I recently ordered this AM5 gaming build as an upgrade from a Core i5-8400 and RTX 2060, mainly for 1440p gaming:
- Intel Arc B580 — $429.99 CAD
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X — $209.99 CAD
- ASRock B650M Pro RS — $139.99 CAD
- Micro-ATX View 170 TG case — $80.99 CAD
- MSI MAG A650BN 650W PSU — $84.99 CAD
- Thermalright Assassin King 120 SE cooler — $24.59 CAD
- 16GB DDR5 Thor Gen 2 memory — $319.99 CAD
- Existing SSD
After looking into the parts, I'm concerned that the B580 may be a weaker match for the 7600X. I'm considering returning the B580 and 650W power supply, then buying a used ZOTAC RTX 3080 10GB along with a new 750W PSU. The change would cost about $150 CAD more than my current setup. Would the extra performance make this upgrade worthwhile for 1440p gaming?
2 Answers
There’s no single permanent bottleneck in a PC; it depends on the game, resolution, settings, and whether you’re targeting high frame rates. With this build, the GPU will usually be the limiting part at 1440p, which is generally what you want. The bigger concern is the 16GB of RAM. Modern games can use enough memory that 32GB would be a much better target, so check whether that listed price is an error and consider a 2x16GB kit.
Buying a used GPU is usually reasonable if you can test it, but replacing the PSU with a new 750W unit is the safer choice. I would avoid a used power supply, since a failing one can potentially damage other components. Also inspect the 3080 for excessive heat, fan noise, or signs of heavy mining use, and remember that it may need fresh thermal paste or pads.
The RTX 3080 would provide a clear performance increase over the B580, especially at 1440p. Your 7600X is more than capable of supporting either card, so I wouldn’t worry about the CPU being a serious bottleneck. For only about $150 CAD more, a used 3080 can be a worthwhile upgrade as long as the card is in good condition and you can verify its temperatures and stability.
The 3080 and PSU would be the used GPU and new PSU respectively. My old system doesn’t have an AM4 motherboard, so moving to a 5800X3D platform wouldn’t really save me the cost of a new motherboard. I’m mainly trying to get a stronger GPU for 1440p rather than keep the older graphics card.