I'm thinking about upgrading my CPU to either a 9800X3D or a 9850X3D to pair with my RTX 5070 Ti. I usually play at 1440p. Currently, I have a 7500F, which I feel might be holding me back. I also have 32GB of DDR5 RAM running at 5200MHz. The prices I'm seeing are $472 for the 9800X3D and $492 for the 9850X3D, and there's a promo for the 9800X3D that includes an AMD hoodie and a Crimson Desert game key. The 9850X3D comes with just the game key since I'm buying it from a non-retail but trusted seller. Do you think it's worth the jump to get one of these new CPUs, or should I just stick with my current setup?
6 Answers
You might want to consider your monitor's specs too, like refresh rates and what games you're playing. Those factors really impact whether an upgrade is necessary or beneficial for you.
I say go for the upgrade! The 7500F is decent, but with a better CPU, you might notice improved performance and fewer frame drops, especially in demanding games.
I'm all for the 9800X3D! It's a solid choice, and for just a little bit more, the 9850X3D is tempting too—better future-proofing, you know?
I'm leaning toward the 9850, but I'm not sure what kind of difference it makes.
In my experience, the upgrade might not be that noticeable unless you're playing CPU-heavy games. I moved from a 7900X to a 7800X3D and didn’t see much difference in most titles, but games like Star Citizen and Baldur's Gate 3 really benefitted from the new CPU. Also, consider overclocking your RAM—it could help! But if you're mainly playing at 4K and are GPU-limited, maybe just stick with what you've got until the next-gen chips hit.
I honestly don't think it's worth the upgrade. The 7500F should perform well enough for most games. If you're not noticing any issues right now, it might not make sense to switch, especially with new generation CPUs coming out soon. Just wait for those before making a jump you might regret.
I think it's worth it! Going from a 7700X to a 9800X3D gave me a major boost in performance in multiple games, so if you can swing it, go for it!
But is it really worth the extra 20 bucks for the 9850X3D? What do you think?