Question Struggling to play newer games on my build

[CitizenKane]

Hello

My PC setup allows me to play games like The Witcher 3 and GTA V perfectly with maximum graphics settings at 1440p. However those are probably the newest games I’d played until recently when I got around to trying Red Dead Redemption 2. With that game I’m struggling to get a decent frame rate while playing it even at moderate graphics settings.

Most parts in the PC are from 2017 and I had thought my setup was relatively future-proofed, but I suppose some of it is ageing a bit now. Set up is listed below.

Does anyone have any thoughts on whether my setup should still allow me to get good performance on games like RDR2 or if not what the weak link might be? The first new game I’m really looking forward to playing in years is Starfield, so I’d like to know whether my setup will be capable of running that well or if I’ll need to do some upgrades.

Thank you!

Motherboard: Asus ROG Maximus IX Hero
CPU: Intel i7 7700k
GPU: Nvidia GTX 980 Ti Hybrid
SSD 1: Samsung Evo 970 2TB
SSD 2: Samsung Evo 960 1TB
HDD: Seagate 1TB
RAM: Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 3000 C15 (2x8GB)
Cooler: Noctua NH-D15
PSU: 850w
Monitor: Asus ROG Swift PG279Q 165Hz IPS

 

[XxDarkMario20xX]

if your struggling with playing new games then think it be time for an upgrade because every year games getting more powerful and games can play better in past but in future our gpu won’t be as strong as they are when they come out

 

[imsurgical]

It's possible for you to do a significant upgrade while retaining most of your current platform parts to spend the least amount as possible...whether that be Intel or AMD. You could take everything except the CPU, Motherboard and GPU and jump to LGA 1700 or AM4 platform that utilizes your DDR4:

Examples (Intel) :

• ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus ($189.99)
• ASUS TUF GAMING B760-PLUS WIFI ($189.99)
• MSI MAG B760 TOMAHAWK WIFI ($189.99)

Examples (AMD) :

• GIGABYTE X570S AORUS ELITE AX ($189.99)
• ASRock X570 STEEL LEGEND ($145.99)

After an appropriate board is picked (doesn't necessarily have to be those...they're just examples) you can choose an Intel 12th Gen, Intel 13th Gen or AMD AM4 Ryzen 5000 CPU (depending on choice of motherboard), followed by a much newer GPU and you will have a huge uptick in performance and even utilze more of that refresh rate the monitor has to offer than you ever did with that 980 Ti. Doesn't even have to be current generation GPU's, even previous generation (RTX 30 series / Radeon 6000 series) is a huge significant upgrade from what you're using.

So essentially (3) items to upgrade, and the rest you can use, putting you on a much newer platform that should take you out further in the years to come again.

Intel LGA 1700 is on its last legs for Intel 12th/13th Gen before they move to a new LGA socket for Meteor Lak. Depending on the board/chipset you pick however, and how much you spend, could feature newer "standards" not yet fully taken advantage of (PCIe 5.0 x16 etc.).

With AMD AM4, because it's the last DDR4 platform that AMD supported, and their previous generation, you can find some things cheaper than Intel LGA1700 and not really lose out on too much while saving money.

Intel Example : 13700K price average - $410
AMD Example : 5800X3D price average - $350

Intel Example : 13600K price average - $317
AMD Example : AMD Ryzen 7 5800X price average - $238

• You will see a higher average & min FPS lead in the 13700K versus 5800X3D and like so for the mid-range CPU's, but costs more. Whereas the 5800X3D has a lower average & min FPS than the 13700K, but obviously costs less...but they're both so fast, that savings could mean more to you to put towards a GPU than spending more on the CPU...but then you're weighing other things if you decide to go AM4 (explained below).

Things like PCIe 4.0 x16 (not PCIe 5.0 x16) which is the current standard and M.2 PCIe 4.0 x4 storage standard for AM4 X570 and some B550 chipsets/platforms. So no newer PCIe 5.0 across the GPU or M.2 interface, but there are currently no consumer GPU's that utilize PCIe 5.0 x16 at the moment anyway and M.2 PCIe 5.0 x4 drives are so expensive, you won't be missing out on any performance with the current drives you have now and utilizing PCIe 4.0 x4 for your SSD's.

Hope this helps!

 

[Nighthawk117]

I upgraded from a 6700K a couple of years ago. Games like RDR2 run a quad core CPU like the 7700K very hard, however they are still playable. For me a step too far was Cyberpunk with RT enabled. It's below the recommended specs for Starfield. Chances is are you will need an upgrade but since the game isn't out and your existing computer costs you nothing, you could always try it first.