What GPU to Pair with i5-11600K for 4K60 Gaming?

[shovenose]

I want to upgrade my RX6600 because while it was a fantastic 1080P60 card it's really not ideal for gaming at 4K and I really don't like to use stuff like FSR.

I'm leaning toward the 7900XT as I don't think the extra $100 spent on the 7900XTX will really make a big difference especially given what I will assume will be a CPU bottleneck.

On the other hand, a used 6900XT can be had in a true dual slot form factor (such as a Dell 6900XT) so I can retain my PCI-E X1 USB-C card which isn't a total must but would be nice to keep. While either 7900 option would mean removing the USB-C card. The 6900XT is probably a good pairing with my oldish i5 but I also understand most of the time the bottleneck with 4K gaming is the GPU, not CPU.

Games I care the most about are Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) and GTA (V).

I appreciate any input

 

[80-watt Hamster]

No one can answer this question honestly until the 7K series is out.

 

[P4-630]

I wouldn't pair any of those GPU's with a i5-11600K....
If I were to buy one of those GPU's I would upgrade my CPU as well to balance things out...

 

[oxrufiioxo]

For 4k gaming always get the most powerful gpu you can afford. Without upscaling even the 6900XT will struggle to hit 4k60 in some games. I'd wait for reviews to decide if the extra 100 usd is worth it for the 7900XTX the vanilla XT is cut down more than the 6800XT was vs the 6900XT so I'm guessing it's actually the 7900XT that won't be worth buying.

Your cpu is fine for 4k gaming especially paired with some decent Bdie and a slight overclock. Given how weak your current gpu is for 4k gaming I'd target gpu performance and just max out settings.

If you can get a 6900XT for close to 600 usd and don't mind turning down settings in some games it's definitely a decent deal though.

 

[droopyRO]

I wouldn't pair any of those GPU's with a i5-11600K....
If I were to buy one of those GPU's I would upgrade my CPU as well to balance things out...

That would mean changing the platform too to either AM5 with DDR5 or LGA1200 and a Raptor Lake with DDR4/5. If i were OP i would buy the GPU then test it in whatever games he's playing and see if there is a bottleneck.
I upgraded my 8600K to a 12600K for Total War Warhammer III, before it came out. Turns out that it is way more CPU optimized than Warhammer II and it was not really necessary

 

[AusWolf]

I wouldn't pair any of those GPU's with a i5-11600K....
If I were to buy one of those GPU's I would upgrade my CPU as well to balance things out...

I think the 11600K is still a fine CPU.

OP: I'd just wait for reviews and pricing on the 7900 XT and XTX and decide then.