Hey everyone! I'm planning to upgrade my current setup from an i5-10600K to a new Ryzen CPU and I'm torn between the 7800X3D and the 9800X3D. The prices here are $420 for the 7800X3D and $550 for the 9800X3D. I mainly play strategy and simulation games like Europa Universalis IV. Also, I'm unsure if my current CPU cooler, the Be Quiet! Pure Rock 2, can handle the upgrade without needing to be replaced. Any thoughts or recommendations? Thanks!
3 Answers
I recently upgraded to the 9800X3D from a similar i5 and it's been a game-changer! With the extra power, games that used to hit 80% CPU usage are now smooth as butter. Just make sure you have decent cooling – I went with an AIO cooler and it keeps everything under control. If you're okay spending a bit more now, I recommend the 9800X3D. You'll likely appreciate it for its longevity in gaming performance.
For simulation games, I would lean towards the 9000 series like the 9800X3D. They have a better IPC uplift which really shows up in titles like Stellaris or in general real-time calculations. You might want to check benchmarks for simulation games to see if the 3D V-Cache gives you the performance you’re after. I'm even considering the 9600X myself for EUV.
That's useful info! I hadn’t considered how the architecture impacts those specific games. Thanks!
If you can afford the extra $130 for the 9800X3D without breaking the bank, it might be worth it for the performance boost, especially since you'll have it for years. But if money’s tight, you could save that cash for other upgrades. Remember, upgrading to AMD will also require a new motherboard and DDR5 RAM, so that’s something to factor in too! As for your cooler, the Be Quiet! Pure Rock 2 should be fine since it's rated for 150W and the 9800X3D has a TDP of 120W. Just make sure to grab an AM5 mounting kit from Be Quiet! if you want to keep it.
Great point about the motherboard and RAM! It's easy to overlook those costs when considering CPU upgrades.
Nice! That's encouraging to hear. Did you undervolt it at all? I’m curious about how that affects temps.