Hey everyone! I'm planning to build a PC for my friend who has been using a 10-year-old i7 and GTX 1070. I'm aiming for a setup that can handle 1440p gaming for the next few years. I've got some DDR4 RAM, a 3080, and a 750W power supply lying around, so I've decided to go with an AM4 build. Do you think this choice is worthwhile? I've spent about $650 on it. Here's the specs:
CPU: Ryzen 5700X
Memory: LPX Vengeance DDR4 16GB 3200MHz
Motherboard: B550M-A WiFi II
Cooler: Deep Cool Digital AK400 SE
SSD: Kingston NV3 1TB
Case Fans: 3x Darkflash Gauss G24 (White)
Case: Lian Li A3 Wood White
PSU: Corsair RM750 750W
GPU: MSI 3080 Ventus 3X OC LHR
5 Answers
Have you considered a build using the 12400F with a B660 motherboard? If the cost difference is only around $100, it might give your friend more upgrade options down the line. Just a thought!
Totally worth it! If your 3060 laptop can handle games well, a 3080 will definitely elevate the experience, especially moving from a 1070. Your friend will notice a huge difference!
Is it worth it? That's up for debate. Splurging on the case and fans might not be necessary if you're on a budget. Plus, AM4 has limited future upgrades, so you might want to think about that.
"Worth it" really depends on what you want. I would suggest giving your friend the 3080 as is, it could drastically improve his gaming without investing $650 into an AM4 setup that's nearing its end. Just my two cents!
AM4 might be getting old, but it's definitely not dead yet! A lot of people are still using it and there are plenty of folks on older hardware. Just consider what most gamers actually have out there.
If you're close to a MicroCenter, you could grab an AM5 bundle for under $650, including CPU, motherboard, and RAM. It would give your friend a longer-lasting setup!
Honestly, I feel your pain. The DDR5 prices are a killer right now! I went with an AM4 build too because of the RAM I had on hand, so it's good to see someone else in the same boat.