I'm currently using an Intel 11700F and an NVIDIA 3060 Ti. I've heard that bottleneck calculators aren't very reliable. I'm curious which upgrade would realistically boost my frame rates and reduce latency, particularly for 1440p gaming focused on pure rasterization and getting high FPS. Any thoughts on whether the 9800X3D or the 5080 would be a better choice?
5 Answers
Check your GPU usage while gaming. If it's near 100%, you definitely need a better GPU. If it's not, then a CPU upgrade might be what you need.
But what if my 5070 Ti isn’t hitting 100% usage even with ray tracing? This is confusing!
When in doubt, aim for both. You might want to consider upgrading to something like a 9070 XT along with a solid CPU like a 7600 series. Pairing a 3060 Ti with a 9800X3D seems off, and going with a 5080 could balance things out while you build towards a new setup.
Yeah, if you’re doing a phased upgrade, just picking one side doesn’t seem wise. A gradual upgrade could save you cash in the long run.
It really depends on your game library. For shooter games, which seem to be your jam, the CPU upgrade might be more beneficial. The 9800X3D could help, but for more intense graphics, the 5080 might be the better bet for 1440p.
I'm mainly into FPS too, but I also play a lot of AAA games. Should I still prioritize CPU for shooters?
Honestly, if you want a significant performance boost without rebuilding your whole setup, go for the GPU. Between the two, the 5080 will probably give you better results now, but just keep in mind the 9800X3D can be good if you’re after maxing out FPS in CPU-heavy games.
Just go for the 5080. You'll likely not notice much difference from a CPU upgrade with your current GPU being so much older than what’s on the high-end market. At 1440p, your 3060 Ti is probably the main bottleneck, so start there.
This hits the nail on the head. It’s practical advice for anyone trying to diagnose their gaming performance.