I'm considering building a PC for around $500 in a country where parts tend to be pricier than in the US. Do you think an AM4 build would last me 3 to 5 years?
5 Answers
Building a gaming rig for 500 bucks is tough, but I managed to do it with an AM4. If you're focused on getting the best value right now, AM4 is fine, but you may need to explore the second-hand market or AliExpress. Share more details about what you want the PC to do, and we can help refine your choices!
I've been using an AM4 setup with a Ryzen 5 2600 for about five years now, and I expect it to last another five. AMD just released a new CPU for AM4, and while AM5 is nice, it's pretty pricey. An upgrade to something like the R7 5700 would keep it running well for gaming.
In my experience, AM4 can easily last another 5 years if you're sensible about upgrades. I just upgraded to a 5700X3D. If you're looking to play demanding titles in the future, that may change things, but for now, it’s a solid choice!
AM4 is decent if you're not upgrading much and sticking to 1080p gaming. It's served me well, but keep in mind the GPU will be your main limiting factor as time goes on. 1080p is fine for many casual games, but it's best to avoid big monitors for now.
I've run older CPUs fine on a 1440p ultrawide, but it really depends on the GPU you choose.
I'm considering an upgrade to 1440p too; I want to balance performance and quality, any tips?
If you don't already have AM4 gear, I suggest looking into AM5 instead. While an AM4 rig can last 3-5 years, investing in AM5 may offer you longevity—potentially lasting 10-15 years—with more upgrade options down the line.
I built one recently for $500 with Ryzen 3600 and a GTX 1070, and it works great for casual use!