I built my PC back in 2020 with an i9 10850K CPU, 7900GRE GPU, and 32GB of 3600MHz DDR4 RAM. While it performed great initially, I'm starting to feel like the CPU is struggling, especially in games like Call of Duty where I'm hitting 85-90% CPU usage. I even notice glitches when multitasking, like when I'm watching YouTube on a different monitor. I'm considering upgrading to an AMD 7900X3D since I'm pretty impressed with the GPU switch I did. I mainly play FPS and racing games in 1440p, so I'm wondering if it's time for an upgrade.
4 Answers
If you're okay with spending over $1000 for a CPU upgrade, you should look into the 9800X3D. The prices at places like Micro Center can be decent for bundles too. Just keep in mind the RAM upgrade will be necessary, and prices can be steep.
It sounds like you might have a CPU bottleneck, especially if you're hitting such high usage in games. Check if you have other apps running in the background that could be taking up resources. If your GPU isn't maxing out around 100% usage at high settings, it could indicate your CPU is holding things back. Also, monitor your temperatures—overheating could lead to performance drops too.
Honestly, if you're feeling the performance drop, it might be worth considering an upgrade. The 7900X3D is pretty solid, but you might want to look at the 7800X3D or 9800X3D too. DDR5 prices are high right now, so if you're looking at spending a lot on a new CPU, just make sure you're prepared for the cost of upgrading to DDR5 RAM as well. Maybe some overclocking could help you squeeze more out of what you have for now!
If you're not getting proper cooling, that could be affecting your performance too. What are your CPU temperatures like? Since you're using a Noctua DH15 cooler, maybe it's time for a re-paste if you haven't done it since building your PC. It can make a difference!
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