I've been slowly piecing together my PC and I've hit a bit of a snag. Here's what I've got so far: a Merc310 7900XTX graphics card, 2x16GB CL30 6000MHz RAM, a Be Quiet Pure Rock Pro 3 cooler, and a Corsair rm1000x power supply. The only thing I'm missing now is the CPU. Initially, I was set on getting a 7800X3D, but while researching, I found some competitive alternatives that are a bit cheaper. My goal is to game at 1080p 165Hz for now, with an upgrade to 1440p 165Hz in the future, aiming for max settings without FSR or Frame Gen. I also foresee doing some recording, editing, or streaming down the line.
The CPU options I'm considering are the 7800X3D, 7700X, and 9700X. Prices in Serbia are currently: 7800X3D at 42,255RSD (about 360,3 EUR), 7700X at 33,410RSD (285 EUR), and 9700X at 31,490RSD (268.6 EUR). I can get a small discount on these prices thanks to some promo codes I have. Although the 7800X3D is slightly above my budget, I could manage it. I'm wondering if I should choose a cheaper CPU and invest the savings into higher M.2 storage instead. Also, is there another processor I might have overlooked that offers similar performance at a better price? Oh, and I hope to avoid upgrading for at least 3-4 years! Thanks for any help!
2 Answers
It really depends on how you're planning to use your PC. If gaming is your primary focus, the 7800X3D will give you the best performance, especially for high settings at 1440p. However, if you do more multitasking, the other options might serve you better for a lower price.
If it’s just for gaming, I’d definitely lean towards the 7800X3D, especially if the price difference from the 9700X isn't too great. CPUs can be a pain to sell later if you decide to upgrade, whereas storage can be added later. Investing in the better CPU might pay off in the long run.
I found prices on a local site that seem reasonable, like the 9600X for about 24,500RSD (around 209 EUR). If you're looking at alternatives, it might be worth checking that out as well!
Yeah, I would also say that if you're mainly gaming but might stream in the future, the extra power of the 7800X3D could be worth it. It might save you the hassle of upgrading sooner.