I'm mostly using my PC for work and gaming. I work remotely and often have a ton of tabs open, in addition to programs like VSCode, Microsoft Teams, etc. When I switch to gaming, I sometimes leave applications open due to various reasons.
Here's my current setup:
- MSI x570 gaming edge wifi motherboard
- Ryzen 5 5800x CPU, paired with 32GB of 3600MHz DDR4 RAM
- Noisy 280MM AIO cooler that's due for an upgrade
- RX 6700XT GPU
- Dual monitor setup: one 27" 1080p 120Hz and another 24" 1080p 60Hz.
I'm looking to improve my gaming performance while maintaining my multitasking capabilities. Right now, my 6700XT experiences lag in fullscreen mode and has annoying micro stutters. If I underclock, it crashes after 1-2 hours of gaming. I've noticed a 9700XT for around $750 total, but I'm also considering the pricey 9800X3D. What do you suggest I upgrade first? I might need a new motherboard for an AM5 processor, which is a significant investment.
3 Answers
I have a setup somewhat similar to yours and I've noticed similar issues. You might be facing GPU problems, and if your AIO cooler is failing, your CPU could be thermal throttling, which complicates things.
If budget is a concern, try replacing your AIO cooler first and do a fresh install of your AMD drivers. If issues persist, then a GPU upgrade might be the way to go.
Consider getting a better cooler like the Thermalright Phantom Spirit along with that 9700XT. Upgrading the CPU likely won’t significantly improve gaming performance at this stage.
I’d recommend upgrading your GPU first. It sounds like your RX 6700 XT might actually be causing some issues, given the lag and stuttering you've mentioned.
Yeah, I've been stressed about AMD's driver issues lately too. They're a pain!
Is that cooler really capable of handling the 5800x? My current AIO is running hot, 60-70°C idle and hitting 85-90°C when gaming.