I'm a student with a super tight budget, and even the Ryzen 5 8500G is a stretch for me. I plan to use Linux instead of Windows for my first PC build, mainly for coding and some gaming. I understand the limitations of this APU when it comes to GPUs, and I'm not planning on getting one for at least the next 4-5 years. Also, I'm pairing it with a Gigabyte B650M H AM5 Micro ATX motherboard that was the cheapest I could find. Is this motherboard decent, or should I consider a different one?
1 Answer
Considering you're not planning to get a GPU for several years, the long-term upgrade potential of the AM5 platform might not be very useful for you. Given your tight budget, it might be more cost-effective to look at older platforms like LGA 1700 or AM4 instead. You could potentially find a good used GPU, like a GTX 1060 or 1070, which would enhance your build for gaming. Keep an eye out for CPU and motherboard bundles too; it could save you some money and give you better performance overall.
That makes sense! I'd love to have better performance, but I'm also looking for newer gen tech, like DDR5. Plus, since this PC is mainly for studying, I don't want gaming to become a distraction. I'm really just interested in some light gaming and emulation for Switch and PS2.