Hey everyone! I'm looking for some advice on my current PC setup. I have an i9 12900k, an EVGA FTW3 Ultra 3090, and 32 GB of Corsair Dominator Platinum DDR4 RAM at 3600mhz. I'm contemplating several options: upgrading to a DDR5 motherboard and RAM, and potentially swapping my CPU for a 13700k or 13900k, which would cost me around $600 to $800. Alternatively, I could sell my current system and use that cash towards a new build with a 4080, 4080 Super, or even a 4090. Another thought I had was downgrading to a 3080 or 3080 Ti since I mostly play games like CS2, R6 Siege, and Minecraft; I could pocket about $200 to $400 from that option to eventually save for a 4080 setup. What do you think I should do - stick with my current system for now or make the leap to upgrade?
2 Answers
Honestly, now might be more of a sellers’ market than a buyers’. If you’re considering a 4080 or 4080 Super, these won’t provide a huge upgrade over the 3090, especially with how prices are trending right now. It could be a better move to wait it out before making a big purchase.
If you're looking to upgrade your CPU, I’d suggest considering switching to an AM5 platform with something like the 7800x3d or 9800x3d. Those CPUs are significantly better for gaming right now and they’ll be compatible with future upgrades. But really, think about your finances: if you can afford it and will notice a real difference in performance, go for it. If not, it might be smarter to hold onto what you've got. Also, since your main games are CPU intensive, the 9800x3d could really give you a boost, especially for Minecraft.
Absolutely agree with this. Also, recent Intel CPUs haven't been great compared to their AMD counterparts, so moving to AMD might be a solid choice. Just keep in mind that upgrading from a 30 series to a 40 series GPU might not give you the performance leap you're hoping for, especially considering your current setup.
Thanks for the insights! I was leaning towards Intel because a friend is giving me a 13700k for free. Do you think going from DDR4 to DDR5 is really worth it? Or should I just stick with my current setup for a while longer?