I'm planning to stop by Micro Center after work and may upgrade my PC. My current system has an Intel Core i9-10900, 32GB of Corsair Vengeance DDR4, an RTX 3080 FTW3 Ultra 10GB, and an ASUS ROG B460-H motherboard. I'm not sure whether my power supply is 600W or 750W. I mainly play Rust and have heard that AMD's X3D processors perform especially well in that game. I'm considering a Ryzen 7 9800X3D with a DDR5 platform, or possibly putting the money toward a 1,000W power supply. I may also use my old GTX 1660 as a second GPU for Lossless Scaling. My budget is around $1,000, though I could spend more if it would give me a platform that lasts longer. Should I choose AMD or Intel, and would a newer Core Ultra processor be a better option? What motherboard and memory should I look for? Can I reuse my DDR4, or would I need DDR5? I'm also using an older iBUYPOWER case and may replace it if its airflow or compatibility is poor.
3 Answers
Check the exact power-supply model before buying anything. A good-quality 750W unit is generally enough for a 3080 and a modern gaming CPU, while 1,000W is mainly worthwhile if the current unit is old, low quality, or you are planning a much more power-hungry future GPU. I would avoid running the GTX 1660 as a second GPU unless you have a specific need and enough cooling and power headroom; it can add heat, consume power, and create driver or software complications. Also verify that the case supports the new motherboard, cooler, GPU length, and adequate front-to-back airflow.
Your existing i9-10900 is still capable, so first confirm what is actually limiting performance in Rust. If you are CPU-limited at the settings and resolution you use, the 9800X3D should provide a meaningful improvement; otherwise, the RTX 3080 may remain the limiting component. A 12900K bundle would also work well with the 3080 and is a decent price if the parts are tested, but it uses an older platform with less upgrade room and may run hotter. I would choose the 9800X3D bundle if the total cost is reasonable and long-term upgradeability matters.
For a gaming-focused upgrade, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D is the stronger choice, especially for a CPU-heavy game like Rust. AM5 requires DDR5, so you would need a new motherboard and memory, but it also gives you a current upgrade path. A Micro Center CPU, motherboard, and RAM bundle is usually the best value. Look for 32GB of DDR5-6000 with reasonably tight timings and a B650/B850 or X670/X870 board; you do not need an expensive flagship motherboard for a 9800X3D.
I found a used bundle with a Core i9-12900K, ASUS Prime Z790 board, 32GB of G.Skill DDR5, and possibly an AIO for $450. Would that be a worthwhile pairing with my RTX 3080, or would the 9800X3D still provide a noticeable improvement?