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6 Professor

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6.2K Posts

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June 22nd, 2024 15:36

isProTip

Video card upgrades

A question that comes up often on the boards is upgrading a video card, without upgrading the processor.

Take a look here for an extensive test of CPU's and video cards, that shows just how much CPU performance can hinder GPU performance.

This is why I usually recommend upgrading the whole machine rather than slapping a better video card in it.

7 Technologist

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10.9K Posts

June 22nd, 2024 23:08

based on the test spec from the article (Intel only)

if you do not want to look at all the graphs

2022 PC
Intel Core i9-13900K
 

2019 PC
Intel Core i9-11900K
 
2017 PC
Intel Core i7-8700K
 
GRAPHICS CARDS
Nvidia RTX 2080 (2018)
Nvidia RTX 3080 10GB (2020)
Nvidia RTX 4080 (2022)

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080
Year 2018
Benchmark CPU  Intel Core i7-8700K @ 3.70GHz ($369.89)
CPU Impact on FPS + 0.0 FPS
CPU Impact on FPS % 0.0%
Benchmark Quality Settings  Ultra Quality Settings
Average 1080p Performance 137.2 FPS
Average 1440p Performance 103.2 FPS
(Ultrawide) Average 1440p Performance 88.5 FPS
Average 4K Performance 62.3 FPS

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080
Year 2020
Benchmark CPU Intel Core i9-11900K ($488)
CPU Impact on FPS + 4.6 FPS
CPU Impact on FPS % 0.0%
Benchmark Quality Settings Ultra Quality Settings
Average 1080p Performance 237.0 FPS
Average 1440p Performance 176.5 FPS
(Ultrawide) Average 1440p Performance 151.4 FPS
Average 4K Performance 106.7 FPS

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080
Year 2022
Benchmark CPU Intel Core i9-13900K ($589)
CPU Impact on FPS + 7.7 FPS
CPU Impact on FPS % 0.0%
Benchmark Quality Settings Ultra Quality Settings
Average 1080p Performance 316.3 FPS
Average 1440p Performance 241.9 FPS
(Ultrawide) Average 1440p Performance 210.9 FPS
Average 4K Performance 152.6 FPS

(edited)

7 Technologist

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10.9K Posts

June 22nd, 2024 23:17

the table above shows a good match btn cpu and gpu.  there is significant speed up of fps at 4k every 2-3 years, justifying the super expensive cost of each combo going to Intel and Nvidia coffer.

the point of article and OP is if you do not match cpu w gpu and you upgrade gpu first while staying on outdated cpu platform, there will be some performance hold back of the super fast new gpu.   But it may be minor.

 

example, 

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080
Year 2022
Benchmark CPU  Intel Core i9-11900K ($488)
CPU Impact on FPS -3.1 FPS
CPU Impact on FPS % 0.0%
Benchmark Quality Settings  Ultra Quality Settings
Average 1080p Performance 305.5 FPS
Average 1440p Performance 233.6 FPS
(Ultrawide) Average 1440p Performance 204.2 FPS
Average 4K Performance 148.1 FPS

 a drop from 156 fps at 4k.

this shows you do not have to upgrade to 13gen to match 4080.  the 11th gen in AW R11 seems ok for now.

another example 

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080
Year 2020
Benchmark CPU Intel Core i7-8700K @ 3.70GHz ($369.89)
CPU Impact on FPS -9.3 FPS
CPU Impact on FPS % 0.0%
Benchmark Quality Settings Ultra Quality Settings
Average 1080p Performance 223.1 FPS
Average 1440p Performance 166.1 FPS
(Ultrawide) Average 1440p Performance 142.8 FPS
Average 4K Performance 100.8 FPS

down from 106 fps.  that seems tolerable.

this seems to say a little mismatch is ok,  a glaring mismatch is probably bad idea.  here is a bad example

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080
Year 2022
Benchmark CPU  Intel Core i7-8700K @ 3.70GHz ($369.89)
CPU Impact on FPS -27.8 FPS
CPU Impact on FPS % -10.0%
Benchmark Quality Settings  Ultra Quality Settings
Average 1080p Performance 280.8 FPS
Average 1440p Performance 214.8 FPS
(Ultrawide) Average 1440p Performance 187.7 FPS
Average 4K Performance 136.1 FPS

down from 152 that you would have got if you upgraded cpu to 11-13th.  go figure.

(edited)

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