I'm putting together my first gaming PC in the United States. So far, I've spent about $920 on a Ryzen 7 9800X3D, an MSI MAG X870 TOMAHAWK motherboard bundle with a 240mm cooler, a case, and a 1TB SSD. My total budget is around $1,700, so I have roughly $780 left for RAM, a graphics card, and anything else I may still need.
I'd like to play at 1440p. I really like the appearance of the RTX 5070 Founders Edition, but prices seem to be $800 or more, and I'm unsure whether it offers good value at that price. I'm also trying to buy 32GB of RAM, though current prices seem surprisingly high—around $400–$500 for some kits. Used RAM from a local marketplace is an option, but I'm concerned about reliability and getting scammed.
Would an RX 9070 or RX 9070 XT be a better choice for gaming, or should I consider something less expensive to stay within budget?
4 Answers
The budget is going to be tight once RAM and a power supply are included. If you can find a reasonably priced 32GB kit, an RX 9060 XT 16GB plus a quality 750W–850W PSU may fit closer to the $1,700 target, though it won’t be as fast as a 9070-series card. A 9070 or 9070 XT would be the better long-term 1440p choice, but you may need to compromise on RAM pricing, shop for sales, or add more money.
For a gaming-focused build, I’d choose the RX 9070 or RX 9070 XT over an RTX 5070 at those prices. They generally offer better rasterized performance and more VRAM, making them stronger 1440p options. The RX 9070 is roughly 10–15% faster, while the 9070 XT can be around 20–25% faster, depending on the game. The main reason to choose the 5070 would be if you specifically need CUDA, Nvidia features, or particularly strong ray tracing and upscaling support.
Used RAM can be a reasonable way to save money because memory tends to have a relatively low failure rate. Look for a reputable local seller, verify the exact speed and timings, and test it before completing the purchase if possible. A 32GB DDR5-6000 CL30 kit would be a good target for this processor. New kits may cost around $400 in the current market, while a patient search could find a used kit closer to $250–$300.
If you’re near a major PC retailer, it may be worth comparing your current parts with a bundle that includes the CPU, motherboard, and 32GB of RAM. Returning the existing bundle could free up enough money for a better GPU and avoid paying inflated standalone RAM prices. Just compare the total after tax and make sure the replacement motherboard and cooler meet your needs.
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