I'm planning an AM5 gaming system that I can upgrade to a future Zen 6 processor in a few years. My current PC has an Intel i5-10400, GTX 1660 Super, and 32GB of RAM. Increasing the memory from 16GB to 32GB recently made a noticeable difference in Tarkov, which is the main game that got me interested in upgrading again.
A Micro Center bundle with a 7500X3D would cost about $800 for the core system, leaving room for a graphics card upgrade later—possibly to a future 6000-series card and a higher-end Zen 6 CPU. I currently play at 1080p, but I'd like the option to move to 1440p or even 4K when practical. I'm considering an RTX 5050 because I found one sealed for around $230, though a used RTX 2070 Super is available for about $160. Is this a sensible starting point, or should I choose different parts and prioritize a stronger GPU now?
3 Answers
The RTX 5050 would be faster than your GTX 1660 Super, but it’s still a weak choice for a new build, especially if you want to move beyond 1080p. It may be acceptable at $230 if the budget is firm, but don’t expect a great 1440p experience.
I wouldn’t recommend buying a 5050 unless the price is unusually good and you only need a temporary card. Since the AM5 platform gives you a future CPU upgrade path, it makes sense to keep the platform and replace the graphics card later, but a stronger used GPU could provide better gaming performance immediately.
If you can stretch the budget, a 16GB midrange card such as a 9060 XT would be a much better long-term choice for 1440p. However, recommending a $500 graphics card doesn’t really fit an $800 complete-build budget, so the used 2070 Super may be the more realistic option if you need to stay near your limit.
Exactly—I understand that spending more buys better parts, but I’m trying to keep the entire system near $800 rather than add several hundred dollars to the GPU.
That’s why I’m comparing it with a used RTX 2070 Super for about $160. The 5050 benchmarks better, but I’m not trying to spend much more than the roughly $800 total budget.