I currently have an Intel i7-8700K paired with a GTX 1080 and I'm considering an upgrade. I'm curious if it makes sense to just replace the GPU, or if my aging CPU will bottleneck any new graphics card I choose. I've read that I could upgrade to a 7800 XT without major issues. I mostly play 1440p games across RTS, open-world RPGs, and first-person shooters. What's the best upgrade path?
5 Answers
Just grab a used 4070 or 3080 for now! Your 8700K still holds up for the time being, and you can always improve your setup later.
You're right that RTS and FPS games tend to be more CPU-intensive, but upgrading the GPU is often the easiest route to take. Your 8700K still performs quite well compared to newer models, and you'd see a nice performance boost with a better GPU. Check out some updated reviews!
Upgrading to a 9900K could help, but honestly, the performance gains might not justify the expense. Maybe consider a whole new build with a Ryzen 7600 down the line instead.
If you're not looking to upgrade your CPU anytime soon, a used RTX 3080 could be a solid choice. It offers great performance while keeping with your current setup.
Keep in mind, any new GPU will likely bottleneck with your current CPU. If you're looking for a performance boost now, what's a reasonable upgrade? You can always switch to a new build when the time is right.
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