I'm 16 and have about €900 available for a gaming PC, not including peripherals. For now, I plan to use integrated graphics and buy a used RTX 3080 in around four months, since they cost about €275 where I live in the Netherlands. I'm deciding between AM4 and AM5. AM4 would let me spend less on the platform and probably buy the graphics card sooner, while AM5 should offer a better upgrade path and might save money in the long run. I mainly want to play at 1440p, especially Satisfactory, Factorio, and heavily modded Minecraft. I also build very large bases, so strong CPU performance matters. I originally said €850 but meant €900. Which platform makes the most sense for this budget and upgrade plan?
3 Answers
AM4 is generally the more realistic choice at this budget. You can put together a capable system with a strong gaming CPU and 32GB of DDR4 without spending too much on the motherboard and memory. Just be aware that AM4 processors with integrated graphics are mostly lower-performing laptop-derived chips; the faster desktop gaming CPUs typically require a separate graphics card.
With a €900 total budget, AM5 can be difficult once you account for the motherboard, DDR5 memory, storage, power supply, and case. A single 16GB memory stick might reduce the upfront cost, but it runs in single-channel mode and can noticeably hurt performance, especially in simulation-heavy games. Two matching sticks are preferable, even if you start with 2x8GB and upgrade later.
The used RTX 3080 sounds like better value than buying a new midrange card at the prices you mentioned, assuming you can verify its condition and have a power supply capable of handling it. If you decide to buy new instead, a card with 16GB of VRAM would likely be more appealing for 1440p and heavily modded games than an 8GB model.
That’s why I’m leaning toward the used 3080. It costs around €275 locally, while the comparable new options are more expensive, and I’d rather prioritize performance and VRAM.
I was considering AM5 because a newer X3D processor seems to cost about the same as the high-end AM4 options I can find. I also can’t locate the older AM4 gaming chip at a reasonable price, so the price difference may not be as large in my local market.