I'm currently using a Ryzen 7 5800X paired with a 5070Ti graphics card and I've been running into performance bottlenecks during CPU-heavy games. To address this, I'm planning to upgrade to the AM5 platform. I've already purchased 32GB of DDR5 RAM for $200, but I'm unsure which CPU to choose. I'm considering either the Ryzen 7 7800X3D or the Ryzen 7 9700X, but the 7800X3D is stretching my budget. I mainly play games like Squad and Arma Reforged at 1440p and I often stream with multiple applications running. I'm looking for a CPU that will minimize bottlenecks on my GPU without breaking the bank. Any advice?
3 Answers
I grabbed a 7800X3D for about $315, and it's been fantastic for my gaming needs! If you're looking for something cheaper though, check out the 9600X on Newegg; it’s around $185 and even comes with a free AIO cooler. That might be worth considering if the 7800X3D is too pricey for you.
You could go for the 9700X now, but you might find yourself wanting to upgrade again in a year or two when newer models like the 7800X3D come out. If you can swing the price, the 7800X3D could future-proof you for a longer period, avoiding the need for an upgrade for at least five years.
I have the 7800X3D and 5070Ti combo, and I play Squad with settings cranked up to max at 1440p. I'm hitting around 110 FPS on average, but keep in mind that Squad isn't the most optimized game out there. Still, I think you're making a solid choice going for the 7800X3D if you can manage it financially.

That sounds awesome! I struggle with FPS drops depending on my location in-game, so I usually cap it low for a smoother experience. Glad to hear the 7800X3D is performing well!