I'm considering an upgrade from my current i5-8600k and 1080 Ti setup. I'm looking at a prebuilt system with a 9800X3D and a 5080 for around $2700, but I'm hesitant. It's tough to explain to my parents why I'd need a new PC when I already have a working one. Plus, I mainly play competitive multiplayer games like League of Legends, Valorant, and Overwatch, not AAA titles.
Since my case is a mid-size from 2017, it seems like the 5080 wouldn't fit. What are some good GPU options in a similar size to the EVGA Nvidia GTX 1080 Ti? Can I reuse my existing HDDs and SSDs easily, or should I expect issues? Also, would I need to repurchase Windows 11? I suspect my system is bottlenecked by the CPU—would pairing a 9800X3D with a 1080 Ti make sense? Currently, I have only one intake fan in a case with limited airflow, which adds to my concerns. It feels like I'm going to have to face some serious parental backlash for a few months unless someone can talk me through this! My entire budget is $2700, which is a huge deal for me.
1 Answer
Honestly, if you get a 9800X3D, it might struggle a lot with your 1080 Ti. Right now, we're facing shortages in RAM and SSDs, which likely won’t change soon. You should ensure you have at least 16GB of RAM, but ideally 32GB for future-proofing. Since GPU prices are rising, investing in a 50-series card might be wise. Even if you're mostly playing esports titles now, it could open up options for other games down the line. Also, consider a case swap for aesthetics if you're looking to upgrade! Just make sure to research and avoid buying used parts unless you're careful, as scams are common right now.
Should I go ahead and finance a 5090, 9800X3D, 64GB DDR5 RAM, and a 2TB SSD for about $4500? Since I spend all my free time on the PC, I feel like if it lasts me 7 years, it’ll be a good investment. Maybe I just need a little push to convince myself!
I wouldn’t say the 9800X3D would bottleneck the 1080 Ti, it’s actually the opposite; the 1080 Ti is the one that holds back the 9800X3D.