I'm planning to build two gaming PCs for my sons as Christmas gifts. They're moving toward a shared dual-desk setup and are ready to replace their old toys with computers, monitors, and the other basics, so both systems would be starting from scratch. I built my last PC more than 10 years ago, and the current parts market feels very different, especially with memory and component prices being affected by demand for AI hardware.
I've put together two fairly budget-oriented options: AM4 comes to about $1,080 per system, while AM5 is roughly $1,320. The difference is only around $250 per PC, but that becomes about $500 for both builds. Those totals also include monitors and Windows licenses.
My instinct is to choose AM5 because it should have a longer upgrade path and may still be useful for college in about five years with only a few upgrades. On the other hand, I need to justify the extra cost to my wife, and relatives may want to contribute gift cards toward parts. The kids are 13 and 10; the younger one is already interested in newer, more demanding games, while the older one is just getting into PC gaming. I'd like both computers to be capable enough to avoid sibling arguments. Would AM5 be worth the additional cost, and are there any ways to reduce the price without sacrificing too much longevity?
5 Answers
For a build you hope will last several years, AM5 is the easier choice to justify. AM4 can still provide good gaming performance today, but AM5 gives you a newer platform and more room to upgrade the CPU later without replacing the motherboard and memory. Since you’re buying two systems and the difference is around $500 total, look for legitimate bundle discounts from major retailers or computer stores to soften the increase.
You don’t necessarily need to buy the most expensive version of every part. Put the budget toward the graphics card, a reliable power supply, an SSD, and enough memory, then choose a sensible AM5 processor and motherboard. Windows can sometimes be installed without activating immediately, which may reduce the initial cost if you’re comfortable handling activation later and staying within the software license terms. I’d avoid questionable gray-market keys and focus on parts with solid warranties.
I’d strongly lean toward AM5 for both machines, especially since the kids are young enough that you can upgrade them gradually together over the years. A lower-cost starting system can receive a better graphics card or processor later instead of needing a complete rebuild. Keeping both PCs on the same platform also makes maintenance and future upgrades simpler, and it avoids one child feeling like they got the clearly weaker computer. Since one of them is already interested in newer games, prioritize the graphics card and make sure the power supply and case can support future upgrades.
For the AM5 option, check whether a Ryzen 5 7500F or another value-focused six-core chip is available at a good price. It can offer a lot of gaming performance without spending as much as higher-end processors. Also, be careful with memory deals: a 32GB kit should normally stay together in one computer rather than splitting the individual sticks between two systems. Each PC should ideally have a matched kit, such as 2x16GB, so it can run in dual-channel mode.
You could also make the builds part of the gift by having the kids help assemble them. It turns the extra money into more than just hardware—it becomes a project where they learn how the parts work, how to troubleshoot, and how to upgrade their computers later. That makes either budget easier to defend, especially if they’ll be maintaining the systems themselves.
That’s a good idea. I think presenting the builds as a learning experience would make the purchase feel more worthwhile, and they could help with assembly under supervision.
I had been looking at the Ryzen 5 7600X. I was used to installing memory in matched pairs, so I wanted to confirm whether using a single stick is still a reasonable option.