I'm looking to upgrade my old gaming setup because I'm struggling to run some of my favorite strategy games and CRPGs. Right now, I have a GTX 1660 Super and an Intel i7 4790K, but they aren't cutting it anymore, especially with games like Total War: Warhammer 3. I'm sticking with 1080p gaming, so I'm not concerned about higher resolutions. I'm considering an Intel ARC B580 GPU paired with a Ryzen 7 7800x3D CPU and a B650-S motherboard.
I know this combo might be budget-friendly, especially since the ARC B580 has 12GB of VRAM compared to the RTX 4060's 8GB. However, I've heard that the Ryzen 7 7800x3D might be overkill for this setup, but I think it's a good investment for future upgrades. I'm new to building PCs, so I'm open to learning about any mistakes I might be making. Any thoughts on whether this combo would work well for my gaming needs?
4 Answers
You really don’t need the x3d version of the Ryzen CPU unless you're going for very specific games that take advantage of it. In benchmarks, the 7800x3D only shows slight improvements over cheaper options like the 7700x for the games you mentioned. Focusing on a better GPU might yield better results for you since most of your games will lean more towards GPU performance than CPU power.
Honestly, I think that's a pretty solid option for the types of games you're playing. If I were you, I might look for bundles at local stores like MicroCenter for some sweet deals. I saw the Ryzen 7 7800x3D is about $341 on Amazon right now, so definitely check those prices in your area.
I'd suggest skipping the x3d and investing in a stronger GPU instead. There are plenty of options out there that could give you better performance overall without breaking the bank. Trust me; the B580 may have more VRAM, but it comes with its own challenges you’ll want to be cautious about as you upgrade.
The combo is a bit unusual but could work well for games like Stellaris. Just a heads up, the motherboard might not be as future-proof as you'd hope, especially regarding VRM and cooling quality. That's something to consider if you plan on upgrading in the future.
Thanks for the advice! Unfortunately, I'm in South Africa, so prices can be a bit crazy here. I'll keep an eye out for deals, though!