I was recently gifted an RTX 4060, which got me interested in building my first PC. I've researched two possible builds, but I'm unsure which offers the best value and upgrade path. I was also given a Gigabyte C301 V2 case, so that part is already covered.
The AM5 build includes a Ryzen 5 9600X, Gigabyte B650 AORUS ELITE AX V2 motherboard, Cooler Master Elite Gold 850W PSU, Gamdias CHIONE P3-240U AIO cooler, 500GB WD Blue SN5100 NVMe SSD, and 32GB of TeamGroup T-Force Vulcan DDR5-6000 memory.
The cheaper AM4 bundle includes a Ryzen 7 5800X3D, ASUS ROG STRIX B550-F motherboard, DeepCool LQ360 liquid cooler, and 32GB of KLEVV BOLT DDR4-3600 memory. The same 850W power supply and 500GB SSD would be used in either build, and both systems would use the RTX 4060.
My current monitor is a 1080p IPS display with a 75Hz refresh rate. I already have a keyboard and mouse, and the PC will mainly be used for online schooling and gaming. My budget is around R21,000–R22,000, or approximately $1,300, and I'm based in South Africa, where some parts may be harder to find. Would either of these builds be a good choice, or is there a better configuration that would give me more value? I'm willing to wait and spend more if the AM5 platform is worthwhile long term.
3 Answers
Since the RTX 4060 is mainly a 1080p card and your monitor is only 75Hz, the less expensive AM4 option should already be more than fast enough for gaming and schoolwork. You could use the savings on a larger SSD or a better monitor, since 500GB can fill up quickly once you install Windows, games, and applications.
The 5800X3D is still a strong gaming processor, but AM4 is a finished platform. The AM5 build is the better long-term foundation, while the AM4 bundle is the better value only if it is substantially cheaper. Whichever route you choose, I’d prioritize a 1TB NVMe drive if possible and avoid spending extra on a high-end cooler when that money could improve storage or the display. The 850W PSU is more than the RTX 4060 needs, but it gives you room for a future graphics-card upgrade.
The liquid cooler comes with the AM4 bundle, so I wouldn’t be buying it separately. I prefer an AIO for the look and noise levels, even if an air cooler would probably be better value.
I’d lean toward AM5 if the price difference is manageable. It gives you a newer platform with a much better future upgrade path, so you could replace the CPU later without changing the motherboard and memory. For a new build, that longevity is a strong advantage, especially if you plan to keep the system for several years.
The monitor is 1080p IPS at 75Hz, and I’m considering upgrading it later. The AIO is included with the AM4 bundle, and I also like the quieter operation and appearance of liquid cooling.