I'm not super tech-savvy, but I've recently upgraded from a 4090 to a 5090 for sim racing in VR, as I've been hitting the limits of my old GPU. Before I install the new card, I'm wondering if I should also upgrade my i9-13900F. Generally, I don't feel CPU-bound, but my CPU's '1% lows' occasionally exceed 8.9 ms, which is above the 8.33 ms threshold needed for smooth 120 fps in VR. I don't notice much slow down while gaming, except in crowded multiplayer lobbies, and I suspect it might be due to server or GPU issues rather than CPU. I've heard some opinions suggesting it might be silly to have a 5090 without a top-tier CPU. What do you think? Performance is my main goal, and cost isn't a big concern.
3 Answers
If cost isn't a problem for you, I’d recommend upgrading to a 9800X3D. The 9850X3D is also set to be announced soon, so if you're willing to wait, that could be worth considering too.
Have you checked out the 9900X3D? It's a solid option as well.
Absolutely, upgrading to a faster CPU will definitely help with frame time consistency. Some folks might say it’s not a big deal, but I think it makes a noticeable difference, especially in VR.
Good to know!
Thanks for the response, helpful data point.