I recently upgraded from my failed RTX 3060 to an RTX 5060 Ti, and now I'm considering replacing the rest of my system. The planned build uses a Ryzen 5 9600X, an MSI B850M WiFi motherboard, DDR5-6000 memory, and my existing Phantom Spirit cooler, 750W power supply, 1TB NVMe SSD, and graphics card. My current system is an i7-10700K with 16GB of DDR4-3000 memory in a 2×8GB configuration.
DDR5 prices are currently difficult to justify, so buying a 32GB 2×16GB kit isn't really possible right now. I'm deciding between buying 2×8GB for dual-channel operation or buying a single 16GB stick and adding a matching second stick in a year or two. Which option makes more sense, and are there any other concerns with this parts list? I'm shopping in Ireland and the prices are in euros.
2 Answers
Your existing i7-10700K is still reasonably capable for an RTX 5060 Ti, so I wouldn’t rush into replacing the whole platform unless you’re seeing CPU limitations or need features from AM5. The graphics card upgrade alone may be enough for now, and waiting could let DDR5 prices settle before committing to a new motherboard and memory.
The rest of the build looks broadly sensible, and a 750W RM750e is more than adequate for this graphics card. The main concern is paying an unusually high price for only 16GB of memory. If 2×16GB is completely out of reach, use 1×16GB as a stopgap, but make sure it’s DDR5-6000 CL30 and preferably the exact same model when you add the second stick. Also check that the board’s BIOS is current and consider replacing the NV3 later if you need sustained-drive performance; it’s fine for general use, but it isn’t a premium SSD.
Let’s assume I do need to replace the platform. In that case, the memory decision is the main thing I’m unsure about.