Upgrading a budget 12400F 1440p gaming build with better GPU rather than going for a 9800X3D?
Posted by OrganicContentFarmer@reddit | buildapc | View on Reddit | 21 comments
Still on the fence about going for a 9800X3D given current pricing. Tempted to stick with 12400F for now and upgrade GPU instead to a 4080 Super to future-proof the GPU. Not interested in pursuing resolutions beyond 1440p any time soon.
Current build uses a trash-tier ASUS Prime B660 mobo so will upgrade that to a Z690 one. Will keep case, PSU and storage as is.
Thoughts on new build? Targeting the following kinds of games:
- Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 (said to be less single-thread intensive than current MSFS 2020 version, so thought 12400F might be sufficient)
- Cyberpunk 2077
- No Man's Sky
- Cities Skylines 2 if the game is eventually optimised :/
Thought I'd go for a Z690 to have better airflow between GPU, RAM and SSD and additional ports in case I upgrade to 13th or 14th gen Intel instead of AM5. Current ASUS Prime mobo has very little clearance between these parts and decent negative pressure airflow isn't keeping the SSD cool enough (though perhaps the lack of aftermarket CPU air cooler is more to blame here?)
Thanks for your help!
octoburn@reddit
If you're not planning to pursue 1440p+, i.e. upgrade to whatever is a top-tier PC whenever you're upgrading, there's the point in going for 4080S right now and opting for 4070S./sweating. You won't see any meaningful performance difference under 1440p mid-high. 4070S ti is just a 4070S with the memory from 4080S, and I know it sounds insane, but rendering isn't that trivial and it's a pile of marketing crap equal to 4060ti 16gb.
Now for the "proofing" part. Yes, in another 6-7 years, 4080s will be noticeably better. But at the same time, the 4070S costs half today, and in 6 years, $600$ would get you a better card than 4080s. Remember 1080TI vs. 3060?
12400f, 4070s, b760m*, ddr5 and a second good nvme(if not yet). I believe that'll still be less than a 4080S for far greater gains.
*Z-chips and overclocking will not benefit you gaming-wise unless you're trying to squeeze that little extra from your 90-series GPU. B760 will still seat 14900k. Minus some control features, but that thing only cares about cooling anyway.
OrganicContentFarmer@reddit (OP)
Appreciate you sharing such detailed advice on both GPU and overall build! I watched some terrific videos from YouTuber Daniel Owen. His detailed tests showed very little increase in performance between a 4080 Super and a 4070 TI Super.
I remember the trusty old 1080 TI. I ran 2 in an SLI config for a few years. It was my first tank gaming PC and I thought I was super fly with SLI \^__\^
Interesting that you mentioned DDR5 with the 12400F build. Given that my current 12400F/3060 TI build is DDR4, I think I'll take the advice of some other Redditors in this post and wait out the AM5 pricing cycle a bit longer. Even if 9800X3D's price doesn't end up dropping significantly next year due to heated demand (and those scum scalpers
) I'll still the opportunity to make an informed decision on whether I buy into 5th gen NVIDIA series, or go with a 4th-gen card
Question-master3@reddit
Did you end up buying the upgrade before the ddr5 price hikes?
octoburn@reddit
You're doing it right:) Another 2 cents from me.
[I was wrong about Ti Super vs Super] (https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/gpus/nvidia-geforce-rtx-4070-ti-super-review/2) Not too much though, it's around +10-15fps. You can get close to that with 70Super overclocking. Does this justify another 200$?dunno
For the 'DDR5'. Yeah, you can switch to AM5 at once. Or you could just upgrade the CPU and GPU on ddr4. You still have up to the 14th series you can upgrade to without switching anything else. Here are some CPU reference points. Plus Motherboards.
But again, I'd strongly advise you not to overpay for a top-tier CPU when all you need is a competent gaming machine. I know that 9800x3d currently is The Only CPU there is, on YT especially, but did you think to charge to the shops and buy 14900k or 4090 at the time? Would you today? Yeah, you'll have 360fps instead of 290fps of w/e. Do you need more than 290fps? More than 200?
Btw, one cool trick you can do is to manually set the CPU's power limits in the bios. Like setting your PL1 to be the max boost frequency and you have unlimited turbo mode. With something equivalent to Peerless Assassin cooling, it'll be a breeze.
Strict-Masterpiece-1@reddit
Change to AM5 and get the 9800X3D. If you want it but can't buy it just yet then wait until you can affort one. Don't buy another CPU meanwhile, do not buy another 1700 Socket motherboard because you will only be accumulating components and wasting money, you want the 9800X3D so stick with am5.
RTX 5000 series are coming soon, so you will be ready for those GPU's with your AM5 combo, then you won't need to change anything for a long time.
OrganicContentFarmer@reddit (OP)
Appreciate you sharing your advice, thank you :) given that AM5 still has life in it this seems like a very cost-effective and practical approach. I'll stay away from buying any 1700 platform parts and wait to see how the 9800X3D pricing cycle goes next year
beirch@reddit
If you're playing at 1440p I would just get a new GPU and nothing else and see if you're happy with the performance bump.
OrganicContentFarmer@reddit (OP)
I think this is the way to go, thanks for taking the time to reply :)
Numerous_Gas362@reddit
Definitely upgrade the GPU first.
OrganicContentFarmer@reddit (OP)
Thanks for the suggestion. Sounds like a risk-free approach because I'll still benefit from the GPU.
Any thoughts on how I'd know whether airflow/clearance is optimal when upgrading the mobo? I'm open to B760 but concerned about parts clearance given my current experience with the ASUS B660
SwordsAndElectrons@reddit
Upgrading your motherboard, especially to one of the same socket, is not likely to give you any significant benefit.
OrganicContentFarmer@reddit (OP)
Appreciate you clarifying this :)
rockdpm@reddit
You don't need to upgrade your 12400f is shockingly a very efficient cpu. I believe roughly around a 5600/5600x performance wise. I had one, build my wife a rig and upgraded to 12700KF so I didn't have to change motherboards. You can find some closeout deals on 12th and decent deals on 13th gen(be mindful of the issues with 13th/14th gen)... IF you want to stay with LGA1700. But like others said, don't buy another sidegrade motherboard if you are just buying a LGA1700 CPU...
Focus on GPU first, its priority for gaming. 12400F shouldn't bottleneck too much.
Wild-Wolverine-860@reddit
Ive got a 12400f and a 4060, the processor never maxes out on games I play, so for me Id be upgrading the gfx tst. Just look on a fps monitor to see what processor and gfx % are?
coololly@reddit
It makes zero sense to buy a new LGA1700 motherboard if you already have one. Thats just wasting money into a "dead" platform.
Its not going to improve your performance or change your CPU upgrade options later down the line.
If you want to buy a new motherboard, put it into something that will actually open up & improve your upgrade options. Like AM5.
DoubleRelationship85@reddit
How much you willing to spend?
DoubleRelationship85@reddit
What's your GPU? That would make a greater difference here tbh.
Agh0ri_@reddit
go for 7800x3d and a good b650 or higher board you will be CPU bound in some scenarios (viz. some airports in MSFS )but you will not feel any unsatisfactory results it gives really good performance
OrganicContentFarmer@reddit (OP)
I thought about the 7800X3D but the inflated price and thermal performance made me want to wait until 9800X3D price decreases.
On the 7800X3D, the V-cache is stacked on top of the CCD, making it harder to dissipate heat. The 9800X3D design reverses this, so the V-cache is below the CCD
Yes I'd completely understand if I remained limited by main thread in MSFS 2020 (and possibly 2024) with such a set up. I don't play with heaps of custom scenery and aircraft, so that probably helps too
Agh0ri_@reddit
Your point is technically correct yet impractical cause waiting for price drop will lead to the launch of new chip and cycle goes on. also there is only 8 9% performance difference in both processors so i prefer saving some bucks on it and invest somewhere.
Talking about the temps we are using such CCD and V cache layout since along now as they revolutionised it people started caring about it otherwise it is good. get a good cooler and you are good
Low-Blackberry-9065@reddit
Don't change your old get mb for another old gen one. If you plan on changing the MB it's generally a better idea to change to a newer platform.
Next gen gpus will be announced at CES in early January (the rumors say) so it's not a particularly good time to buy an expansive soon to be older gen GPU unless on some nice sale.
Hard to make recommendations without knowing local pricing. The 7500f system price you listed is enormous.