I'm looking to build a completely new PC with a budget of roughly €1,500, preferably staying under that amount, and I'll be buying the parts in Hungary. My current computer is very old, and its motherboard only supports CPUs up to the 9th generation, so I don't think reusing the platform makes sense.
The main goal is to play newer RPGs at 1440p with good graphics settings. I already own a monitor, and I don't need an esports-focused system with extremely low latency or very high frame rates—consistent, enjoyable performance is more important. I also want to dual-boot Linux and Windows, since a few games are difficult or impossible to run properly on Linux.
I'd like to include 32GB of memory and a 1TB SSD. DDR4 initially seemed appealing because of the price, and I might eventually want to move to 64GB or DDR5, but I understand that DDR4 and DDR5 require different motherboards. I'm open to a DDR5 build if one fits the budget reasonably well. The case can be plain and practical; I don't care about RGB or tempered glass.
1 Answer
DDR4 and DDR5 use different physical slots, so moving from DDR4 to DDR5 later would require replacing the motherboard as well as the memory. Because of that, it may be worth starting with DDR5 if the prices are workable. DDR4 platforms are also older now, and newer parts or compatible motherboards can be harder to find or oddly expensive. If you do stay with DDR4, looking at a reasonably priced used 13th- or 14th-generation Intel platform could make more sense than buying an aging setup at a premium.
Do you think a DDR5 system can realistically fit within this budget? I started comparing memory prices and immediately reconsidered the idea, which is why DDR4 initially seemed safer.