Should I upgrade my HD7950 graphics card to an RTX2080?
Should I upgrade my HD7950 graphics card to an RTX2080?
Hello everyone,
I'm experiencing performance issues with my computer when running recent, high-budget video games. Even on the lowest settings for *Modern Warfare*, I'm still encountering occasional lag and the graphics quality is disappointing. I’d like to improve my system's gaming capabilities by upgrading both my computer and monitor, but I’m concerned about compatibility limitations.
I'm considering purchasing a standalone RTX 2080 graphics card as a way to enhance my gaming experience without immediately needing to replace the entire PC. I’m contemplating this high-performance GPU with the intention of upgrading other components in the future – perhaps within two to three years – without needing to upgrade my graphics card again.
Here’s a breakdown of my current hardware:
- Motherboard: CROSSHAIR V FORMULA-Z
- Processor: AMD FX-9590 (8 cores) with liquid cooling
- Graphics Card: AMD Radeon HD 7950 with a triple-fan Windforce cooler
- Memory: 4x4 GB of DDR3 1333MHz RAM
- Operating System: Windows 7
- Storage: Two 128GB SSDs in RAID0 for the operating system, a 520GB SSD for games, and a 2TB hard drive for general files
- Power Supply: 850W, 80 Gold rating
- Monitor: Asus VE247 x2
It’s my opinion that replacing your graphics card isn't worthwhile unless you plan to switch entirely from the 9590 soon. Even if you were considering it a year from now, you would receive substantially better graphics performance for the same amount of money in that timeframe, making waiting a logical choice. There’s not much advantage to upgrading currently to a card that you won't truly benefit from for at least two years.
I refuse to do that. The 9590 represents a significant impediment to gaming performance, and it plays similarly to a Skylake i3.
Absolutely, you’ll experience improved results, however, your 2080 won't reach its peak capabilities. It might be more financially sensible to acquire a less expensive 2060 and invest in a Ryzen 3 or 5 processor – that would be a more effective investment. Alternatively, consider purchasing a used system with an updated i7 processor, accompanied by memory and a motherboard, along with a 2060. There are numerous possibilities; simply discard that current processor and the 2060 will remain a viable gaming component for several years to come.
My graphics card, an RX 470 from 2016, continues to handle current games at a high level at 1080p resolution and can achieve 60 frames per second at 1440p with a bit of overclocking. Although it’s becoming less common for games to suggest this older model, it remains a substantial upgrade over the minimum requirements. An RTX 2060 is significantly newer and performs considerably better than my RX 470. He’ll likely remain satisfied with a 2060 for at least three years, potentially five or six, particularly if he increases its performance through overclocking.
Benchmark: RX 470 vs RTX 2060
It’s my opinion that a graphics card upgrade isn't worthwhile unless you plan to replace your current 9590 very soon. Even if you waited a year, you'd receive significantly greater graphics performance for the same amount of money in that timeframe. Therefore, holding off on an upgrade at this point would be a sensible choice, as there’s limited advantage to purchasing a card you won't fully utilize for quite some time.
The RTX 2080 represents a significant advancement for your graphics card, and you might consider replacing several components – including a more advanced motherboard, processor, memory, and graphics card. Considering the price of an RTX 2080, which is approximately $750, you could alternatively invest in a Ryzen 5 3600 processor, a suitable motherboard, at least 16 gigabytes of RAM, and an RTX 2060.
Certainly, there’s another possibility here. It's preferable to obtain a graphics card upgrade sooner rather than waiting two years, even if the 2060 is less powerful than a 2080.