I'm new to building PCs after spending most of my life gaming on consoles, so I'd appreciate a second opinion on my planned upgrade. My current system is an STGAuburon with an i3-3770, an RTX 2060 Super, and 32 GB of DDR3 memory. It was a surprisingly capable $600 system, but I'm starting to run into performance limits.
The new PC would mainly be used for gaming, recording, and video editing. I'm not aiming for 4K at extremely high frame rates; 1080p at 60 FPS is fine, though I may eventually move to 1440p at up to 165 FPS. I initially put together a high-end DDR4 build because I wanted strong performance and some room for future upgrades, but I'm trying to spend efficiently rather than simply buying the most expensive parts. Are there any compatibility issues, unnecessary expenses, or better platform choices I should consider?
3 Answers
At this budget, it’s worth looking at an AM5 build instead of investing in a new AM4 system. You can often find 32 GB of DDR5 for less than the unusually expensive DDR4 kit in the proposed parts list, while also getting a newer socket with a much better future CPU upgrade path. You could also trim the case, cooler, and power supply costs while keeping the same graphics performance.
A lower-cost AM5 configuration would be the most balanced direction here. It gives you modern DDR5 memory and room to upgrade the processor later, unlike AM4, which is effectively at the end of its upgrade cycle. For your stated targets, prioritize a good-value CPU, 32 GB of DDR5, and the graphics card you want; there’s no need to overspend on premium supporting parts.
The proposed system is far more powerful than necessary for 1080p at 60 FPS, although it makes more sense if you’re targeting 1440p at high refresh rates. You can also save quite a bit on the CPU cooler and power supply without giving up meaningful performance. A Ryzen 7 5800X3D, a reasonably priced dual-tower air cooler, a B550 motherboard, 32 GB of DDR4, and the RX 9070 XT would be a strong combination, but the DDR4 platform isn’t especially attractive at this price point.
That’s helpful. I’m not trying to spend the entire budget just because I can—I’m mainly looking for the best performance per dollar and wasn’t confident enough with the part numbers to judge that myself.
The upgrade path is a good point. I’d rather save money now and have the option to improve the system later than pay extra for an older platform.