Hey everyone! I've had my current PC since early 2020 and have done a few small upgrades like increasing the RAM and adding an extra SSD. However, I'm starting to notice it struggling with newer games. I didn't build this PC myself, and I'm not super knowledgeable about hardware, so I'm hoping to get some help on what part needs upgrading the most. I think it might be the graphics card, but I'm unsure which one would be a good replacement. Here are my specs:
* Processor: Intel Core i9-9900KF CPU @ 3.60GHz
* RAM: 48.0 GB
* Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER (8 GB)
* Storage: 3.64 TB HDD, 1.82 TB SSD Samsung SSD 980 PRO, and 466 GB SSD Samsung SSD 970 EVO Plus.
I prefer sticking with an NVIDIA graphics card since I have some familiarity with them, but with so many options and generations available, I'm lost on the best choice for quality and price. I'd like to make a solid upgrade so I can keep enjoying new games for a few years without spending over €2000 if I can help it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!
2 Answers
First off, what resolution is your monitor? Knowing that helps narrow down the best graphics card for your setup. Since you're playing games like Baldur's Gate 3 and Cyberpunk 2077, a lot of those require good graphics performance, especially at 2k resolution. A solid choice would be the 5070 Ti; it's got great performance, and you might even be able to overclock it to get levels comparable to a 5080. Also, consider upgrading to an AM5 platform in the future, as it can offer better performance and compatibility with newer components. Just make sure whichever card you choose will perform well at 144 Hz too!
Upgrading your graphics card sounds like a good plan since that usually has the most impact on gaming performance. If you’re sticking to NVIDIA, maybe consider something from the 3000 series or even the newer 4000 series if you can find one that fits your budget. That said, with your current hardware, especially the i9 CPU, you're not in a bad position to just upgrade the GPU and get a solid boost without needing to overhaul everything. Just check if the new card fits in your case and the power supply can handle it!
I appreciate the advice! I don’t want to break the bank, but it’s good to know my CPU is still decent enough to support a new GPU.
Thanks for the suggestion! I run my monitor at 2k 144 Hz. So good to know that the 5070 Ti could possibly work. I'll definitely look into AM5 as well!