I'm looking to upgrade my graphics card and could use some advice. Here are my current specs:
- CPU: Ryzen 7 3700X
- RAM: 16GB at 3200MHz and CL16
- MOBO: ASUS TUF x570-PLUS WIFI
- GPU: RTX 2060 Super
I'm planning to replace my two 1080p monitors with a single OLED 1440p monitor, which might be a standard 16:9 or a 21:9 ultrawide. My main gaming will be at 1440p using a keyboard and mouse, but I also want to hook my PC up to a 4K OLED TV for Steam Big Picture mode. This TV supports 120Hz with VRR, but I'm not aiming for 120 fps at 4K. Mostly, I'll be gaming at 1440p, but occasionally want to hit around 60 fps at 4K.
I have some other upgrades planned for the end of October or early November, but right now, I'm focusing on a solid GPU and monitor without overspending on a full upgrade. I'm leaning towards the RTX 5080 but might consider the RTX 5070 TI. Would upgrading to either of these GPUs make a noticeable difference given my current CPU and RAM?
3 Answers
One thing to consider is the ultrawide setup. Not all games fully support it, and those added pixels can put more stress on your GPU. If it were me, I'd sell your 3700X and get a used 5800X along with upgrading the RAM. You could sell your 2060 Super and then grab a new RTX 5070 for around $549. That way, you'd freshen up your build without splurging too much!
If you're considering the RTX 5080 or 5070 TI, I think you'll be pretty happy with the performance jump. For the same money as the 5080, you might get a 5070 TI and a 5800XT, which could be a great combo! I've been really pleased with my Alienware OLED ultrawide paired with the 5070 TI. Just keep in mind, the 3700X might hold you back a bit in some scenarios, but it should handle stronger GPUs better than your current RTX 2060.
That sounds like a solid setup! I'm eyeing the Alienware AW3423DWF as well, but I'm worried that the 5070 TI may struggle with 4K on the TV. Just a thought!
Honestly, if you're aiming for good performance at those resolutions, you might be bottlenecked by the 3700X with the 5080. Instead of upgrading to the 5080 at $1000, you could spend about $350 on a newer CPU like the 7600X and a compatible MOBO along with 32GB of faster RAM. That way, you could still get a solid GPU like the 5070 or 9070XT with better overall performance compared to pairing any new GPU with your current CPU.
I’ve seen benchmarks where the 3700X is still decent, though. People have played with it at around 60% usage while gaming, so maybe it wouldn't be that bottlenecked?
True, but I think the 9070XT might be a strong contender too if you're considering a future-proof upgrade. You should definitely notice a performance boost, especially compared to the 2060.