I'm considering building a new PC to play games and run some local AI models, but I'm facing a tough situation because of the current RAM price crisis. I have a couple of questions I'd love your input on: First, which GPU offers a good balance between quality and price? I'm open to buying second-hand options. Second, is it still reasonable to use DDR4 RAM in 2026? Any insight would be greatly appreciated!
5 Answers
If your current setup works, there's no rush to upgrade! Just wait for prices to stabilize before making big decisions.
DDR4 is definitely still a viable option! It won’t suddenly become obsolete, especially for gaming and everyday use. You might find that it actually suits your needs quite well.
What budget are you working with for a GPU? That'll help narrow down the best options for you.
For your GPU, check the used market for deals. An RTX 3060 12GB is a great choice for gaming and running AI models, plus the extra VRAM will help. If you can find a good deal on a 3070 or even a 3080, go for it, but keep in mind their VRAM limitations. As for DDR4, it’s fine for now; the difference isn’t massive compared to performance gains from a good GPU. Focus on getting 32GB of RAM, especially for AI. Overall, a balanced DDR4 build with a solid NVIDIA GPU should serve you well into 2026.
It really depends on the kind of games you're looking to play and at what resolution! For DDR4, just know that it could limit your future upgrades as newer CPUs will likely require DDR5. I have a decent setup with a Ryzen 5900X and DDR4, but if I wanted to upgrade my CPU, I'd have to change the RAM and motherboard too. It still runs great for now! If your budget allows, consider going for the latest tech to future-proof your build.
Related Questions
Lenovo Thinkpad Stuck In Update Loop Install FilterDriverU2_Reload