So I have three main components that I would like some recommendations for. My thoughts on each below.
A. CPU: Current: Intel Core i7-12700F
B. GPU: ASUS GeForce RTX 3080 TUF Gaming OC V2 10Gb.
C. Headset: Quest 2 using Virtual Desktop over VDXR
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Would just a faster CPU mean that encoding and streaming to the Quest 2 would be less taxing thus creating less stuttering, meaning that the GPU and Q2 could stay. As far as I can see, without switching to AMD 5800X3D, there are no huge gains to be gotten even if my mobo can handle the i9. Am I correct?
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Would just upgrading the GPU mean the same as above or would any potential quality increase in the graphics mean that I would also have to upgrade the CPU to handle the higher bitrate (I don’t know it it’s the CPU or the GPU that handles the encoding of the VD stream). GPUs significantly better than the 3080 are hugely expensive, so this would probably be my last resort as far as upgrading goes.
My own answer to this would be: My current setup is decent, and if I was to spend 1500+ USD I’d need it to go from decent to great, but without also upgrading my headset to something like the Crystal or Varjo Aero that is probably not the case. If I am wrong then please correct me 
- Or would the Displayport tethered Reverb allow for the same or higher quality settings without stutters on my current setup because there is no need to encode a stream to send to the headset?
My opinion (for what it’s worth…)
The GPU - in particular, VRAM - is more important than the latest and greatest CPU, especially for VR.
You can get an RTX 4080 w/16GB for $1,200 right now.
You should be able to sell your 3080 for $400, making it an $800 GPU upgrade.
Having said that, it seems to me that it’s also important to have a balance of CPU/GPU performance. I think your i7-12700F is decent (although a ‘K’ version would be better, since it is unlocked and thus overclocked much more easily than the ‘F’ series.)
The higher core count of the i9-series ‘might’ be valuable for FS2024, since it will supposedly have much better multi-core utilization than FS2020.
Re. the 4080. Norwegian currency has tanked the past year and over here the 4080 I’d prefer is just above 1550 USD. Might get 590 USD for my 3080, which leaves about 1K.
Something to consider of course.
The i7-12700K is 399 USD.
There will be some good deals to be had in the 3080 area in January when the revised editions are released. Intel CPU are fairly stagnant after the 12 series imo. I really would not replace that one.
But… tbf that is decent kit. I run a 3090 GPU and 5950 CPU. My next upgrade will be this time next year. This will be a two generation jump for me.
AMD and Nvidia will have new GPUs in first quarter 2025, maybe earlier. I have no intention of looking at the AMD cards coming mid 2024 (RDNA 5). They will only be a small bump over the current series. The AMD release at the end of the year or start or 2025 will be much stronger.
AMD next gen Ryzen 5 will arrive fourth quarter 2024. This is rumoured to be a 10-15% on current series. Ryzen 6 is reckoned to be the biggest jump and most likely on a different platform. I don’t want to wait that long though.