I'm currently using a Ryzen 5 9600X alongside an RX 7900 XT on a 3440x1440 display. I've noticed that in some older games and in Cyberpunk, my CPU hits 100% usage while the GPU only reaches around 70%, which seems like a bottleneck. I'm considering spending around 310 € ($365) to upgrade to a 7800X3D, but I'm unsure if it's a good investment or if I should hold off. Any thoughts?
4 Answers
Try turning off your performance metrics and see if you genuinely notice any stuttering or lag in gameplay. I played Cyberpunk at 1080p with a similar GPU and didn't see much of a problem, so it might not be as bad as you're thinking.
It's interesting that you're experiencing this bottleneck. Normally, a 9600X shouldn't cause that kind of issue at 3440x1440, especially with a powerful GPU like the 7900 XT. You might want to check what programs are running in the background and keep an eye on your temperatures to ensure everything is cooling properly. Overall, while the 7800X3D is definitely faster, I'm not sure it's necessary for you right now. Unless you're aiming for super high frame rates all the time (like 144+ FPS), it might be fine to stick with your current setup.
I recommend tuning your CPU before rushing to upgrade. Have you tried undervolting it? Also, consider your cooling system; it could affect performance. Honestly, being CPU bottlenecked in Cyberpunk at that resolution is unusual. If you can wait, the 9800X3D might be a better upgrade down the line, especially once the prices settle after the 10800X3D releases.
If you aren't using ray tracing and turned off supersampling, at your resolution you should typically get decent performance. Hitting 60-80 FPS in crowded areas isn't crazy, especially if your CPU is also working hard. It seems odd for a 9600X to struggle that much, so consider checking background processes or possible thermal throttling.

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