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Expert answers to the 100 most searched PC hardware questions. Real benchmark data, honest recommendations, no fluff.
102 questions
No, the i5-13400F does not bottleneck the RTX 4070 at 1440p. At this resolution, the GPU handles the heavy lifting while the 6P+4E core CPU keeps frame delivery smooth. You will see less than 5% performance difference compared to an i7-13700K in most games at 1440p.
No, the Ryzen 5 7600 does not bottleneck the RTX 4070 Ti in gaming. This 6-core Zen 4 CPU delivers within 2-4% of the Ryzen 7 7700X in most games, making it one of the best value pairings for high-refresh 1440p gaming.
No, the i7-12700K will not bottleneck the RTX 4080 Super at 4K. At 4K resolution, the GPU does nearly all the work. The 12700K's 8P+4E cores provide more than enough processing power, and you will see virtually identical performance to a 14900K at this resolution.
The Ryzen 7 7800X3D does not bottleneck the RTX 4090 at 1440p or 4K. In fact, the 7800X3D is the single best gaming CPU you can pair with the RTX 4090 thanks to its massive 96MB 3D V-Cache, which eliminates CPU-side frame drops.
Yes, the i3-12100F is enough for the RTX 4060 at 1080p and even 1440p in most titles. This 4-core CPU punches above its weight with strong single-thread performance. Expect only a 5-8% deficit compared to an i5-13400F in GPU-bound scenarios.
The Ryzen 5 5600 may cause a minor bottleneck with the RX 7800 XT at 1080p, limiting performance by about 8-12% compared to a Zen 4 CPU. At 1440p, the bottleneck drops to 3-5% and becomes negligible. This is still a solid pairing for most gamers.
No, the i5-13600K does not bottleneck the RTX 4070 at 1080p. Even at this CPU-demanding resolution, the 13600K's 6P+8E cores and 5.1 GHz boost clock deliver excellent frame rates. It matches within 2% of the i7-13700K in gaming workloads.
The Ryzen 7 7700X is slightly overkill for the RTX 4070, but that is not a bad thing. You get smooth performance with significant CPU headroom for streaming, background tasks, and future GPU upgrades. It performs within 1-2% of the 7800X3D with this GPU.
No, the i9-14900K does not bottleneck the RTX 4090 at any resolution. With 24 cores, 5.8 GHz boost, and massive multi-threaded power, it is one of the most capable gaming CPUs available. At 4K it ties with the 7800X3D; at 1080p it trades blows depending on the title.
No, the Ryzen 5 7600X does not bottleneck the RX 7900 GRE. This Zen 4 CPU has excellent single-thread performance that keeps the 7900 GRE running at full speed. At 1440p, you will see less than 3% performance difference versus a Ryzen 7 7700X.
Yes, the i5-12400F is enough for the RTX 4060 Ti. This 6-core Alder Lake CPU delivers within 5-7% of the i5-13400F in gaming. At 1440p, the performance gap shrinks to just 2-3%, making this an excellent budget-friendly pairing.
No, the Ryzen 7 5800X3D does not bottleneck the RTX 4080 at 1440p or 4K. The 3D V-Cache gives this AM4 CPU gaming performance that rivals Zen 4 chips. At 4K, it performs identically to the 7800X3D. At 1440p, expect only a 3-5% gap.
No, the i7-13700K does not bottleneck the RTX 4070 Ti Super at any resolution. With 8P+8E cores and a 5.4 GHz boost, this CPU has massive headroom. It delivers identical gaming performance to the i9-13900K in GPU-bound scenarios.
Yes, the Ryzen 9 7900X is overkill for pure 1440p gaming. Its 12 cores and 24 threads provide no meaningful advantage over the Ryzen 5 7600 in games at this resolution. However, it makes sense if you also do content creation, streaming, or productivity work.
No, the i5-14600K does not bottleneck the RTX 4070 Super. This 14-core CPU (6P+8E) with 5.3 GHz boost is essentially a slightly faster i5-13600K and handles any current gaming GPU without issues. You will see GPU-limited performance at all resolutions.
The Ryzen 5 5600X causes a minor bottleneck with the RTX 4070 at 1080p, limiting performance by roughly 10-15% compared to a Zen 4 CPU. At 1440p, the gap narrows to 5-8%. This is still a viable pairing, but Zen 3 is showing its age with high-end GPUs.
No, the Ryzen 9 7950X3D does not bottleneck the RTX 4090 at 4K. This is the most powerful consumer CPU available, with 16 cores and 128MB of combined cache. At 4K, it delivers the same gaming performance as the 7800X3D while offering unmatched productivity.
The i7-11700K is enough for the RTX 4080 at 4K, where performance matches modern CPUs within 2%. At 1440p, expect an 8-12% deficit compared to a 13700K. The Rocket Lake architecture limits this chip at lower resolutions, but it remains viable at higher ones.
The Ryzen 7 5800X may bottleneck the RX 7900 XT by 8-12% at 1080p, but at 1440p the gap drops to 4-6%. At 4K, there is no meaningful bottleneck. The 5800X is still a capable gaming CPU but is showing its limits with top-tier GPUs.
The i3-13100F handles the RTX 4060 well at 1080p, with only a 3-6% performance gap versus the i5-13400F. At 1440p, the difference is negligible. This 4-core CPU is an excellent ultra-budget choice for an RTX 4060 build.
Yes, the Ryzen 9 7900X3D is overkill for the RTX 4070 Ti in gaming. The 7800X3D delivers identical gaming performance for significantly less money. The 12-core 7900X3D only makes sense if you also need strong multi-threaded workstation performance.
No, the i5-12600K does not bottleneck the RTX 4070. This 10-core (6P+4E) Alder Lake CPU has plenty of power for any mid-range GPU. At 1440p, it performs within 3% of the i5-13600K and keeps the RTX 4070 fully utilized.
The i7-14700K is overkill for pure 1440p gaming, but it is a solid choice if you multitask or plan to keep your PC for 4+ years. For gaming alone, the i5-14600K delivers within 2-3% of the performance at a much lower price.
The Ryzen 5 5500 can bottleneck the RTX 4060 by 10-18% at 1080p due to its limited L3 cache (16MB vs 32MB on the 5600). At 1440p, the gap narrows to 6-10%. The 5500 is viable but the 5600 is a significantly better choice for a small price premium.
No, the i9-13900K does not bottleneck the RTX 4090 at 1080p. Even at this CPU-intensive resolution, the 24-core 13900K pushes extreme frame rates. It trades blows with the 7800X3D at 1080p, winning in some titles and losing in others by small margins.
Yes, the Ryzen 7 5700X3D is enough for the RTX 4080. Its 96MB V-Cache delivers gaming performance within 3-5% of the 7800X3D at 1440p and identical results at 4K. This is the best AM4 CPU for high-end gaming builds.
No, the i5-11400F does not bottleneck the RTX 3060 Ti. This 6-core Rocket Lake CPU pairs well with mid-range GPUs from this generation. At 1080p, you get full RTX 3060 Ti performance with minimal CPU limitation.
No, the Ryzen 5 7500F does not bottleneck the RTX 4070. It is essentially a Ryzen 5 7600 without integrated graphics, delivering identical gaming performance. At 1440p, this CPU keeps the RTX 4070 running at full speed with zero compromise.
Yes, the i7-12700F is enough for the RTX 4070 Ti. This 12-core (8P+4E) Alder Lake CPU delivers within 2-3% of the 13700K in gaming. The only limitation is it cannot be overclocked, but this barely matters for GPU-bound gaming.
The Ryzen 5 5600G will bottleneck the RTX 4060 by 12-20% at 1080p. The 5600G has half the L3 cache (16MB vs 32MB) of the regular 5600, which significantly impacts gaming performance. The 5600 is a much better choice for dedicated GPU builds.
Yes, 650W is enough for the RTX 4070 and i5-13400F. This combo draws approximately 350-380W under full gaming load. A quality 650W 80+ Gold PSU provides adequate headroom with 270W to spare for drives, fans, and power spikes.
Yes, 750W is enough for the RTX 4070 Ti and 7800X3D. This system draws approximately 380-420W under full gaming load. A 750W 80+ Gold PSU provides ample headroom and handles power transients safely.
Yes, 850W is enough for the RTX 4080 Super and i7-14700K. This high-end system draws approximately 480-550W under full gaming load. An 850W PSU provides sufficient headroom for power spikes and maintains good efficiency.
No, 1000W is not overkill for the RTX 4090. NVIDIA officially recommends an 850W PSU as minimum, and real-world systems with a high-end CPU can draw 650-750W under gaming load. The 1000W provides necessary headroom for transient spikes that can exceed 600W from the GPU alone.
Yes, a 550W PSU can run the RTX 4060 Ti 16GB. The 16GB variant has the same 160W TDP as the 8GB model. With a mid-range CPU, total system power is approximately 300-350W, well within a quality 550W PSU's capacity.
A 600W PSU is cutting it close for the RX 7800 XT. AMD recommends a 700W minimum. With a 263W TDP and power spikes up to 310W, a 600W PSU leaves minimal headroom. We recommend 650W minimum or ideally 700W for reliable operation.
750W is tight for the RTX 4080 and i7-13700K. This combo draws approximately 450-520W under gaming load, with transient spikes pushing higher. An 850W PSU is the safer and recommended choice for this high-end pairing.
Yes, a 500W PSU can run the RTX 4060. This GPU has a remarkably low 115W TDP. Combined with a mid-range CPU, total system power is approximately 250-300W, leaving 200W of headroom on a 500W unit. NVIDIA officially lists 550W as recommended.
850W is the absolute minimum for the RTX 4090 + i9-14900K. This power-hungry combo draws 650-750W under gaming load with transient spikes exceeding 900W. We recommend 1000W for reliable, stress-free operation with this flagship pairing.
The best motherboard for the i7-14700K is the MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi for most builds. It delivers excellent VRM quality for sustained performance, WiFi 6E, and four M.2 slots at a reasonable price. Budget builders should consider the MSI PRO B760-P WiFi.
Yes, 650W is enough for the RX 7700 XT and Ryzen 5 7600. This efficient AMD combo draws approximately 320-370W under gaming load. A quality 650W PSU handles it with over 280W of headroom.
Yes, 700W is enough for the RTX 4070 Super with any mainstream CPU. The RTX 4070 Super has a 220W TDP, and total system power typically stays under 400W. NVIDIA recommends 650W, so 700W gives you comfortable headroom.
Yes, a 450W PSU comfortably runs the GTX 1660 Super. This GPU has a modest 125W TDP and the entire system typically draws 250-280W under gaming load. Even basic 450W units handle this classic GPU without any issues.
Yes, 1200W is overkill for almost every single-GPU gaming PC in 2026. Even the most power-hungry combo (RTX 4090 + i9-14900K) draws only 650-750W under gaming load. A 1200W PSU is only justified for dual-GPU workstation builds or extreme overclocking setups.
The best RAM for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D is 32GB DDR5-6000 CL30 in a 2x16GB kit. DDR5-6000 hits the AM5 sweet spot where the Infinity Fabric runs at a 1:1 ratio with the memory clock, giving optimal latency and bandwidth for gaming.
The ideal PSU wattage for the RTX 4070 and Ryzen 7 7700X is 650W. This combo draws approximately 340-380W under gaming load. A 650W 80+ Gold PSU runs at optimal efficiency while providing 270W of headroom for spikes.
You do not strictly need a PCIe 5.0 (ATX 3.0) PSU for the RTX 4080, but it is recommended. ATX 3.0 PSUs include a native 12VHPWR connector, eliminating the need for adapters. They also handle power transients better, which matters for high-end GPUs.
The best CPU for the RTX 4070 at 1440p is the Ryzen 5 7600 for value or the Ryzen 7 7800X3D for maximum performance. At 1440p, the GPU is the bottleneck in most games, so even the Ryzen 5 7600 delivers 95%+ of the performance at half the price of flagship CPUs.
The best GPU for the i5-13400F under $600 AUD is the RTX 4060 Ti 8GB at around $500-550 AUD. It delivers excellent 1080p and capable 1440p performance without bottlenecking on this CPU. The RX 7700 XT is a strong alternative at similar pricing.
The best budget CPU for the RTX 4060 is the Intel Core i5-12400F at around $150 AUD. It delivers 93-95% of the gaming performance of more expensive CPUs with zero bottleneck at 1080p. The Ryzen 5 5600 at $160 AUD is an equally good AMD alternative.
The best CPU for RTX 4090 4K gaming is the Ryzen 7 7800X3D. At 4K, every CPU from the Ryzen 5 7600 to the i9-14900K delivers identical frame rates because the GPU is the bottleneck. The 7800X3D is the sweet spot for its V-Cache advantage in the rare CPU-bound moments.
The best 1440p GPU under $800 AUD is the RX 7800 XT at around $620 AUD. It delivers outstanding 1440p performance with 16GB VRAM for future-proofing. The RTX 4070 at $750 AUD is the alternative if you value DLSS 3 and ray tracing.
The best CPU for the RX 7800 XT is the Ryzen 5 7600 for value or the Ryzen 7 7800X3D for peak performance. Both pair naturally on the AM5 platform with Smart Access Memory. The i5-13400F is the best Intel alternative for budget builds.
The best GPU for the Ryzen 5 7600 is the RTX 4070 for 1440p gaming or the RX 7800 XT for best value. This CPU handles any GPU up to the RTX 4080 without bottlenecking at 1440p, so choose based on your budget and resolution.
The best 1080p GPU under $400 AUD is the RTX 4060 at around $400 AUD. It delivers 60-120 fps in AAA titles at high settings with DLSS 3 support and incredible power efficiency at just 115W. The RX 7600 at $350 AUD is the budget alternative.
The best CPU for the RTX 4080 Super is the Ryzen 7 7800X3D for gaming or the i7-14700K for gaming plus productivity. At 1440p and 4K, the 7800X3D's V-Cache delivers the smoothest gaming experience, while the 14700K adds multi-threaded power for creators.
The best GPU for the i7-12700K is the RTX 4070 Ti Super for 1440p or the RTX 4080 for 4K gaming. This 12th gen i7 has enough power to drive any current GPU without bottlenecking at 1440p and above.
The best budget 1440p build in 2026 costs approximately $1400-1600 AUD and centers around the Ryzen 5 7600 + RX 7800 XT. This combo delivers 80-95 fps at 1440p High in modern titles with 16GB VRAM for future-proofing.
The best CPU cooler for the 7800X3D is a quality tower air cooler like the Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE (~$55 AUD) or the Noctua NH-D15S (~$130 AUD). The 7800X3D runs cool at 120W TDP, so expensive 360mm AIOs are unnecessary.
The best SSD for a gaming PC in 2026 is a 2TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe drive like the WD Black SN770 or Samsung 980 Pro. Gen4 offers the ideal price-to-performance ratio for gaming, as Gen5 drives show no measurable improvement in game load times.
The best case for the RTX 4090 with optimal airflow is the Fractal Design Torrent at around $250 AUD. It fits the 4090's massive 336mm+ length with room to spare, has excellent bottom-to-top airflow, and includes two 180mm fans for outstanding cooling.
The best 4K GPU under $1500 AUD is the RTX 4080 Super at around $1400-1500 AUD. It delivers 60-80 fps at 4K Ultra in most titles, with DLSS 3 pushing many games above 100 fps. The RTX 4070 Ti Super at $1050 is the value alternative for 4K entry.
The best CPU for the RTX 4060 Ti is the Intel Core i5-13400F for value or the Ryzen 5 7600 for a modern platform. Both deliver 95%+ of the performance of flagship CPUs with this mid-range GPU. Do not overspend on the CPU for this tier.
The best GPU for simultaneous streaming and gaming is the RTX 4070 or RTX 4070 Super. NVIDIA's NVENC encoder produces stream quality comparable to x264 Medium without using CPU resources. The RTX 4070 handles 1440p gaming + 1080p streaming without frame drops.
The best white GPU is the ASUS ROG Strix RTX 4070 Ti Super White at around $1200 AUD for premium builds, or the Zotac RTX 4070 Twin Edge White at $800 AUD for value. White GPUs now match their standard counterparts in performance and cooling.
The Ryzen 5 7600 edges ahead by 3-5% in gaming due to Zen 4's higher IPC and DDR5 bandwidth. However, the i5-13400F offers a significantly cheaper platform with DDR4. Choose the 7600 for AM5 future-proofing or the 13400F for lowest total cost.
The RX 7800 XT and RTX 4070 are neck-and-neck in rasterization at 1440p, with the 7800 XT winning by 2-5% in most titles. The RTX 4070 wins in ray tracing and has DLSS 3 Frame Generation. The 7800 XT costs $130 less and has 16GB VRAM vs 12GB.
The i7-13700K and Ryzen 7 7700X trade blows in gaming, with the 13700K winning by 2-3% in most titles at 1080p. At 1440p and above, they are within margin of error. The 13700K's extra E-cores give it a strong multitasking advantage.
Yes, upgrading from the RTX 3060 Ti to the RTX 4070 is worth it. The RTX 4070 is 45-55% faster in rasterization and adds DLSS 3 Frame Generation. At a net cost of ~$470 AUD after selling your 3060 Ti, this is a meaningful generation-over-generation upgrade.
The RTX 4060 Ti 16GB is identical in performance to the 8GB model in games that use under 8GB VRAM. In titles exceeding 8GB at 1440p (Hogwarts Legacy, The Last of Us), the 16GB model avoids stutters. The 16GB version costs $80-100 AUD more.
DDR4-3200 and DDR5-5600 perform within 3-5% of each other in gaming with the i5-13400F. The DDR4 platform costs $80-120 AUD less overall. DDR5 only shows meaningful gains with very fast kits (6000+ MHz) that are expensive. DDR4 is the value choice.
The 7800X3D beats the i7-14700K in gaming by 5-10% at 1080p and 3-5% at 1440p thanks to its 96MB V-Cache. The 14700K dominates in productivity with its 20 cores. For pure gaming, buy the 7800X3D. For gaming plus content creation, buy the 14700K.
The RTX 4070 Super is 10-15% faster than the RTX 4070. If buying new, the Super is the better buy for $100 AUD more. If you already own the RTX 4070, the 15% gain is not worth the upgrade cost. Wait for the RTX 5070 instead.
32GB is the new standard for gaming in 2026. Several modern titles use 14-16GB of RAM, leaving 16GB systems with no headroom for background tasks. The price gap is only $30-50 AUD for DDR4 and $40-60 AUD for DDR5, making 32GB the clear choice.
The RTX 4090 is 30-40% faster than the RTX 4080 at 4K but costs 70-80% more. The 4080 delivers 55-75 fps at 4K Ultra in most games, while the 4090 pushes 75-105 fps. For 4K 60fps gaming, the 4080 is sufficient. For 4K 120fps, only the 4090 delivers.
The Ryzen 5 5600 and i5-12400F are within 2% of each other in gaming. The i5-12400F typically costs $10-20 less. The Ryzen 5 5600 can be upgraded to a 5800X3D on AM4. Choose based on which platform offers cheaper motherboards in your region.
The RTX 4060 is 10-15% faster than the RX 7600 in rasterization and significantly better in ray tracing. It also has DLSS 3 Frame Generation. However, the RX 7600 costs $50 AUD less. The RTX 4060 is the better GPU; the RX 7600 is the better deal.
The 7800X3D is 5-12% faster than the 5800X3D in gaming depending on the title. However, upgrading requires a new motherboard and DDR5 RAM, costing $600-800 AUD total. For a 5-12% gaming gain, this is not worth it for most gamers.
Yes, 64GB RAM is overkill for pure gaming in 2026. No current game uses more than 20GB of RAM. 32GB (2x16GB) is the sweet spot, handling every game plus background apps with headroom. 64GB only makes sense for content creation, VMs, or heavy multitasking.
The RTX 4070 Ti Super delivers 92-95% of the RTX 4080's performance for 75% of the price. The 4080 is only 5-8% faster while costing $350-400 AUD more. The 4070 Ti Super is the significantly better value proposition.
The Ryzen 9 7950X3D edges ahead in gaming by 3-8% thanks to V-Cache, while the i9-14900K wins in multi-threaded productivity by 10-15%. Both are overkill for gaming. For pure gaming, the 7800X3D outperforms both at half the price.
The RTX 4070 Ti Super and RX 7900 XT trade blows in rasterization, with the 7900 XT winning by 3-5% on average. The 4070 Ti Super has superior ray tracing, DLSS 3, and better power efficiency. The 7900 XT offers better value at $100-150 less.
For the RTX 4070, 1440p 144Hz is the better choice. This GPU delivers 70-100 fps at 1440p, taking full advantage of a high-refresh monitor. At 4K, it averages 40-55 fps in demanding titles, falling short of a smooth 60 fps target in many games.
A quality air cooler is the better choice for the 7800X3D. This CPU has a 120W TDP and runs cool at 70-90W during gaming. A $55 dual-tower air cooler matches a $140+ 240mm AIO in cooling performance while being quieter, more reliable, and $85 cheaper.
The main difference between B650 and X670 is PCIe lane allocation and USB connectivity. B650 has fewer Gen5 lanes and USB ports but costs $100-200 less. For gaming, B650 is all you need. X670 only makes sense for multiple Gen5 NVMe SSDs or extensive USB peripherals.
Upgrading from the RTX 3060 Ti to the RTX 4060 is not worth it. The RTX 4060 is only 5-10% faster in rasterization. The main gains are DLSS 3 Frame Generation and better power efficiency. Wait for the RTX 5060 for a meaningful 40-50% performance jump.
AMD leads gaming in 2026 with the 7800X3D being the undisputed gaming champion thanks to V-Cache. Intel's 14th gen competes closely in pure performance but draws more power. For gaming, AMD is the recommendation. For gaming plus heavy productivity, Intel fights back.
No, do not upgrade from the 5800X3D to the 7800X3D for gaming. The 7800X3D is only 5-12% faster while requiring a new motherboard and DDR5 RAM ($590+ net cost). The 5800X3D remains one of the top gaming CPUs. Wait for Zen 5 X3D for a worthwhile jump.
The RTX 4070 can handle 4K gaming in less demanding titles and with DLSS enabled. Without DLSS, it averages 35-55 fps at 4K Ultra in demanding games. With DLSS Quality, many games hit 60+ fps. It is a capable 4K entry card but not ideal for native 4K Ultra.
Yes, 1440p is absolutely worth it over 1080p in 2026. The visual clarity improvement is dramatic on a 27-inch monitor, and GPU prices have dropped to where mid-range cards handle 1440p easily. A quality 1440p 165Hz monitor costs as little as $300 AUD.
Buy DDR5 now. DDR6 is not expected until 2028-2029 at the earliest, and early DDR6 will be expensive with limited platform support. DDR5 is mature, affordable, and fast. Waiting 2-3 years for DDR6 makes no sense when you could be gaming today.
If buying new, the RTX 4080 Super replaces the RTX 4080 at the same price with 5-8% better performance. Always buy the Super. If you already own the RTX 4080, do not upgrade - the 5-8% gain is not worth the hassle and cost of selling and rebuying.
If your current GPU handles your games acceptably, waiting for RTX 5000 is reasonable. The RTX 5070 is rumored to match or exceed RTX 4080 performance at the RTX 4070 price point. If your current GPU is struggling, buy the RTX 4070 now rather than suffering for months.
A 240Hz monitor is only worth it for the RTX 4070 if you primarily play competitive esports titles like Valorant, CS2, or Fortnite. In these games, the 4070 pushes 200-400+ fps at 1080p. For AAA titles at 1440p (60-90 fps), a 165Hz monitor is the better match.
Yes, if your old PSU is 650W or higher, 80+ rated, and has at least one 8-pin PCIe connector. The RTX 4070 draws only 200W and uses a single 16-pin connector (includes an 8-pin adapter in the box). Quality PSUs from 2018+ should work fine.
Mixing RAM brands can work but is not recommended. Different brands may have different timings, voltages, and chip manufacturers, causing instability or forcing all sticks to run at the slowest speed. For best results, buy a matched kit from one manufacturer.
No, you do not need to upgrade from PCIe 3.0 to 4.0 for gaming. Current GPUs including the RTX 4070 and 4080 show less than 2% performance difference between PCIe 3.0 x16 and PCIe 4.0 x16. Only the RTX 4090 at 1080p shows a measurable gap.
For most gaming CPUs in 2026, air cooling offers better value. A $55-130 dual-tower air cooler matches a $140-200 240mm AIO in cooling performance while being more reliable and quieter. AIOs make sense for hot CPUs like the i9-14900K or in small form factor cases.
Buying a used GPU in 2026 can offer excellent value if you buy smart. The used RTX 3080 and RX 6800 XT offer RTX 4070-class performance for $350-450 AUD. Avoid ex-mining cards, test before buying, and only purchase from sellers with return policies.
Windows 11 is slightly better for gaming in 2026 with DirectStorage support, better scheduler for hybrid CPUs (Intel 12th-14th gen), and Auto HDR. The FPS difference is 0-3% in most games. Windows 10 support ends October 2025, so upgrading to 11 is recommended regardless.
RTX cards support ray tracing and DLSS AI upscaling; GTX cards do not. In 2026, RTX is the clear choice for any new build — GTX cards are discontinued and only worth considering used at very low prices.
Use Microsoft's free PC Health Check app to instantly verify if your PC meets Windows 11 requirements. The main blockers are TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, and CPU compatibility. Most PCs from 2018 or newer will pass.