My current PC isn't giving me any major problems, but I'd like more graphics performance in some newer games. The system has an MSI RTX 2070, an Intel i5-14600K, a Gigabyte Z790 motherboard, 64GB of Crucial DDR5 using four 16GB sticks, and a Corsair RM650 power supply. I was considering a relatively modest GPU upgrade, such as an RTX 2080 Ti or RTX 3070. I mainly play Dota and CS at 1440p, where the RTX 2070 currently performs well. Would upgrading make sense, and which cards would offer a noticeable improvement?
4 Answers
If you want a noticeable upgrade without spending flagship money, consider a used RTX 3080 or a newer card with at least 12GB of VRAM. A 3070 can be faster, but its 8GB limit makes it less appealing for keeping the card long term. Just check the power requirements before choosing a 3080, since your 650W PSU may be close to the edge depending on the exact model and the rest of the system.
I’d skip the RTX 2080 Ti and RTX 3070 unless you can get one extremely cheaply. They’re older cards, and the performance increase probably won’t feel large enough to justify replacing your 2070. It would be better to wait for a more substantial jump, such as a newer midrange card with modern features and more VRAM.
That makes sense. I’m not especially interested in upgrading just for newer upscaling features, so I may wait for a bigger performance improvement.
If your games are already running well and you’re enjoying them, there’s no real need to upgrade yet. The RTX 2070 is still perfectly capable for games like Dota and CS at 1440p. If you start playing more demanding titles or want higher settings and frame rates, then it makes sense to look at a newer card.
I’m mainly playing Dota and CS at the moment, and they run fine at 1440p with the 2070. I appreciate the input.
Your four 16GB memory sticks are a slightly unusual setup, but there’s no reason to change them if the system is stable and you actually use the capacity. If you don’t need 64GB, selling half while DDR5 prices remain high could help fund a worthwhile GPU upgrade. I’d put that money toward a newer card rather than an RTX 2080 Ti or 3070.
I originally bought two sticks and received the other two as a gift later. Selling half of the kit to help pay for a better GPU might be worth considering.
The price difference compared with a high-end card is huge, so I definitely don’t need something like a 5080. A 3080 or a newer 12GB card sounds more reasonable.