I'm considering upgrading my i9-9900k to either a Ryzen 7 9800x3d or 9850x3d, but I'm unsure how much improvement I could expect. Currently, I have an RTX 4070 TI that often reaches 100% utilization, while my CPU only runs at about 60-70% usage. I typically game at 3440x1440 with a target of around 120fps, but I'm only getting around 70-80fps on high settings in some titles. I don't have any thermal issues to worry about. My concern is whether moving to a newer CPU could unlock more performance since I'm using PCIe 5 and DDR5 technologies. I've heard that if a component is maxed out, it's the bottleneck and upgrading other parts won't significantly help. So, realistically, will I see more than a 10% increase in performance by upgrading my CPU, or is that money better spent elsewhere?
5 Answers
You probably won't see a massive change in average frame rates, but you might notice improved stability in your frame rates, especially in the lower percentiles. Your 1% lows can get better, which helps with smoother gameplay.
Testing your frame rates at a lower resolution might help you see if your CPU can handle more. It could give you a better idea of where the bottleneck really is.
Right, your FPS won't really shoot up, but the smoothness could improve. Just analyze your gaming experience to see if you notice problems that might link back to the CPU.
Your 1% lows might see an improvement, but if it's pure FPS you’re after, then I wouldn't expect much change.
If your GPU's hitting 100%, there's likely not much more performance to squeeze out with a CPU upgrade. However, if you're experiencing stutters or significant frame drops, that might change things. Think about whether you notice any CPU-related issues in your gameplay, like slow loading or lag in specific scenarios.
Yeah, especially with DLSS and Frame Generation, having better FPS stability can make a big difference in how the game feels. Nobody likes input lag when things start to spike!