I'm looking to build a PC for my wife to help her get started in gaming. She's not super into games, so I don't expect heavy usage. Given the skyrocketing prices of RAM lately, is DDR4 still a good choice, or should I invest in DDR5 instead? She'll mainly be playing at 1080p and likely stick to lighter games like Minecraft and Arc Raiders. Any other tips or suggestions for this build would be hugely appreciated! Thanks!
5 Answers
If you want to compare costs, check the difference between DDR4 and DDR5. If it's only around $100 more for DDR5 and you're comfortable spending that, then go for it. Otherwise, DDR4 will serve your needs perfectly. Just make sure to get a good CPU to match!
DDR4 is totally fine, especially for casual use. My system still runs on DDR4 (64GB) with an i7 11700K and it works like a charm. Just remember to pick components that are compatible and you’ll be all set!
Definitely go with DDR4! Just be cautious of pricing since some retailers might try to overcharge. Honestly, if she’s playing light games, I’d recommend something like an R5 5600 paired with 16GB of 3000MHz RAM and a decent graphics card like a 1080 or 2060. That would offer the best performance without breaking the bank.
For the types of games your wife will play, DDR4 with an AM4 motherboard should be perfectly fine. Right now, DDR5 isn’t worth the price difference, especially since you won’t really need that kind of performance for casual gaming. Plus, down the line, it’s easier to upgrade to 4 sticks of DDR4 RAM if you want to expand her system's memory later on.
If she’s not super into gaming, maybe consider whether building a full PC is necessary. A Steam Deck could be a great alternative. You could get her a nice game like Stardew Valley and you both could play together on your TV with a dock!
That sounds solid! You could also check out the used market for parts; you might find some good deals to keep costs down.