I'm looking to upgrade my current setup, which includes an i9-12900K CPU and an RTX 4070 GPU. I'm considering switching to a Ryzen 7 9800X3D and an RX 9070 XT. Lately, I've noticed some stuttering in games and I wonder if my current CPU isn't handling things as well as I thought, especially at higher settings. I also want something easier to cool, since I have a custom loop cooling system and would only need to buy a new cooling block. Should I wait for better parts or buy these relatively new components now to avoid potential price hikes?
7 Answers
Most folks here would probably recommend just upgrading your GPU for now. It seems like a more straightforward improvement without going all-in on a complete overhaul.
What games are you into and what's your current resolution? The i9-12900K is still pretty solid, but the Ryzen could shine in specific situations. Your upgrade decision might depend on the games you're playing and their system demands.
I'm mostly playing at 3440 x 1440p and 160hz with titles like KCD2 and CP77, usually on medium to high settings with ray tracing. Gotta keep my Minecraft with RT mods running smoothly too!
After upgrading PCs for over 35 years, I can tell you there's always something faster just around the corner. If gaming's your focus, GPU upgrades usually yield better results, and you can typically get a decent run from a modern CPU without chasing every detail.
I totally feel you. I have so many games already; I just want to keep my hardware up to date while enjoying what I have!
Zen 6 AM5 CPUs and major GPU releases are likely not showing up until 2027. If you're okay waiting a year, that could be a good option, but going with what's available now could save you money as prices rise.
I'm seriously considering just going for it. The bundle price for the Ryzen and RAM is around $650, which seems like a fair trade-off when taking the prices into account.
Honestly, I'd suggest trying to fix your current setup instead of a whole upgrade right now. There isn't much of a performance increase to justify it.
I’ve been working on this rig for years, so I’m not confused but I see where you’re coming from. The 4070 does its job, but the new 9070 XT would give me significant benefits.
Honestly, that looks like a pretty small upgrade to me. I usually upgrade only when I can see a 70-100% performance increase, which doesn't seem like the case here.
I get that; still, the complete upgrade with CPU, motherboard, and 32GB of RAM is about $670. Plus, I could use some extra RAM for another rig. It just feels like a good deal overall.
From what I’ve seen, you might be looking at a 20-30% performance bump with the new setup, but that's iffy. Supply and demand might push prices up further next year, so buying now might be a smart move.
I calculated it closer to 30%. Prices are climbing fast; my 4070 is only worth $320 now after I paid $500 years ago. I can't imagine what newer models will cost!
True, but I'm also looking to add more RAM for some large VMs. The full upgrade with the CPU and RAM isn't that much more expensive than just getting new RAM alone.