I have not upgraded my PC since 2018. It currently has an Intel i5-7600K, a GTX 1070 Ti, and 16GB of DDR4 memory. I mainly use it for gaming and email, with games like Counter-Strike 2, The Division 2, Rainbow Six Siege, and Teamfight Tactics. My CPU regularly reaches 100% usage, especially when I have game guides open or Spotify running.
I found two CPU and motherboard bundles that include an AIO cooler: a Ryzen 7 5800X3D with an ASUS motherboard for $419, and a Ryzen 7 7700X3D with an ASUS motherboard for $354. I am focusing on the CPU and platform for now and will deal with the GPU separately. With DDR5 prices still high, would it make more sense to choose the AM4 bundle, or should I move to AM5 for better upgrade options?
2 Answers
I would lean toward the AM5 bundle. You could start with an inexpensive 2x8GB DDR5 kit, since those games should be fine with 16GB, and replace it with 2x16GB later when memory prices hopefully improve. A 6000 MT/s kit with reasonable timings from a reputable brand should work well. Also, double-check the exact CPU model in the listing, since the platform and upgrade path matter here.
The newer AM5 option is the one I would choose. It should handle your current games easily and gives you a better upgrade path later. If you want extremely high frame rates for competitive gaming, the extra CPU performance and future platform support are useful. If you are satisfied with more ordinary frame rates, the older AM4 bundle would still be adequate, but it is a dead-end platform.
I have noticed that memory brand in several recent deals but had not used it before, so I was unsure whether it was reliable.