I've got a gaming rig that includes a GeForce RTX 2080, 16GB of RAM, and an Intel i7-8700K CPU, which I bought as a pre-built system from iBUYPOWER back in 2017. Lately, I've been playing Ark Raiders with my friends who are getting over 150 frames per second with their 3060 and 4070 GPUs, while I'm only hitting around 50-75 fps. Should I consider upgrading my CPU, GPU, or both? What do you think I should focus on first?
5 Answers
If you're ready to invest, this is a great time to do so! Upgrading can really make a difference in your gaming experience. You might want to consider a solid CPU and GPU combo. A Ryzen 5 5600X with a B450 motherboard, paired with a used 3070Ti or 3080, would be fantastic!
Honestly, your 2080 is still solid, but the CPU needs an upgrade for better gaming performance, especially in CPU-heavy titles. If budgets allow, check out the latest Ryzen 7 or Intel 13th/14th gen combos! That should keep you future-proofed for a while.
It sounds like your i7-8700K might be the biggest bottleneck for Ark Raiders more than the 2080 itself. I’d recommend looking into upgrading your CPU and motherboard first to get rid of the RAM compatibility issues. You could find suitable options on PCPartPicker!
Since your PC is getting older, consider repasting the CPU and GPU. I know it sounds intimidating, but with some basic tools, it's doable. This could give you a nice performance boost! Beyond that, if you're looking for serious upgrades, you’ll probably want to switch to a DDR5 setup which can get pricey.
I've got a similar setup and already swapped my GPU, but I noticed the CPU is definitely holding me back, especially in demanding games. If you can only upgrade one thing, a new RTX GPU would help, but it'll be limited until you swap out that old i7. Just something to keep in mind!
True! Just to add, if you’re focused on newer titles, pair an upgraded GPU with DLSS for better performance, but the CPU will need changes for the best results.