I've been running a build with a 5800X3D CPU and a 6950XT GPU on an X570 motherboard along with DDR4 3200MHz RAM. When I upgraded to the 5800X3D, everything was fantastic for gameplay, particularly in Counter-Strike 2, but recently, I'm noticing major issues playing newer games like Remnant II and Elden Ring. It feels like my performance has dropped significantly, struggling to even reach 60 FPS at times, especially with ray tracing enabled. I've checked and don't think I'm experiencing thermal throttling, as I have it paired with an Arctic 240 AIO. I'm curious if upgrading to faster RAM or better memory timings would help, or if the real issue is just the GPU not being able to cope with newer titles. I'm considering saving up for an RTX 5080 to get back to enjoying high framerates at 1440p, especially for VR games. What do you all think? Any advice on a sensible upgrade path this year?
5 Answers
Don't stress too much about your RAM speeds. While faster RAM can help a bit, it generally doesn't matter as much with the 5800X3D. Your next best step would be to focus on a GPU upgrade. The 6950XT is still solid but newer games are really pushing the limits. Also, make sure to check your thermals; a good thermal paste and airflow can make a difference.
Your 5800X3D is still a great CPU, but it sounds like the 6950XT is starting to struggle with newer titles, particularly when ray tracing is involved. If you really want to smooth out your gaming at 1440p, upgrading that GPU might be your best bet. It's just not cutting it like it used to, especially with the optimization issues in modern games.
Just a heads-up, newer games heavily rely on FSR and DLSS, which can impact performance on certain GPUs. Your 6950XT can still hold its own in most situations, but if you're targeting peak performance, consider making that RTX5080 jump.
If you're trying to hit 144 FPS, you might want to consider adding more RAM to your build. If you have the chance, moving to 32GB would provide better overhead for those demanding titles. Otherwise, definitely look at upgrading the GPU for the best gains.
Many of the games you're mentioning are infamous for bad optimization, so I don't think your hardware is the problem at all. However, a repaste on your CPU and GPU, along with a clean OS install to remove any possible software bloat, could potentially help improve your performance.
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