Having trouble running the latest titles on my setup
Having trouble running the latest titles on my setup
Hello
My PC configuration lets me enjoy titles such as The Witcher 3 and GTA V at their highest graphics quality, reaching 1440p. But these are likely the latest games I’ve played until recently when I tried Red Dead Redemption 2. At that point, I was finding it hard to maintain a solid frame rate even with moderate graphics settings.
Several components date back to 2017, and I assumed my system was fairly future-ready, though it seems some parts are starting to show signs of aging. Below is the current setup.
Anyone have ideas on whether my configuration still supports good performance for games like Red Dead Redemption 2? Or is there a specific bottleneck I should be aware of? The next game I’m eager to start is Starfield, so I want to confirm if my rig can handle it well or if upgrades would be necessary.
Thank you!
It’s feasible to achieve a substantial improvement while keeping most of your existing hardware intact, whether you opt for Intel or AMD. You can retain the majority of your current components and still benefit from a significant refresh.
You might opt to replace the CPU, motherboard, and GPU with an LGA 1700 or AM4 platform that supports DDR4.
For instance (Intel):
- ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus – $189.99
- ASUS TUF GAMING B760-PLUS WIFI – $189.99
- MSI MAG B760 TOMAHAWK WIFI – $189.99
For AMD:
- GIGABYTE X570S AORUS ELITE AX – $189.99
- ASRock X570 STEEL LEGEND – $145.99
Once you select a suitable board (these are just examples), you can pair it with an Intel 12th Gen, 13th Gen, or AMD AM4 Ryzen 5000 CPU (based on your chosen motherboard), followed by a more recent GPU. This setup will greatly boost performance and allow you to utilize the monitor’s higher refresh rate more effectively than with older models like the 980 Ti.
Upgrading only three components while keeping the rest unchanged can position you on a newer platform, offering better performance in the long term.
Intel LGA 1700 is nearing its end for Intel 12th/13th Gen, transitioning to a new socket for Meteor Lake. Depending on your board and budget, you might access newer standards such as PCIe 5.0 x16, which isn’t yet widely adopted in GPUs or M.2 drives.
AMD AM4 remains the last DDR4 platform supported by AMD, and previous generations can still provide meaningful savings without sacrificing too much performance.
Prices vary:
- Intel 13700K averages around $410
- AMD 5800X3D averages about $350
- Intel 13600K averages roughly $317
- AMD Ryzen 7 5800X averages about $238
These figures suggest that higher-end CPUs like the 13700K offer better average and minimum FPS compared to older models, though they cost more. Conversely, the 5800X3D is cheaper but slightly lower in performance.
For mid-range options, the trade-off between cost and speed is clear—saving more on the CPU might let you invest more in a GPU, but this decision depends on your priorities.
When considering PCIe 4.0 x16 (the current standard), note that no consumer GPUs use PCIe 5.0 x16 at the moment, and M.2 PCIe 4.0 x4 drives are expensive. Using PCIe 4.0 x4 for your SSD should keep you competitive without missing out on performance.
I upgraded from a 6700K a couple of years ago. Games like RDR2 run a quad core CPU like the 7700K very hard, yet they still work. For me, a step too far was Cyberpunk with RT enabled. It's below the recommended specs for Starfield. You're likely going to need an upgrade, but since the game isn't available and your current computer doesn't cost anything, you could try it first.