I'm planning to upgrade my PC, starting with the graphics card and case, and possibly the CPU cooler. My current system has an RX 6700 XT, Ryzen 5 5600, 32GB of DDR4-3200 memory, and a 1440p 144Hz monitor.
I mainly play Marvel Rivals, Elden Ring, Wuthering Waves, Arknights: Endfield, Zenless Zone Zero, and similar games. I also plan to play Cyberpunk 2077 and upcoming demanding titles. I'm not aiming for maximum settings or extremely high frame rates, but I'd like to play at high settings around 120–160 FPS when possible. I also do some 3D slicing, although my current GPU handles that without problems.
I'm considering a used RX 9060 XT for about €460 or a used RX 9070 for around €630. New prices are approximately €530 and €750 respectively. The RX 9070 is clearly faster, but I'm unsure whether it is worth spending the extra money for my target resolution and settings. There are also more attractive-looking RX 9060 XT models available, and aesthetics and RGB matter to me.
I've noticed stuttering, lag, and occasional FPS drops in several games. My temperatures are generally fine, rarely exceeding 70°C, and the GPU is usually at 90–100% usage while the CPU sits around 30–40%. Some games remain GPU-limited even when I lower the settings.
For the CPU, I'm considering a Ryzen 7 5700X3D while staying on AM4, or eventually moving to AM5 once DDR5 memory becomes more affordable. Should I upgrade the GPU first, stay with the Ryzen 5 5600 for now, and possibly buy a 5700X3D later? Or would the RX 9070 be too much for this platform?
4 Answers
Before buying anything, I’d verify that the stutters are actually caused by limited GPU performance. Check CPU and GPU temperatures, clock speeds, utilization, frametimes, and whether the issue happens in every game. Some poorly optimized titles can stutter regardless of how powerful the GPU is.
Since your GPU is often near full usage and lowering settings does not always solve the problem, a GPU upgrade could help in some situations, but it may not eliminate every hitch. Drivers, shader compilation, game optimization, storage, and background processes can all contribute.
The RX 9070 makes more sense if you want to keep the card for several years. It offers considerably more performance and will give you more room for high-refresh-rate 1440p gaming, especially in newer demanding games. The Ryzen 5 5600 may limit peak FPS in some CPU-heavy games, but it won’t automatically make the RX 9070 a bad pairing.
I’d prioritize the GPU rather than replacing the platform immediately. You can move to a 5700X3D later if you find your minimum FPS or frametimes are being held back by the CPU.
Be careful not to assume that every upgrade listed is a huge improvement. Compare benchmarks for the exact games and resolutions you play. The RX 9060 XT may be faster and newer than the 6700 XT, but depending on the model and game, the improvement might not feel large enough to justify €460. The RX 9070 is a more substantial upgrade, so I’d either save for that or wait for a better deal rather than buying the 9060 XT solely for its appearance.
I’d avoid rushing into AM5 for now. You already have an AM4 motherboard and 32GB of DDR4, so changing platforms would add the cost of a board and memory on top of everything else. Upgrade the GPU first and see how the Ryzen 5 5600 performs in your games.
At €460 used, the RX 9060 XT is much easier on the budget, and your target settings don’t necessarily require the RX 9070. The 9070 is the better long-term card, though, so if you find a good deal or want more headroom for demanding future games, it would be the stronger purchase. Liking the card’s appearance is also a perfectly reasonable factor when the performance difference meets your needs.
Related Questions
Lenovo Thinkpad Stuck In Update Loop Install FilterDriverU2_Reload