Hey everyone! I'm in a bit of a dilemma regarding my gaming setup. Currently, I'm running an i7 8700K @ 4.8GHz with 16GB of 2666MHz RAM and a 3070Ti with 8GB VRAM. I mainly game at 1440p, but I've been experiencing some annoying stutters and spikes even when lowering the graphics settings. I'm considering upgrading to either the AMD 9800X3D CPU or the 5070Ti GPU but I would love to hear your advice. Which upgrade do you think should come first? Thanks for your help!
4 Answers
I think the 9800X3D is a solid choice for a CPU upgrade, especially considering how well it performs. If money isn’t an issue, go for it! Once that's done, you can think about a GPU upgrade in the future when the next generation launches.
Good point! That CPU will definitely help with overall performance.
I’d recommend upgrading your CPU. The 8700K is aging, and a CPU like the 9800X3D will reduce stuttering significantly. Your 3070 Ti is still a great card for 1440p, so let it be for now until you're ready for an upgrade.
For sure! A good CPU can completely change the gaming experience.
Well said! You'll notice a big difference in gaming.
Definitely go for the CPU upgrade first! The 8700K is getting pretty old and is likely the bottleneck in your system. If you check your CPU usage while gaming and see it's maxed out, then upgrading to the 9800X3D would help a lot. The GPU can handle 1440p pretty well, but it won't perform at its best if the CPU is holding it back.
Yeah, I agree! I've checked my CPU usage and it does get pretty high at times during gaming.
Exactly! An upgrade to that CPU will give you way better performance with your current GPU.
If you don't play super GPU-intensive games, the 3070 Ti should still be decent for 1440p. I'd focus on getting the new CPU first, then plan for a new GPU later. The newer GPUs will just be wasted potential if your CPU is the bottleneck.
That's a good strategy! Plus, new GPUs are really pricey right now.
Totally agree! Focus on the CPU first and see how it goes.
For sure! Just make sure your motherboard can support it.