Hey everyone! I'm looking for some advice on whether I should upgrade my current CPU from an 8600K running at 5.1GHz to a 9800X3D. Just to give you some context, I'm nearing 40 and have transitioned from competitive games to more story-driven titles. My gaming time has significantly decreased, averaging between 2 and 8 hours a week. I use a delidded 8600K with a 3080 GPU and 16GB of 3200MHz RAM. I mostly play at a desk with a 1440p 144Hz monitor about 15% of the time; the rest of the time, I'm on my couch playing on a 4K 60Hz TV, often using HDMI 2.1 and peripherals through a dock.
I've been building PCs for over a decade and generally upgrade in a cycle of CPU, motherboard, and RAM or GPU. Lately, I've been feeling the strain of less-than-ideal performance, especially with 1% lows impacting gameplay. I'm currently set on the 9800X3D for its performance benefits at both 1440p and 4K. However, I'm considering whether it makes more sense to save up for a mid-range CPU like the 9700X and upgrade my GPU down the line instead. I really appreciate any thoughts you all might have.
2 Answers
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If you're on a budget, I recommend putting your money into a higher-end GPU rather than a new CPU right now. From my experience testing the 5080 and 5090 with both a 10600K and a 13700K, at 4K resolution, the CPU difference was minimal—only about a 6% performance gap. Given that, you might get more bang for your buck by maximizing your GPU investment first and considering a CPU upgrade later.
Thanks for the tip! I've seen some reviews on the 5080; how does it perform with the 10600K?