Hey everyone! I'm looking to upgrade my PC setup from 2018 and I have a budget of €1000. Here's what I'm currently working with: an Intel i5 9600K, an RTX 2070, an Asus Z370-A motherboard, and 8GB of Trident Z RGB RAM running at 3200. I play on an LG 27GP850 monitor that can handle 1440p at 180Hz, but lately, I've been struggling to maintain 40-50 FPS in games like Horizon Forbidden West and Cyberpunk 2077.
I believe my CPU is the main bottleneck right now, although I'm starting to think the RTX 2070 might also be limiting my performance for 1440p gaming. My upgrade plan includes getting a Ryzen 7 9800X3D for about €500, an Asrock X870 Pro RS motherboard for about €220, and Trident Z5 Neo 64GB RAM at 6000MHz for about €225. What do you think of this approach?
4 Answers
I would definitely reconsider going with an Asrock motherboard; they've had higher failure rates with the 9800X3D. Gigabyte or MSI boards typically get better feedback. Also, I wouldn't go for 64GB of RAM unless you're doing a lot of programming on the side, in which case I get that you'll need it. But most gaming setups can thrive on 32GB, freeing up some budget for a better GPU.
Honestly, I think you should skip the 64GB of RAM—it's a bit excessive for gaming. With your current setup, your RTX 2070 is definitely going to struggle in newer games. For a budget-friendly option, consider going with a 9700X or 9600X around €350-€300, a generic B650 motherboard for €180, and 32GB of RAM for about €120. Then, use the rest of your budget to grab the best GPU you can find. Upgrading to the latest generation of either NVIDIA or AMD will make a big difference in performance for modern titles.
Real talk, I think you're looking at a full system refresh here. If you grab a 9800X3D, you'll have an excellent gaming CPU, but sticking with the RTX 2070 will hold you back significantly. If you're not prepared to spend another €1000 right away on a new GPU, you might want to hold off on the CPU upgrade until you can upgrade your GPU too.
Make sure to check your GPU usage when gaming. At 1440p, it's likely that your RTX 2070 is the main bottleneck in your performance. I'd recommend prioritizing a GPU upgrade first. You can always upgrade the CPU, motherboard, and RAM later if your budget allows it. Plus, the 5060Ti for around €500 could work for 1440p, but you might want to compare it against the 9070XT and RTX 5070 before deciding.
Related Questions
Lenovo Thinkpad Stuck In Update Loop Install FilterDriverU2_Reload