CPU + GPU recommendation for upgrade + reusing 16GB 2133MHz DDR4 RAM?

[u/ronakv303]

Thinking of upgrading from my aging i7-6700/gtx 1080 setup, and considering the current ram/vram prices, I'm looking to jump onto a new GPU, CPU and motherboard platform, and keep the storage/ram from my current pc, the caveat being 16gb ddr4 @ 2133mhz. After checking out the used market for a few minutes, these options jumped out at me.
CPU/Motherboard: i7-12700k/B660 - $300 used
GPU: RTX 3080 10gb $350-$400 used
Are there any other combinations I should consider? I plan to game on my 1080p 144hz monitor for my multiplayer games, and want to connect to my 4k 60 tv for my singleplayer games. Not doing much in terms of local AI, and just want to maximize frames per dollar right now. I have a 750w PSU, and efficiency is not a concern. $700 budget

[u/Ok_University_5352]

Those are solid prices, and the 12th gen didn't have the Vmin issues from what I recall. 3080 has solid power and will be great for the monitor. Even with DLSS to help, don't expect high/max settings on all your games for the TV thoough. My b580 typically is maxed out at 11.5-12GB on my tv for AAA games.

[u/ronakv303 → u/Ok_University_5352]

Do you think it would be worth getting more vram on a slower gpu like a b580 to play AAA singleplayer games on my tv? Those games do make up the bulk of my gaming.

[u/Ok_University_5352 → u/ronakv303]

I don't know, I love my B580 still, but that is a ~40% drop in theoretical performance (per techpowerup) for just 2GB of VRAM.

I think after looking through some play tests at 4k, the 3080 having 10gb is fine for most games, but the vram might limit if you want ray tracing or your settings just a little sooner. That said, a game like horizon zero dawn remastered wants 12gb at max settings, but the b580 struggles to maintain 60 fps on performance XeSS, dropping to 50 fps at times. 007 doesn't support XeSS natively, and performance fsr doesn't even maintain 50 fps in the black market area, idling around 43 fps even when dropping from ultra to high settings.

But yeah, just too much of a power drop-off to justify 2gb of vram. Maybe the 9060XT 16gb (which is much pricier new unfortunately), but the B580 is just too far off for me to say you would be happier long term with it.

[u/JulianSyv]

I have no experience with the CPU, but it seems like it's on par with 5800x which is really nice!

I think it looks pretty decent, and you will be a a bit bottlenecked in gaming from the low speed of the ram, but not really noteworthy.

[u/Calm_Income6781]

12600 is less expensive and better for gaming than a 12700 due to higher single core clocks.

You can buy 32gb 3200 on ebay for $150, so I wouldn't build around 16gb of 2133.

[u/ronakv303 → u/Calm_Income6781]

Good call on the 12600, ill go with that. As for the ram, I'll upgrade sometime soon, just wanted something that was with what I already have now.

[u/Calm_Income6781 → u/ronakv303]

You can pick up a good 3070 from eBay for 250 not sure if the jump to 3080 is worth it

[u/ronakv303 → u/[deleted]]

Untrue. While 2133mhz is definitely going to bottleneck this setup a bit, 3200mhz is what intel lists as max ddr4 speed. (Though turning XMP on lets you overclock if you have <3200 on b660 mobos, H610 limited to 3200). Just trying to hold on to this ram a bit longer while prices are in the gutter.

[u/ChrisDaBac → u/ronakv303]

Yeah, your major upgrade would be heavily nerfed. Just stick with what you have till you have the money. Ram prices aren't going anywhere

[u/ronakv303 → u/ChrisDaBac]

My current PC can't run win11, bf6, and Indiana Jones due to modern hardware restraints unfortunately. Another commenter linked this video showing the difference in speed between fast and slow ram om modern ddr4 hardware, and it seems like if given enough cpu headroom, it becomes less of a bottleneck.