I originally planned to build a PC next year because I don't need one immediately, but rising DDR4 memory prices have me wondering whether I should buy sooner. My current plan is a Ryzen 5 5600 or Ryzen 7 5700X, an RTX 4060 with 8GB of VRAM, a B550 motherboard, and either 32GB of DDR4-3200 or, if necessary, 16GB. I'd mainly use the system for gaming at 1080p and simple video editing, with the possibility of moving to 1440p later. The performance would be sufficient, but RAM and SSD prices are pushing the build beyond my budget. Should I buy this system now, or wait about a year for a newer DDR5-based build with similar or better performance at roughly the same price? I'm unsure whether DDR5 prices will fall enough to become the new budget option, or whether component prices may rise further.
4 Answers
Don’t reduce the build to 16GB just to make the budget work. For gaming plus video editing, 32GB is a much more comfortable target. If you build now, compare the total cost of the RAM, SSD, motherboard, and processor rather than focusing only on the CPU. If you can wait, keep watching prices and buy when the whole platform fits your budget.
If you don’t actually need the computer yet, waiting is probably the safer choice. The older memory platform still performs well, but it has little upgrade path left, so I wouldn’t rush into it just because prices are temporarily making you nervous. There’s no guarantee that newer memory will become cheaper within exactly one year, though.
It’s worth checking current-generation processors and motherboards from both major manufacturers instead of limiting yourself to the older platform. Some newer combinations can offer better performance per dollar and a longer upgrade path, even if the memory kit costs more. Just compare complete system prices, since an inexpensive CPU can be offset by expensive RAM, storage, or a motherboard.
I’ll research those options, but the CPU isn’t the main problem for me. RAM and SSD prices are the parts making the build unaffordable, so I’m mainly deciding whether to buy DDR4 now or wait for DDR5 to become more affordable.
There’s no reliable rule that newer memory will fall to the old generation’s lowest prices within a year. Supply issues, demand, and manufacturer pricing can move in either direction, and storage prices can fluctuate too. If you need a PC soon, buying a sensible 32GB system now is reasonable; if it’s only a want, waiting avoids buying into a platform you already know is near the end of its upgrade life.
My concern is that prices might still be high next year, leaving me with either the same older build at a higher cost or a newer build that requires cutting performance to stay within budget.