Questions about Upgrading GPU

lerodemmy · September 13, 2024

I’m looking to upgrade from an EVGA 3090 FTW to a 4080 Super (not sure which one yet).

Is my PSU (Corsair RM1000x) sufficient, or will that need an upgrade? I’m using a Strix Z-790 motherboard and a 14900K. Rest of specs in sig.

Is there anything I need to do with the 3090 prior to selling it?

Can I use the same PCIe cables I’ve been using?

Will the 4080-S be plug and play?

Is there anything else that may need upgrading?

adm0n · September 13, 2024

To answer your questions:

Your PSU is more than enough. A 4080 Super has a lower TDP compared to a 3090. Also the problem with transients is less pronounced. Anyway, if you can run a 3090 you have no problem running a 4080 S
Dusting it would be nice. If it works, you don't really need to do anything with it.
4080S come with the new 16 pin power connector. So you will likely need an adapter, which should come with the card itself.
Generally yes. As long as you turn your PC off before you plug the new graphics card in and then turn it back on to play.

Just one question, why are you upgrading? You are getting 20-30% more performance, but lose some memory bandwidth and memory in general. And the new generation of cards is right around the corner. At least from AMD side, the current rumor is, that you can get a bit lower than 4080S performance for ~600USD. So it seems like it's the worst possible time to upgrade, especially since you have a card, you could realistically use for the entirety of the next generation.

(I'm getting pretty strong 1080ti vibes from the 3090, feeling like it might age similarly. But it's only really a fair comparison for those who got it for ~800USD after the crash)

lerodemmy · September 13, 2024

35 minutes ago, adm0n said:

To answer your questions:

Your PSU is more than enough. A 4080 Super has a lower TDP compared to a 3090. Also the problem with transients is less pronounced. Anyway, if you can run a 3090 you have no problem running a 4080 S

Dusting it would be nice. If it works, you don't really need to do anything with it.

4080S come with the new 16 pin power connector. So you will likely need an adapter, which should come with the card itself.

Generally yes. As long as you turn your PC off before you plug the new graphics card in and then turn it back on to play.

Just one question, why are you upgrading? You are getting 20-30% more performance, but lose some memory bandwidth and memory in general. And the new generation of cards is right around the corner. At least from AMD side, the current rumor is, that you can get a bit lower than 4080S performance for ~600USD. So it seems like it's the worst possible time to upgrade, especially since you have a card, you could realistically use for the entirety of the next generation.

(I'm getting pretty strong 1080ti vibes from the 3090, feeling like it might age similarly. But it's only really a fair comparison for those who got it for ~800USD after the crash)

Thank you for those answers.

Good question. I wasn’t set in stone on making this upgrade. I just wanted to know how easy it would be, and then I was going to try and determine if it’s worth it right now.

I’m interested in the 5090, but I think the last time I checked, it appeared to be further away. For some reason, I had it in my head that it might not be released until fall of 2025. Now, I can see that it may be much closer. I really hadn’t thought about AMD, but it’s certainly worth looking into.

I liked the idea of the 4080S because it would’ve been such an easy upgrade. My PSU is pretty difficult to get to because there’s very little room in that part of the case with all the cables. I just wanted a nice little upgrade to tide me over until the 5090, without a ton of cabling work or having to replace the PSU (I realize I’ll probably have to replace the PSU to accommodate a 5090).

You’ve given me a lot to think about. I’m going to hold off for now and keep an eye on the news about the new cards.

adm0n · September 13, 2024

1 hour ago, lerodemmy said:

Good question. I wasn’t set in stone on making this upgrade. I just wanted to know how easy it would be, and then I was going to try and determine if it’s worth it right now.

Well the upgrade itself is super easy, so no worries there!

1 hour ago, lerodemmy said:

I’m interested in the 5090, but I think the last time I checked, it appeared to be further away. For some reason, I had it in my head that it might not be released until fall of 2025. Now, I can see that it may be much closer. I really hadn’t thought about AMD, but it’s certainly worth looking into.

The last I heard, is that the launch window could slip into 2025. But it should still happen early 2025. Maybe the CES 2025 in January would be a good place to launch.

1 hour ago, lerodemmy said:

I really hadn’t thought about AMD, but it’s certainly worth looking into.

If you really want top performance, AMD apparently won't launch a high end card next gen. So the best card they will come out with, should be that ~4080 Super contender.

1 hour ago, lerodemmy said:

liked the idea of the 4080S because it would’ve been such an easy upgrade. My PSU is pretty difficult to get to because there’s very little room in that part of the case with all the cables. I just wanted a nice little upgrade to tide me over until the 5090, without a ton of cabling work or having to replace the PSU (I realize I’ll probably have to replace the PSU to accommodate a 5090).

Depending on how hard to drive the cards are and what's in the rest of your system, you might be fine running a 5090. But if it will actually have a TDP of 600Ws and have troubles with transients, you actually might need more than 1000W capacity, which is pretty crazy.

But I still don't see how that upgrade would be worth it. You are just not gaining all that much.