Optimize your RTX 4070 with the Best CPU upgrade route.
Optimize your RTX 4070 with the Best CPU upgrade route.
I’m seeking guidance on improving my PC setup.
Currently I run an older Ryzen 5 5600X overclocked to 4.5GHz. I have 32GB of DDR4 3200MHz RAM, an NZXT N7 B550 AM4 board, and a Kraken AIO cooler. My power supply is 850W and I use an M.2 SSD, so power and storage should be fine.
Last year I added an RTX 4070 Founders Edition and plan to build around it. Since I already have a strong GPU, I aim for a system that matches its performance. My main use is playing CS2.
I’m wondering if it’s better to stay on AM4 and upgrade to a used Ryzen 7 5800X3D, or to switch platforms entirely and install a new CPU, motherboard, and DDR5 RAM — maybe something like the Ryzen 7 7800X3D or the newer 9800X3D.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
My PSU is rated at 850W. What is the brand, model, and age of this unit? How much are you prepared to invest in an upgrade? The price for a 5800X3D in your area is not specified. If you're looking for a straightforward solution, consider a processor upgrade. However, if it means significant financial strain or affecting your daily needs, switching to an AMD Ryzen 9000 series might be the better choice.
Pairing a 2x16GB DDR4-3600MHz RAM kit could optimize performance on your B550 platform.
Thank you for the reply!
My PSU is an NZXT C-Series Gold C850, and I purchased it roughly four years ago.
On the budget side, I’m flexible with spending as long as it makes sense. The main concern isn’t money—it’s finding the best setup to pair with my RTX 4070. If upgrading from a used 5800X3D to a brand new 9800X3D (including CPU, RAM, and motherboard) doesn’t significantly affect performance for my needs, I’d probably choose the 5800X3D. My goal is simply to determine the smartest option available to me.
In my area, a used 5800X3D typically costs about $375.
The CS2 gains from the extra cache make a 5800X3D work quite well:
https://www.techspot.com/review/2965-amd...9-9950x3d/
https://www.techpowerup.com/review/amd-r...3d/18.html
Choosing the optimal option really depends on your overall system usage. The 5800X3D may struggle with non-gaming tasks and won't outperform 13th/14th gen Intel or certain AMD models (non-X3D) in some titles, though it might not matter if CS2 is your main focus.
From a platform perspective (they all improve over your current setup):
I don’t believe AMD will make any major changes on AM5 until after Zen 6, as the 600 and 800 series chipsets remain the same. LGA 1700 offers advantages like PCIe 4.0 x8 connections versus x4, but it also has drawbacks such as limiting PCIe 5.0 SSD support without affecting primary slots. This makes it a fairly balanced choice. Intel leads with the LGA 1851 platform, but I wouldn’t suggest it for someone who mainly plays games.
In short, unless you’re planning a major upgrade that will significantly change how you use your system, it probably isn’t worth the switch.
5800X3D maintains strong low-frequency performance with 1% and 0.1% highs in CS2, which is more crucial for overall smoothness than average frame rates. No model surpassing 7800X3D offers better results here. However, this processor isn't ideal for CPU-intensive tasks unless you're only using it for casual CS2 play and light work. For the best value, opt for 5800X3D paired with 3600MHz/cl16 memory—it's the most affordable and effective choice. Otherwise, evaluating an AM5 platform might be worthwhile.
You might also consider the 5700x3d. It could offer similar performance to the 5800x3d, possibly at a lower cost and with better availability.