I'm weighing my options between upgrading my GPU or my CPU. I currently run a Ryzen 5 5600X, have 32GB of RAM, a X470 Taichi motherboard, and a GeForce RTX 3080. Lately, I've noticed I'm getting lower-than-expected FPS while gaming on my 34-inch ultrawide monitor. I'm curious if swapping my CPU for a 9800X3D and moving to PCIe 5 could significantly improve performance, or if I'd be better off just upgrading my GPU instead.
4 Answers
Have you determined if your CPU or GPU is the bottleneck while you're gaming? Personally, I’d lean towards the 5070 Ti upgrade since the 5600X is still a solid chip. It could give you a worthwhile boost.
Not sure how to properly identify whether it's your CPU or GPU that's capping your performance since both seem to max out. I get that with an X470 motherboard, PCIe 3.0 can be limiting (16x for GPU, 4x for NVMe, and 4x for a NIC). Have you noticed specific games that seem more impacted?
Given your setup, I'd say you're more GPU-bound than anything else. I also have a 3080 paired with a Ryzen 5800X at 3440x1440p, and both upgrades you’re considering would improve FPS noticeably. The 9800X3D might particularly help with your 1% lows, but with that 10GB VRAM from your 3080, I'd recommend upgrading the GPU first. Keep in mind, you might want to hold off for the next Ryzen series for a better upgrade down the line. Also, don't forget to leverage DLSS 4 for better settings; it’s definitely usable at 1440p with new architecture.
I’d say just upgrade the GPU and see how your performance holds up. At your resolution, the 5600X isn't likely the main limiter when paired with a 3080. It's more about the 3080's performance limits and its 10GB of VRAM. If you check and see your GPU is running at over 90% usage, that confirms it's the one holding you back.
I usually play a variety of different titles, so it's hard to pinpoint where the dip is happening.