What Should I Upgrade for Better 1440p Gaming Performance?

Honestly, I'd suggest focusing on the GPU first, then look at your CPU and RAM. That's typically the way to go!

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly GPU upgrade, consider the RX 6700 XT or the RX 7800 XT. They should give you a nice bump in performance without breaking the bank.

For a more budget-friendly start, upgrade your CPU first! A 5600X or 5700X would be a good choice and might be cheaper than a new GPU. You're gonna need a solid CPU to keep up with those AAA games at 1440p.

Any GPU better than a 3060 would be a solid upgrade since the RX 6650 XT is around that performance level. If you don't mind missing out on DLSS, the 3070 or 3080 would work well. For those features, a 4070 or 4070 Super is your best bet. Just be careful with going beyond a 5070; your CPU might start to cause issues at 1440p.

It sounds like your CPU might be holding you back in some games due to its lower clock speed and cache. If you just want to upgrade your GPU, go for options like the 3080 or 4070 if you're okay with used ones. For new, consider the 9060XT or the 5060TI. If you want something more powerful with ray tracing, the 5070 is worth checking out too. However, I’d really recommend looking into upgrading your CPU as well, maybe to a 5700X or 5600X for better productivity and gaming performance.