I’m moving from a 2070 Super to 1440p gaming. A local listing has a 4070 Ti Super, Ryzen 9 3900X, 64GB of RAM, and a 1TB NVMe drive for £1,000. I could instead keep my 5600X system and spend about £750 on a 9070 XT and a new PSU. Which route makes more sense?
Should I buy this used PC or just upgrade my GPU?
Asked by
7.2mm
Answers
I’d keep the current platform and put the money toward the GPU and PSU. The 5600X is already a capable gaming CPU, and the 3900X isn’t a clear gaming upgrade. The used tower adds RAM and storage, but those extras don’t seem worth paying for if your main goal is better 1440p performance.
Reply to this answer
Before buying either option, compare the actual prices of new GPUs available where you are. £1,000 is a lot to spend on an entire used system when you already have a decent base, but £750 for a GPU and PSU is also worth checking against current alternatives. Make sure the PSU is properly rated for the card you choose.
Reply to this answer
The 4070 Ti Super is appealing, but I’d treat a local used deal as something to inspect carefully, not an automatic bargain. Ask to see it running under load, check that the exact parts match the listing, and avoid paying before you’ve verified the machine works. If you can’t test it, the risk may not be worth the savings.
7.2mm:
Good point. I can probably ask to see it running before deciding.
Reply to this answer
For 1440p, I’d prioritize the graphics card and keep the 5600X for now. If a particular game later shows the CPU holding things back, you can consider a CPU upgrade then. No need to replace a working platform just because a used bundle looks like more hardware for the money.
Reply to this answer
Add your answer
Answers are reviewed before publication.
maple!x3:
That’s the part I was unsure about. Sounds like the listed CPU isn’t a good reason to switch.