I'm looking to downsize my current PC setup because my girlfriend isn't a fan of the big tower we have. As we're moving, she's hoping I'll either get rid of it or switch to something smaller, preferably a laptop. However, I currently have a custom rig with an RTX 2060, an AMD Ryzen 7 5800X, and 32 GB of DDR4 RAM. I'm also planning to upgrade to an RTX 5070, but I've never built a small PC before.
I'm torn between sticking with an AM4 build or upgrading to the Ryzen 7 7000-series with DDR5. Are there any compact case recommendations you have? And what do you think would be the best route for me?
4 Answers
For small form factor cases, I'd suggest checking out the CH260. Honestly, unless you're looking for the latest tech, sticking with DDR4 and AM4 would save you a lot of cash, especially since memory prices for DDR5 are pretty high. I'd also recommend considering the Phanteks-XT M3, though it’s slightly larger. The Ryzen 7 5800X you have is still quite capable, so don't feel pressured to upgrade just yet.
For a compact build, I’d ask if you're planning to keep your ATX PSU or switch to a smaller SFX unit? I think focusing on your GPU upgrade is a good call right now, as your existing CPU and RAM are solid. Also, what size do you prefer for the cases? You can go for tall and narrow or a low and long design depending on your setup.
Just ditch the big PC altogether, man! You could offload it easily and take some of that stress out of the moving process. Plus, you’ll like the new compact setup once it's all said and done. Seriously, simpler is often better!
I think staying on AM4 is smart since you already have the 5800X; upgrading later can be considered, but it might not be necessary right now. Just remember to keep your workflow needs in mind—noticeable gains in performance can come from those GPU upgrades instead!
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