I'm currently gaming with an R5 2600X processor and a GT 610 graphics card on a 1440p monitor, which isn't cutting it. I'm planning to upgrade to a 7700XT soon, which costs around $430 where I live, but I'm contemplating whether I should upgrade my CPU first instead. I mainly play games like Elden Ring, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, and Metro Exodus, among others. Would it make more sense to get a cheaper GPU for now but upgrade the CPU instead? I'm really looking to avoid any stuttering from bottlenecks, but I'm a bit confused about the order of upgrades!
2 Answers
There will always be some bottleneck unless you’re limiting your FPS. If you can find a 9060XT with 16GB of VRAM, that might be a better option than the 7700XT, especially for future-proofing. The 7700XT lacks FSR4 and has less VRAM, which could be an issue down the line on a 1440p monitor.
Honestly, people worry way too much about bottlenecks. Turn up the graphics settings instead so the CPU isn’t the limiting factor; load up that GPU! If you’re sticking with your current platform, consider upgrading to a Zen 3 or even a Zen 3 X3D CPU to help minimize bottlenecks as much as possible without needing a whole new rig.
In my region, the 9060XT is priced between $500 and $530, which is a bit more than I want to spend. Plus, I've heard you can unofficially mod FSR4 on the 7700XT.