I've had my 1080ti since November 2017 and have been holding off on an upgrade, but by 2025, it really started struggling with 1440p gaming, especially on titles like Oblivion and Kingdom Come Deliverance 2. I recently bought a 5080 and now I'm looking for advice on selecting a CPU and motherboard that will provide good longevity, similar to my experience with the 1080ti.
My main focus is gaming and streaming at 1440p, with some light use for Excel. I'm considering the 7800X3D since most games at 1440p will likely be bottlenecked by the GPU rather than the CPU. However, I'm also contemplating the 9800X3D. The last build I had a mediocre CPU that I eventually upgraded, so I'm thinking it might make sense to start with the 7800X3D this time and upgrade later. I appreciate any thoughts or recommendations! Check out my PCPartPicker list for the build details!
3 Answers
The 7800X3D is still a fantastic gaming CPU, only slightly behind the 9000X3D models at 1440p. Given how high the prices are for the 9800X3D, which can be $150 more than the 7800X3D, I wouldn't say it's worth it right now.
I have some suggestions to save around $300 while keeping similar performance:
- **CPU Cooler:** Consider a more affordable 240mm AIO cooler or even an air cooler like the Thermalright Phantom Spirit, which performs well at a lower cost.
- **Motherboard:** You might want to look at a B850 with WiFi and Bluetooth; they have newer features without the premium price of the X670E.
- **Other components:** Aim for lower-cost alternatives for RAM, storage, and PSU too! Overall, I think you can save a lot and still maintain performance.
Honestly, I don't think Nvidia will sell another card that lasts as long as the 1080ti did. It’s hard to match that kind of longevity.
But I get it, it's a bummer! Maybe mount the old one on the wall for some nostalgia vibes.
Sigh, I know this is true, but a man can dream. I'm genuinely thinking of framing my 1080ti and mounting it!
I have a similar setup with the same CPU and mobo using a 5080, and I think the 7800X3D will serve you well, especially at higher resolutions.
One recommendation would be to ensure you're using a PSU from the latest ATX 3.1 models. Also, your cooler looks a bit overkill, but it's a nice aesthetic choice. If you're chasing pure performance, the 9800X3D might perform slightly better, but your current setup is solid.
Thanks for the suggestion!
Appreciate the detailed suggestions! I'm leaning towards the air cooler because I've had great experiences with liquid cooling, but I will definitely research more on that. I'm also looking into the mobo since there are sales going on right now. I’ll likely take your suggestions unless someone else has more ideas! Thanks a ton!