I built a new PC about two months ago with a Ryzen 7 9800X3D, but I kept using my older RTX 2080 Super. The system is powered by a Corsair RM750x from 2019. At 1440p, it handles the games I mainly play—Escape from Tarkov, Marvel Rivals, League of Legends, and similar titles—well enough, although it usually does not reach my 200 Hz monitor's full refresh rate.
I have been considering a GPU upgrade, but I do not currently feel a strong need for one. I occasionally play demanding single-player games, with Baldur's Gate 3 being the most recent example, but I am worried that rising demand from AI could make graphics cards even more expensive later. Should I buy a new GPU within the next few months, wait six months to a year, or simply keep using the 2080 Super until it fails? I also do some After Effects work, so CUDA support is important. Another option would be subscribing to GeForce NOW whenever a demanding game comes along that I want to play.
4 Answers
The RTX 5070 is already a very noticeable step up from the 2080 Super and should be a good fit if you want better performance without spending on the higher tier. The 5070 Ti gives you more headroom for demanding games and ray tracing, so it is the better pick if the price difference is reasonable. Either way, your 750-watt power supply should generally be adequate, assuming it is in good condition and you use the proper power cable or adapter.
If you are not currently running into performance problems, there is no urgent reason to upgrade. A GPU purchase is usually best justified by a specific limitation rather than fear of future pricing. Your 2080 Super can still handle your current games at 1440p, and you can reassess when a game you actually want to play becomes too demanding. GeForce NOW could also be a reasonable temporary solution for occasional AAA releases, assuming the streaming quality and game availability work for you.
For a longer-term 1440p upgrade, the RTX 5070 Ti is the more comfortable choice, especially for newer AAA games and ray tracing. The RTX 5070 is still a substantial upgrade from a 2080 Super and should be good if you are willing to lower a few settings over time, but its 12 GB of VRAM may become more restrictive in future titles. Since you need CUDA for After Effects, sticking with Nvidia makes sense. I would compare the actual price gap between the two cards rather than upgrading solely because prices might rise.
Prices could move in either direction, so trying to perfectly time the market is difficult. If your current card still meets your needs, waiting is completely defensible. If you find a good deal on a 5070 or 5070 Ti and know you will use the extra performance, buying now makes more sense than upgrading preemptively just because of speculation.
I am mainly deciding between the 5070 and 5070 Ti. Path tracing is tempting, but I am not sure whether it is practical on the 5070.