I'm currently using an AMD Ryzen 5 3600 CPU with a MSI B450M PRO-M2 motherboard, and I've recently upgraded my GPU to a PowerColor RX 7800 XT for gaming at 1440p. I mostly play single player games like Where Winds Meet, Stalker, and Elden Ring. However, I'm experiencing frustrating low frame rates in some games, dropping to the 30s while CPU and GPU usage is around 50%. My benchmarks indicate I'm slightly GPU bound, and my temperatures are good during gaming. I'm trying to understand if I'm facing a significant CPU bottleneck and whether moving to 1440p will help or if I should consider upgrading to a Ryzen 5 5700X. Is it worth investing in that upgrade, or would I be better off with more advanced options despite their higher costs?
1 Answer
It sounds like you're experiencing a CPU bottleneck. Upgrading from the Ryzen 3000 series to 5000 could give you a noticeable boost in performance and stability. A used Ryzen 5 5600X could be a budget-friendly option at around $50-80. You’ll likely see improvements without breaking the bank!

I’m considering the 5700X since I’ve seen it for about $150 at Microcenter. Seems more reasonable compared to the pricier options!