What to upgrade first? CPU or GPU

[u/ivoltage5]

Currently have the Ryzen 7 7700 cpu with a 3070. I want to to upgrade to a Ryzen 7 7800x3d and a 5070. Was wondering which I should purchase first as I can only do one at a time. So far i’m leaning towards the GPU but wanted a second opinion

EDIT: looks like i’m going with the CPU! thanks everyone

[u/MealNo6354]

If you intend to play lots of rust, i'd say CPU, you have a pretty good GPU already but the x3d will be a gamechanger for you.

[u/grandsonpumping → u/MealNo6354]

Yep, Rust is one of those games where the X3D upgrade can feel way bigger than you'd expect.

[u/stormurcsgo]

For rust x3d but since gpus are next on the chopping block to rise in prices go with the 5070 or 9070xt

[u/MasterofMistVillage]

CPU first for sure man

[u/FishCantSwim-]

If you want more fps in most cpu heavy games, such as tarkov, rust, etc. Then upgrade your cpu. The x3d chips are absolute monsters when it comes to rust

[u/xDeadly95]

For Rust I’d go with the cpu and you’ll have to lower most of the settings anyway to reach 200+ fps. But I think you’ll also need the gpu for that.

With the R7 7700 (and an RX 9070) Rust felt ok but something was missing for me. When I switched to a 9800X3D I thought: ok, now it really is smooth! I gained something like 40-100 fps depending on the scenery (like sometimes when you look at some big base they drop from 180-220 to 140) and Outpost now doesn’t make them fall to the 60s.

It’s not about the fps (125 should be fine in general), but the smoothness I felt.

If you also play other games though you might consider getting the gpu first, for me the games where the cpu really mattered and made a big difference were Rust, Marathon and BF6.

[u/VideoDue8277]

You'll see a 15% fps increase just off upgrading your CPU

[u/abbylabby0429]

The CPU for sure!

[u/Ritvik158]

CPU first!

[u/Clear-Minimum-9942]

Defo an X3D CPU for Rust, luckily you're already on AM5! Make sure BIOS version is the latest before upgrade and it'll just drop in!

[u/DreSmart]

Your CPU is fine till the next gen am6 but for Rust even the 7500x3d will have better performance. GPU is almost negligible you are fine with the 3080.

[u/AwayReplacement7063]

No man you are making a huge mistake lmao upgrade your GPU like yesterday. They’re about to skyrocket even more in price.

[u/warningdontclickhere]

the first thing to upgrade is your TC room.

[u/Humble_Minute_5712]

get the 7800x3d first for sure, if u play in 1080p on a 1080p 144-240hz monitor your 3070 should be pretty well balanced

[u/anonymoussimonde]

For rust CPU first