Should I upgrade my CPU or GPU?

[DarthSmartt]

I have been fine with my 6700k and 1080 for a while now, but since getting into streaming I can see that performance could be better since I push games on a high refresh rate 1440p monitor. I use the nvenc encoder on the 1080. Everything is custom watercooled with ample headroom for temps. I have the cpu at 4.5ghz at 1.4v(any thing lower it becomes unstable).

 

While streaming and playing games both the card and cpu are usually pegged at 100% or close to. I am not sure what I should upgrade next as there has been a lot of improvements in both the cpu and gpu world. All I know is that Ryzen has been kicking ass lately and Nvidias turing gpus have great nvenc encoders. Which upgrade would be most worth it for a better gaming/streaming experience? I have seen people also use x264 encoder while gaming on high end cpus.

 

As for upgrading the graphics card I would go with the 2080 super. As for the cpu I would probably go with a 3900x and an asus rog strix x570-f mobo.

[RadiatingLight]

Given that the new 30-series Nvidia GPUs are coming out soon-ish, I'd say go for a CPU now.

[RadiatingLight]

Just now, RadiatingLight said:

Given that the new 30-series Nvidia GPUs are coming out soon-ish, I'd say go for a CPU now.

Also, with a 3900X, you can CPU-encode your video for better video quality than any GPU encoder, and you won't see a performance hit in games.

[DarthSmartt]

2 minutes ago, RadiatingLight said:

Also, with a 3900X, you can CPU-encode your video for better video quality than any GPU encoder, and you won't see a performance hit in games.

That is likely would I would do. Would the performance of the 3800x be sufficient for using the x264 encoder and playing games as well? I really don't want to spend too much extra on the upgrade I want to stay around 7-$800 on the cpu and mobo. I will be overclocking as far as i can and still be stable.

[TukangUsapEmenq]

A CPU upgrade will be (really) wise. That 1080 can still do a good job for games anyway.

[RadiatingLight]

Just now, DarthSmartt said:

That is likely would I would do. Would the performance of the 3800x be sufficient for using the x264 encoder and playing games as well? I really don't want to spend too much extra on the upgrade I want to stay around 7-$800 on the cpu and mobo. I will be overclocking as far as i can and still be stable.

3800X still has 8 cores just like the 3700X, so while you'll probably be totally fine with an 8-core today, if you're CPU encoding, might as well go for a 3900X IMO

[Max Norde]

You're at the same tough spot as me. I was rocking a 6700k and a 1080 for the longest time. It's a tough call because you have to either spend a ton of money or you won't get that much of an improvement. I went the way of spending a ton of money and got an all new system.

 

Timing is also kinda unfortunate. Ryzen 4000 and RTX 3000 as well as RDNA 2 GPUs are on the horizen but all of them arent announced yet. If you accept that in about 6 months, your upgrade won't be the cutting edge anymore, I'd go for the CPU upgrade. The extra threads will make streaming much better. I'm not a streaming expert, tho.

 

With graphics, it really depends on what you want to do. If you want to play Shadow of the Tomb Raider or Monster Hunter World at 120 fps at max settings, you're gonna need a TU102. I would wait for the RTX 3000 series in that case, since you will probably get 2080 Ti performance for way less than the current astronomical price.

 

If you want an upgrade now, I'd go for the CPU and get a GPU later when new stuff arrives.

[DarthSmartt]

19 minutes ago, RadiatingLight said:

3800X still has 8 cores just like the 3700X, so while you'll probably be totally fine with an 8-core today, if you're CPU encoding, might as well go for a 3900X IMO

I guess 4 more cores does definitely justify $100s. That is what I will go for. Also I have 32gb of 3000mhz patriot memory. Is it worth upgrading that as well or leave it be. I know ryzen loves its ram speed.