I’m currently gaming on an RTX 3070, paired with an i5-10600K and 16GB of RAM. It’s been a bit of a struggle to run newer games, so I’m planning to upgrade my PC. For the CPU, I’m looking at the 9800x3D and 32GB of 6000 30 RAM. Now, when it comes to the GPU, I initially thought the RTX 5080 might be a good choice, but I’m starting to feel like it might be overkill for my needs. I want my components to last for about 5-7 years, and while GPUs are typically replaced more frequently, I’m hoping for one that serves well for the next 4 years—similar to what my 3070 did.
I mainly play indie games and don’t dive into many AAA titles. The exception being the upcoming DOOM: The Dark Ages, which my 3070 will struggle with. My monitor supports a 5120×1440 resolution, but honestly, I can’t tell the difference above 60 FPS; I’m more after beautiful graphics than raw performance. Given this, I’m weighing my options: upgrade to the RTX 5080 now versus getting a lesser GPU like the RTX 5070/TI, Radeon 9070/XT, or even an RTX 4080/RX 7900 XTX and possibly upgrade that down the road. Or, maybe just stick with the 3070 for a bit longer since it’s still handling most games decently. What are your thoughts?
3 Answers
If you’re looking for longevity, I would definitely go for something like the 7900 XTX. It’s really solid for the price, and with features like high VRAM, it should keep up well for a few years, especially for indie titles and sporadic AAA games. Plus, with the 9000 series, you might find good deals that fit your budget better than the RTX 5080!
Yeah, and with indies often not pushing hardware, the 7900 XTX could be a sweet spot for you.
Yeah, I think the 9070 XT or 5070 Ti could be a solid upgrade without going too overboard. If your main focus is playing indies and you don’t mind hitting 60 FPS, these GPUs should serve you well without breaking the bank. Plus, you could always see how DOOM runs on your 3070 before making any rash decisions. Just keep in mind the 8GB VRAM requirement—it’ll be higher at your monitor’s resolution than it is at 1080p.
Agreed! I like the strategy of waiting to see how your games perform right now before committing. No rush to spend big bucks if your current setup is still decent!
Exactly! Test it out first, and if you find it lacking, then look into upgrading!
Honestly, if money isn’t an issue, the RTX 5080 is a great powerhouse. But remember, it sounds like you’re more focused on visuals than raw gaming power. If that’s the case, consider the 7900 XTX or 9070 XT—they usually offer better value for the price compared to NVIDIA. Just keep an eye on VRAM, especially for future games!
Yeah, the value for AMD is pretty tempting right now. Plus, with the new tech coming out, those might get even better!
But I still think the higher-end Nvidia cards generally have better performance. Just depends on what you want out of your build!
Absolutely! The cost-performance ratio with AMD right now is awesome, especially for a mixed-use rig!