Recently I asked about a new PC build. I got helpful responses about the topic but also a suggestion of just upgrading my GPU to a 3080 (from 3050). I looked deeper into it and it looks like I can do it easily even right now. Then I saw a 3080 FE for sale and I've always been a fan of how they look so now I want one.
However I also discovered that my CPU (i5-11400F) will be a severe bottleneck in that configuration. I don't really mind decreased GPU utilization and I'm pretty sure my CPU cooler will keep up just fine (tested in benchmarks and UE5) but will it give me any serious issues such as freezes or full on crashes? My resolution is 1080p btw (with the monitor itself actually being 768p but I increase resolution in games beyond that for better quality) but I might as well upgrade it to a 1440p one soon if necessary and use it for the new build when I undoubtedly waste my money on it.
Not all bottlenecks are created equal.
In the case of all CPU bottleneck, a relatively overpowered GPU might allow you to have better effects and resolution without increasing frame rates or loading times if those are held up by the CPU. But also turning down those features won't improve frames like they probably would with a more posmwerfull CPU. Like you might possibly get the same frames at 1440 with the new card, but it is also possible that something else on lile the mobo/RAM might be a bottleneck for loading textures or some other game related feature.
It won't hurt anything to get a good deal on a GPU if you plan on upgrading the rest in the not too distant future to get the real benefit out of it.
Yea that's what I thought. Thanks for your reply.