Should I Upgrade My CPU with My GPU?

theoracle30 on 11/09/2020 - 00:09

Hi, I have a pre-built gaming PC from a few years ago. With all the talk of the new Nvidia GPUs, I'm thinking about (eventually) getting my hands on an RTX 3080.

This is my current set-up (and UserBenchmark results). Would everything be compatible with my desired GPU, and should I also upgrade my CPU to go with it? My aim is to hit 1440p and 144Hz gaming.

  • CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K CPU @ 3.4 Ghz, 3401 Mhz, 4 cores, 4 Logical Processors
  • MOBO: ASRock H87 Performance
  • RAM: 16GB RAM (2x 8GB) Patriot PSD38G16002H Signature 8GB DDR3 CL11 PC3-12800 1600MHz DIMM with Heatshield
  • GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 770
  • PSU: Aerocool VP-750 750W
  • Cooling: Unknown - is that just the fan at the back?
  • Monitor: Kogan 3440 x 1440 34" WQHD Curved 21:9 Ultrawide 144Hz Freesync HDR Gaming Monitor

If a CPU upgrade is recommended, I would appreciate it if you could point in the right direction. Would the Intel Core i9 9900K be overkill, for example? Do I need to buy thermal paste when installing a new one?

Images:

Thanks for any assistance :)

Computing

Comments

  • Hybroid on 11/09/2020 - 00:14
    +1

    You do not need an RTX 3080 to hit 1440p 144Hz gaming.

    Should you upgrade your CPU? Yes.

    Do you have to upgrade your CPU? Probably not but expect some bottleneck.

    Should you upgrade your CPU cooler to a proper tower or AIO? Absolutely.

    Is a 9900K overkill? Yes. Also note you'll need new motherboard and RAM.

    Do you need thermal paste? Most likely yes, depending if your CPU cooler has it pre-applied e.g. H110i.

    • theoracle30 on 11/09/2020 - 00:35

      Thanks for that – it's helpful. I'm trying to minimise expenses so might leave the CPU for now and see if it becomes an issue. Not wanting to also upgrade the motherboard and RAM if possible.

      Noted on RTX 3080 being overkill for 1440p/144Hz. I am trying to future-proof to some degree so I would be looking to get something a bit more than what I currently need. Perhaps something older/not as powerful for $600-800.

      • Hybroid on 11/09/2020 - 00:37

        I would suggest an RTX 3070 and a Noctua nh-u12 or Corsair H100i or similar for now.

  • conan2000 on 11/09/2020 - 00:51

    You have an almost identical spec to me. I'm upgrading the whole machine, but I have a 4K monitor.

    The CPU would probably be close to a bottleneck for me at 4K but could get away with it I expect. For you it probably will be.

    I have an X570 mboard and 32 GB DDR4 already purchased from recently posted deals. I'll spring for a 3080 for some decent future proofing and will await the new AMD CPU announcement on 8th October before deciding on CPU.

    • theoracle30 on 11/09/2020 - 01:09

      Do you know of any CPUs that would be a reasonable upgrade for my specs without needing to change the motherboard or RAM as well?

      • scrimshaw on 11/09/2020 - 01:35
        +2

        The best CPUs for your Haswell socket are all quad cores with hyperthreading. An upgrade from a 4C4T CPU to a 4C8T processor is probably not going to make much difference.

      • conan2000 on 11/09/2020 - 08:55

        Yeah, what @scirmshaw said. There is not going to be any meaningful upgrade without changing motherboard, CPU and RAM.

        Given my current build cost me ~$2k about 6 years ago I'm happy with what I got out of it. The only thing I upgraded was moving to an M.2 hard drive in that period.

        • theoracle30 on 11/09/2020 - 09:13
          +1

          Thanks, I'll consider doing the whole lot. If I get a new motherboard, does that mean I need a new OS license?

          Conversely, if I sell my old motherboard and RAM, would the recipient inherit my OS licence?

          EDIT: Found the answer. Should be fine since I have a digital Windows 10 licensew.

          • conan2000 on 11/09/2020 - 11:25

            @theoracle30: Yeah, as you have found it is no issue to reactivate windows. But yeah, if you are not upgrading your entire machine I wouldn't bother with a 3080 graphics card - unless, you are only doing it short term to future proof and upgrade the rest soon after.

            I'll probably end up sticking the 3080 in my current build for a few weeks until I decide on a CPU, but given I'll be running stuff at 4K, I'll have less of a bottleneck than you will at 1440.

  • garetz on 11/09/2020 - 03:05

    Your cpu will severely bottneck the video card. I would go for a 8600k minimum, which will propably still bottleneck it 5-10% unless you overclock.

  • Richardc on 11/09/2020 - 04:23

    I would wait for 3060.

  • cille745 on 11/09/2020 - 08:41

    Anyone know if I'd still be ok with an OC 6700k?

    • scrimshaw on 11/09/2020 - 11:00
      +2

      No simple 'yes-no' answer to that as it really depends on the games you play. Many newer titles now take advantage of more than 4 cores, particularly DirectX12 enabled ones.

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCV9yyD8X6M

      from what I can see a 6th Generation Intel with 4C8T can still keep up with a Ryzen 3600 (in games) if you overclock the heck out of it.

      If you do want to upgrade, then I see an 8-core CPU with 16 threads being the most meaningful one.

  • jackinyourbox on 11/09/2020 - 22:18

    Yeah I think so

  • Defacationsyncope on 12/09/2020 - 07:49
    +1

    Save your money and get a 2080/2080super/(ti if super cheap), 5700xt

    By 2021 would expect them to cost half of the 3070

    Then you could game at 1440 144hz not have to upgrade your CPU/mobo

    And buy a entire new setup when you're ready to upgrade…. Doing it gradually will end up costing you more than say selling your old rig and building new when your ready. (New zen3 coming out end of october)

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