Hey everyone! I'm on a bit of a tight budget with my current setup, which includes an i7 8700k, a 1080ti, and 32GB of DDR4 RAM. I'm wondering if upgrading my GPU would provide a noticeable performance boost, even though I suspect my CPU might bottleneck the upgrade. Or should I hold off for now, wait until my finances are healthier, and go all out with a complete overhaul—new motherboard, CPU, DDR5, and GPU? I'd really appreciate any advice you might have. Thanks in advance!
3 Answers
If you're looking for an upgrade now, check out used machines with a 3070 or 3070 ti for about $600. You could likely sell your current setup for around $400. Right now, you may not have a solid upgrade path, so this could be a good move for you.
If your budget is really tight, it might be best to wait. Upgrading to DDR5 is currently more expensive than it's worth, and a 1080ti is still decent. If you're set on upgrading, you could spend around $500 for an AM4 motherboard and a Ryzen 5 5600, plus a GPU that allows for 1440p gaming. But really, I'd recommend waiting another year or so—you’ll still handle most games at 1080p high settings in the meantime.
I've had an i7 8700k with a 3090 for a while, and while I did face some CPU limitations, it wasn't unbearable. If you're on a budget, upgrade to a better GPU first. By the time you're ready for a full upgrade, hopefully prices will drop.
Waiting seems like a smart choice, thanks for your thoughts!