I'm looking to build a new PC using a 5070 Ti graphics card. Given the high prices of RAM right now, I'm considering using my existing Corsair Vengeance 3000 MHz CL15 RAM and adding another 16GB pair instead of going for 32GB of DDR5. Does this make sense? If it does, what CPU would be best to pair with the 5070 Ti, and which motherboard should I choose? I primarily play graphically demanding games like The Witcher 3, Cyberpunk 2077, and Red Dead Redemption 2 on a 34-inch 3440x1440 monitor.
5 Answers
AM4 is still a solid choice! You can consider CPUs like the 5700X, 5700X3D, or the 5800X3D with a B550 motherboard. Just a heads-up, mixing RAM speeds can slow down your system as it will default to the speed of the slowest stick, so be cautious with that.
The best CPU for your setup would definitely be the 5800X3D. While you might experience some slight bottlenecking at 1440p, it should perform flawlessly at 4K. I also recommend looking into RAM with 3600 MHz speeds and lower timings for better performance.
Don’t forget, Intel options are also really competitive. A 12400, 12600K, or even a 12700K with DDR4 and a B760 motherboard can give you great performance, possibly even better than AM4 setups in some cases.
I've personally run a 3600X with two different 16GB RAM kits, and I didn't notice any performance hits. The increased memory capacity made a big difference for me. Yes, the performance may drop slightly compared to having same-speed sticks, but you likely won't notice it in gaming unless you're doing heavy benchmarks.
When you're looking at options, it's important to weigh the price difference against the performance you might lose. If you're considering used parts, it's a no-brainer since you can save significantly and still get decent performance. But it's worth noting that not many people go that route.

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