I built my system in 2022 with an i7-12700KF and DDR5, and I'm currently using a Radeon 9070 XT after my previous GPU failed. My monitor runs at 5120×1440 and 240 Hz. I'm considering buying the least expensive RTX 5080 I can find, such as a Gainward Python III or Palit model.
My main concern is whether the 12700KF will hold back the 5080. In Cyberpunk 2077, I use Ultra settings with path tracing and performance-mode FSR. The GPU stays around 99–100% usage, while the CPU usually remains below 50%. In Kingdom Come: Deliverance, GPU usage can drop to 80–99% in busy areas such as Rattay, with CPU usage around 35–50% and frame rates in the 40s. Lowering graphics settings does improve performance, but I'm not sure what that says about the bottleneck.
The other issue is my EVGA SuperNOVA GA 850W power supply. It does not have a native 16-pin connector, so I would need to use a 3×8-pin adapter. A newer PSU would still cost less than replacing the CPU and platform. The alternative is an RTX 5070 Ti, possibly an ASUS Prime model, which would be a few hundred euros cheaper and easier to power, but the savings would not be enough for a meaningful DDR5 upgrade.
Would the i7-12700KF and a suitable replacement PSU be enough for an RTX 5080, or would I be better off choosing the 5070 Ti?
3 Answers
A lower-end 5080 plus a new quality PSU is probably the better route than replacing the CPU platform. Your usage numbers suggest the current processor is not limiting you in the games you mentioned. Just remember that there is no universal bottleneck percentage: some games will be GPU-limited, while crowded areas or high-refresh-rate gaming can become CPU-limited.
The bigger concern is the PSU. The 850W unit may work with a 3×8-pin adapter, but it was not designed around the transient-power behavior of newer high-end GPUs. For an RTX 5080, I would replace it with a reputable ATX 3.0 or ATX 3.1 model that has a native 12V-2x6 cable. An 850W unit can be enough if it is high quality, while 1000W gives more headroom for transient spikes and future upgrades. Avoid treating an adapter as equivalent to a modern native connection.
If your GPU is already sitting at 99–100% usage, you are currently GPU-limited in those games. Upgrading the CPU would not improve performance much in that situation, and a 12700KF should be perfectly reasonable for a 5080 at this resolution. Bottlenecks can change from game to game, though, especially in busy open-world areas or at very high frame rates.
I’d rather keep the PSU under about €160 if possible. Would an ADATA XPG Core Reactor II in 850W or 1000W be a suitable choice?