Hey everyone! I'm looking to boost my PC performance and I'm torn between upgrading my GPU or CPU. Right now, I've got a Ryzen 5600X, an RX 6750 XT, and 32GB of RAM, all running on a 1440p monitor. I mainly game on competitive FPS titles like CS2, Valorant, and Battlefield 6. My thought was to either go for a new CPU with a motherboard and RAM like the 7800X3D or 9700X, or upgrade my GPU to something like the RX 9070 XT or 5070. Cost-wise, both options seem pretty similar. What would give me a better gaming experience?
8 Answers
Battlefield 6 is quite demanding on the CPU, so an upgrade there might really help with performance. For GPU-heavy games at 1440p, investing in a 9070 or 9070 XT will also provide a significant boost if you get the right card. Just be aware that if you do upgrade your GPU, you might still experience some CPU bottlenecks in your main games.
Going for the 7800X3D means you'll need a whole new motherboard and DDR5 RAM, which can be a hit to the wallet compared to simply swapping out the CPU. On AM4, your upgrade options are limited to cards like the 5700X3D or 5800X3D, but they’re becoming harder to find and more expensive. The RX 6750 XT is still a good card, so consider whether the upgrade is truly worth it for you.
I've had the 5600X with a GTX 2080 Ti. I went for a GPU upgrade, grabbed a 5080 instead, and planned to do a full system upgrade next year. Looking back, it was a solid move even though I’m feeling some CPU limits in games like BF6 right now.
In the end, it depends on your gaming style. If those two are your main games, I'd suggest upgrading to a 7800X3D along with 32GB of DDR5 RAM, but if you're also thinking about future games or cranking up graphics settings, the 9070 or 9070 XT might serve you better.
If competitive gaming is your main concern, you should definitely think about upgrading the CPU. However, your best bet would be the 5700 or 5800X3D, which are really pricey right now. Transitioning to AM5 will cost you between $750 to $850, which feels too steep. Alternatively, pairing a 9600X with a new GPU like the 9070 XT could provide a decent upgrade without breaking the bank.
Based on your gaming preferences, I'd lean towards a CPU upgrade.
I also have the same CPU and GPU as you, and I found that upgrading to a 5900X made a noticeable difference compared to waiting for AM5. It was more impactful than expected, especially for rendering in FSR, but the GPU still remains important for high settings at 1440p.
It really comes down to which GPU you're considering and what your overall budget looks like. If the plan is for a 9070 XT, that seems feasible on your budget.
My budget’s around 5k here in Brazil, either for the GPU or for the CPU/mobo/DDRAM combo.
Totally get that the 7800X3D setup would cost me about the same as the GPU!