I'm putting together a PC for my brother with a budget of around €2,000, mainly for gaming but also for AutoCAD and similar work software. The current parts list uses an Intel Core i5-14600K, Thermalright Phantom Spirit cooler, MSI Z790 motherboard, 32GB DDR5-6000 CL30 memory, a 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD, an RTX 5070 12GB, a Montech King 95 Pro case, and an 850W Gold-rated power supply. The total comes to roughly €2,014, although local Croatian prices can differ significantly from the listed estimates. I'll also reuse hard drives and an SSD from the old PC. Would it make sense to move to a newer socket or AMD's AM5 platform for better upgrade options, and are there any parts you would change?
3 Answers
For a build intended to last, I’d seriously consider AMD’s AM5 platform instead of buying into an older Intel socket. A Ryzen 7 7800X3D paired with a suitable B650 motherboard would be excellent for gaming and still capable for AutoCAD. It also leaves you with a better CPU upgrade path later.
For gaming, an RX 9070 XT is another strong option. It offers performance in the same general range as the RTX 5070 while providing 16GB of VRAM, which may age better for high-resolution textures and future games. A Ryzen 7 7800X3D or another current AM5 gaming CPU would make a particularly strong combination with it.
The CPU and GPU choices are reasonable, but compare prices from Croatian and nearby European retailers rather than relying on generic regional estimates. The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus may be worth checking if it costs about the same as the 14600K. Also make sure the motherboard BIOS supports the processor you choose.
Thanks, I’ll update the prices using local listings. The 14600K is available for around €290 here, so I’ll compare it directly with the newer options.