I'm looking to upgrade my PC setup since I haven't done so since the pandemic. My current specs are an Intel i7-8700K, an NVIDIA 3070 Ti, and 32GB of DDR4 RAM. I've noticed many people seem to be moving towards AMD products, but I'm not familiar with them at all. What are the best CPU and motherboard options for gaming in the $800 range? I'd like to upgrade my CPU, motherboard, and RAM first, and then assess whether I need to upgrade my GPU later.
4 Answers
For a solid upgrade, I'd recommend the Ryzen 7 9800X3D for around $420, paired with the MSI MAG X670 Tomahawk WiFi motherboard for about $260. You should also consider getting 32GB of DDR5 RAM (2x16GB) that runs at 6000 MT/s for around $160. Your 3070 Ti is still a good card, and this new setup will bring a huge boost in CPU performance. It should handle 1080p and 1440p gaming really well, and you won't need to rush into a GPU upgrade unless you're gaming at 4K or really demanding titles. I'd suggest sticking with the new setup for a while before deciding on a GPU upgrade.
Definitely eye the 9800X3D as one of the best CPUs right now! Remember, the motherboard doesn't really impact FPS as long as it has good cooling. The 9800X3D doesn't require much, so you should focus on quality features rather than just specs.
What motherboard would you recommend with it, then?
If you’re open to going back to Intel, their latest CPUs are also impressive. Maybe even consider a last-gen AM4, like the 5800X or X3D, which would still pair nicely with your existing RAM since it's still pretty powerful. The AMD options are becoming more appealing, especially with the price of RAM right now.
Thanks for the suggestions! I'll definitely check those out.
Check out this build: [PCPartPicker List](https://pcpartpicker.com/list/2jN7W9). For about $1000, you can get a new GPU, CPU, and motherboard while reusing your DDR4 RAM. It should run any game at 1440p on high or ultra settings. If your budget is $800, you might consider switching to an RX 6900 XT for better graphics performance.
Budget's flexible, just trying to gauge the current options since I'm out of the loop. RAM prices seem wild!
Totally agree! After that upgrade, you might find your current GPU still holds up well.