Upgrade it!
Upgrade it!
Hello everyone. I'm wondering if upgrading my CPU is the right choice. My current setup includes an R7 2700X with an X570 processor, 8GB RAM, 32GB DDR4, and a 4TB NVMe SSD. I'm considering moving to a 4TB 512GB M.2 SATA3 drive with Seasonic 550 Gold. The new components would include a 1080p display with fast refresh rates and good performance for gaming and multitasking. Would upgrading to these specs be worthwhile? Thanks for your advice!
You're likely wondering if your setup is up to date. If not, this question isn't meant to judge—it's just about finding the right components for your needs. For gaming, a CPU upgrade might help, but since your GPU isn't extremely powerful, the benefit will be limited. In most titles, especially with a strong GPU like the RTX 3090, the 5800X offers noticeable gains over the 2700X at standard settings. With your RX 6650XT, you won't see the same boost unless you also lower other settings. The 5800X3D would be a better choice if you were considering an upgrade, as it provides a more significant performance increase. Until you replace the RX 6650XT, it won't deliver much extra speed.
It depends on your requirements and preferences. I’d look at the 5700X since it offers similar performance to the 5800X with PBO, is often available at lower prices, and you might get a good value sometimes. You can’t fully gauge user experience just from bar graphs.
Word of mouth isn't really the case. I switched from a 2600X to a 5700X, it's a different experience and there are other things happening alongside games. Benchmarks have value, but they don't capture the full picture.
The problem lies in the fact that it can turn into a word exchange between us. For instance, I moved from an i5 9600K to an R9 5900X. In some cases, that seems like a larger jump than what you did. However, regarding system speed or the games I play, I don’t usually see much change—probably because my RTX 2060 Super is still the main limitation in most of them. From my own experience, upgrading from a 9600K to a 5900X doesn’t really stand out for me most of the time. Since I rarely use what I got the 5900X for, it’s hard to say who’s right. Is improving from a 2018 six-core CPU to a higher core Zen 3 chip really worth it?
Your perspective appears distinct from mine, making a definitive answer challenging. A system with an R7 2700X isn’t necessarily a must-upgrade unless extra speed is needed, just as a 9600k and 2060 super UESD setup suits gaming better. It functions, but differences are noticeable. I won’t push for upgrades everyone should do, but I can still offer advice if requested.
I appreciate both of your perspectives. This is why I ask here. Maybe there is a perspective I did not consider. I do realize that it would not make a big difference in a lot of applications, but it is my understanding that even with a mid range gpu that having a fast cpu can help with 1% lows instead average or peak framrate. I am aiming for 144 fps with less framedrop. So, 1% does matter as far as my overall experience goes. I also stream on discord and have many other applications open. So, I lean towards still upgrading. Also, thinking about having a gpu upgrade in the future and not needing to upgrade both cpu and gpu. Price does matter a lot. The 5800x is only marginally more expensive for me than the 5700x and will be going with that choice. Thanks again guys for the discourse.