I'm putting together a gaming PC with a budget of about €1,500. DDR5 prices make it difficult to fit 32GB of memory into the build, so I'm deciding between an AM4 system with 32GB of DDR4 and an AM5 system with a newer CPU but only 16GB of DDR5. I'm considering a graphics card such as an RX 9060 XT or RX 9070. Since gaming will be the main use, is it worth starting with 16GB to get AM5, or would the extra memory and lower platform cost make AM4 the better choice?
3 Answers
For a €1,500 gaming build, I’d generally choose AM5, but I wouldn’t deliberately settle for 16GB if it forces compromises elsewhere. 16GB still runs many games, but 32GB is becoming the more comfortable standard, especially with background apps and newer titles. Consider a cheaper AM5 CPU or motherboard and add a second matching memory kit later if necessary.
If you can’t fit 32GB of DDR5 without weakening the graphics card, CPU, or power supply, AM4 with 32GB DDR4 is still perfectly viable for gaming and can offer excellent value. However, AM4 is effectively a dead-end platform, while AM5 should support more future processor upgrades. Compare complete builds rather than focusing only on DDR4 versus DDR5—the GPU will usually have the biggest effect on gaming performance.
AM5 gives you a much better upgrade path, so it’s the more future-friendly platform. You could start with a reasonably priced Ryzen processor and 16GB of DDR5, then add memory later when prices or your budget allow. A high-end chip like a 7800X3D may not be the best use of the budget if it means sacrificing RAM or graphics-card performance.
Since gaming is my main use, do you think 16GB will actually be enough for now, or should I prioritize getting 32GB immediately?