I have never owned a proper gaming PC and currently use Boot Camp on a 2020 MacBook Pro. I mostly play single-player RPGs, including older games such as Mass Effect, Divinity: Original Sin, The Witcher, and Dragon Age, along with newer or upcoming titles like Baldur's Gate 3, The Witcher 4, Gothic Remake, Cyberpunk 2077, and Divinity. I also play CPU-heavy games such as RimWorld, although I assume a Ryzen 7 5700X, 5800X, or 5800X3D would handle that well.
My preliminary budget is around £1,300–£1,700. Initially, I would be happy with stable 60 FPS at 1080p using high settings, with the possibility of moving to 1440p later.
For a completely new build, should I choose the newer AM5 platform or save money with AM4? If two builds offered roughly similar gaming performance, how much more expensive would the AM5 version typically be? AM4 seems capable enough today, but I am worried that buying into an older platform could limit future upgrades, while expensive DDR5 memory might make AM5 difficult to fit into the budget.
5 Answers
For a brand-new build, I would generally choose AM5 rather than spending £1,000 or more on a platform that has already reached the end of its upgrade path. AM4 processors such as the 5700X3D are still very capable, but newer AM5 chips like the 7500F, 7600X3D, or 7500X3D can offer similar or better gaming performance while leaving you room to upgrade the CPU later. The exact choice depends heavily on local prices, but 32GB of RAM is preferable if the budget allows.
You could technically start with 16GB of DDR5 and add another module later, but 32GB is the safer choice for modern games and multitasking. Sixteen gigabytes still works in many titles, yet some newer games can show worse frame-time consistency or occasional stutter. I would prioritize a sensible CPU, 32GB of memory, and the strongest GPU that fits the budget rather than buying premium storage or an oversized motherboard.
Do not assume that an AM4 build will become unusable soon. A 5700X3D paired with a strong GPU can still deliver excellent results, including 1440p gaming, and it may be the better choice if DDR5 and AM5 boards are heavily inflated in your area. However, for a fresh purchase with no existing DDR4 parts, AM5 is the more sensible long-term platform when the price difference is manageable.
The biggest AM5 premium usually comes from the motherboard and DDR5 memory rather than the processor itself. If you can find an inexpensive B650 or similar board and reasonably priced DDR5-6000, AM5 can fit within this budget. A Ryzen 5 7600 or a suitable X3D model paired with a strong graphics card should be more than enough for 1080p and a good starting point for 1440p.
A balanced AM5 build is realistic around £1,600–£1,700. For example, a Ryzen 7 7800X3D or a less expensive Ryzen 5 X3D chip, 32GB of DDR5, a decent B-series motherboard, a quality air cooler, and a Radeon RX 9070-class graphics card would provide plenty of performance for high-refresh 1440p gaming. Avoid overspending on features you do not need, such as an expensive PCIe 5.0 SSD; a good PCIe 4.0 drive is usually enough for games.
If DDR5 prices are unusually high where you live, AM4 can still be a sensible value choice, especially if the savings let you move up to a better GPU. Just remember that future CPU upgrades will be much more limited.