I'm currently using a GTX 1080 with an i7-8700K, 16 GB of RAM, and a mix of HDDs plus a 1 TB SSD. The system still handles older games well, but newer titles such as Monster Hunter Wilds and Marvel Rivals are becoming difficult to run smoothly. I'm looking to build or buy a replacement PC in Spain for roughly €1,000–€1,500, ideally one that can handle modern games with minimal compromises for at least five years. I can reuse my existing 1 TB SSD, and I may sell the old PC or parts for around €300–€400. I've seen systems with an RTX 5070 in this price range, but some use DDR4, so I'm wondering whether it would be better to choose a newer DDR5 platform instead. I'm also concerned about moving beyond 8 GB of VRAM and would like advice on the best balance of GPU, CPU, memory, storage, and upgradeability.
3 Answers
The exact country and current parts matter when comparing prices, since availability and prebuilt deals vary a lot. In Spain, compare the total cost of a DDR5 AM5 build against an RTX 5070 system rather than focusing on one component. A faster GPU is valuable, but avoid sacrificing the power supply, cooling, or having only 16 GB of RAM just to fit a higher-tier graphics card. Reusing the 1 TB SSD is reasonable as long as it is healthy and has enough free space.
A sensible starting point would be a Ryzen 5 7500F, a Radeon RX 9060 XT, 32 GB of DDR5-6000 memory with reasonably tight timings, a B850M motherboard, a Kingston NV3 SSD, a Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 cooler, and a good 650 W Corsair power supply. Add a case that fits your preferences and local pricing. This should fit the budget in Spain, although it’s worth comparing complete systems with individual-part prices before buying.
For a five-year build, DDR5 is the better direction. DDR4 and DDR5 are physically and electrically different, so your existing DDR4 sticks cannot be installed alongside DDR5 or reused on a DDR5 motherboard. You would need a new memory kit, and 32 GB is a good baseline for current gaming. A modern AM5 system also gives you a more useful CPU-upgrade path than buying into an older DDR4 platform.
Wouldn’t it make more sense to prioritize a graphics card with more VRAM? I already have 8 GB, and some newer games are starting to exceed that. Also, can my current DDR4 memory be used alongside DDR5?