I'm currently using a Ryzen 5 1500x and a 1660 Super along with a 144Hz 1080p monitor and a Rift S for VR gaming. I mainly enjoy racing games like Trackmania 2020, iRacing, and Assetto Corsa, plus some popular shooters like Warzone, Fortnite, and Rocket League. My goal is to hit at least 144fps in most games, but that's been a challenge with my current setup. The Rift S is also struggling, especially since iRacing's latest updates.
Now, I'm planning to upgrade to a Ryzen 7 5800XT, and I'm torn between several GPUs in the $400–500 range: the 3070ti, 4060ti, 7700xt, or 5060ti. I've seen a lot of dialogue about the 8GB VRAM versions and their performance issues. I don't plan on diving into many new AAA titles soon, so I don't think the 8GB VRAM will be a deal-breaker for me, especially since most of my favorites don't really use DLSS or the latest tech.
Also, I'm looking to upgrade to a 240Hz monitor and a VR headset that can handle 120Hz. I want to have smooth experiences, particularly in iRacing VR. Is it feasible to consider a 1440p 240Hz monitor with this setup, or would 1080p at 240Hz or 1440p at 144Hz be the better choice? My experience has mostly been with 1080p on an older build, so I'm unsure what I'd be missing out on by not moving to 1440p.
3 Answers
If you can, consider a Ryzen 7000 or 9000 CPU, since DDR5 RAM is awesome for the games you mentioned. But just a heads up, going for 1440p might mean giving up on your 240Hz dreams.
The 5800XT is only worth it if you can nab it for around $150-160. If it’s priced higher, just go for the 5700X instead. Also, keep in mind that 8GB of VRAM can be a limiting factor in some games, so I wouldn't spend over $300 on a GPU with that amount. Upgrading from 1080p to 1440p is a game-changer too—much more noticeable than just bumping up to 240Hz.
Actually, the 5800XT is on sale for $130 on Amazon right now, which I just picked up! I’m just trying to figure out which GPU will complete my build. Peripherals will be my next priority once I choose the right graphics card.
I'd suggest looking at the 3080 10GB or the RX 6750xt if you want solid performance for your games. For high FPS, a 1080p 240Hz monitor is fantastic, but a 1440p monitor at 144Hz gives a nice picture quality too. Just make sure to check your PSU—some models, especially the 3080, need three 8-pin PCIE connections to avoid issues.
My motherboard only supports up to the 5000 series, so I didn't want to overspend there. I think moving from 1080p to 240Hz is more crucial for me in competitive gaming than the jump to 1440p.