I recently scored a great deal on an ASUS Strix B450F Gaming motherboard, bundled with a Ryzen 5 3600 and 32GB of 3200MHz RAM, alongside a 750W Gold NZXT PSU. I'm considering adding a new 9070 XT graphics card to this setup but I'm also contemplating if it would be better to invest in a used 6950 XT instead. My main concern is whether I should stick with the Ryzen 5 3600 for now and get the 9070 XT, or if I should buy a new CPU to create a better balanced setup now, especially since I've noticed prices for AM4 CPUs are rising in my area. Will there be a benefit from upgrading the CPU now or should I just buy the GPU?
5 Answers
I'd recommend doing this in stages! Get the 9070 XT first, then monitor how your games utilize CPU and GPU. If you're seeing 40% CPU usage and 100% GPU, then sticking with the 3600 might actually be fine for now. Also keep an eye on how each core performs while gaming.
At 1440p, you might notice a small bottleneck (about 10-20%) with the 3600. You might want to at least upgrade to a 5600X for a more balanced performance. Given the rising prices for AM4 CPUs, it might be a good idea to secure one that's still available.
The 9070 XT should work fine with your 3600, but upgrading the CPU later will definitely help alleviate any limitations. If you're gaming at 1440p or 4K, the bottleneck shouldn't be too concerning right now, so just enjoy the new GPU for now!
Money plays a big role here. If you can afford it, thinking about the future of your build is smart. Prices for AM4 CPUs are likely to keep climbing, so if you can snag one at a decent price, it might be worth getting a CPU first to stay ahead of the game. But if you prefer the GPU now, do it—just keep saving for a good CPU upgrade in the near future!
I wouldn't suggest sticking with the 3600 if you can get a better CPU later. The 5500X3D is a great option for around $150. But really, you'd be limited to PCIe 3.0 with your current setup unless you upgrade both the CPU and motherboard, which can be pricey. If you're looking for balance and longevity, consider going for that GPU first. You can always upgrade the CPU down the line when you're ready.
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