I have not upgraded my PC since 2018 and am still using an Intel i5-7600K, a GTX 1070 Ti, and 16GB of DDR4 memory. I mainly use the system for gaming, browsing, and email, with games such as CS2, The Division 2, Rainbow Six Siege, and TFT. My CPU frequently reaches 100% usage, even while looking at guides or running Spotify.
I found two CPU and motherboard bundles that include an AIO cooler: a Ryzen 7 5800X3D with an ASUS motherboard for $419, and a Ryzen 7 7700X3D with an ASUS motherboard for $354. I am planning to deal with the GPU separately and want to focus on the CPU and platform first.
With DDR5 prices currently high, would it make more sense to stay with AM4, or should I move to AM5 with a small DDR5 kit now and upgrade the memory later? I have $150 in store credit that needs to be used for this purchase, so I would appreciate advice based on these options.
3 Answers
I’d lean toward the AM5 bundle. You could start with an inexpensive 2x8GB DDR5-6000 kit, since those games should be playable with 16GB, and move to 2x16GB later when memory prices hopefully settle down. That also gives you a newer platform with better upgrade options.
The AM5 option is the better long-term choice if you care about high refresh rates or want room for future CPU upgrades. It should be especially appealing for competitive games where you want consistently high frame rates. The AM4 setup can still perform well, but it leaves you on an older platform with fewer upgrade options.
If there’s a Micro Center within a reasonable driving distance, check its in-store CPU, motherboard, and memory bundles before buying. Those deals can be much better than buying each part separately.
There is one within about four hours, but I have $150 in store credit tied to the other retailer, so I need to use that for this upgrade.
I’ve seen that RAM brand recommended a few times, but I’ve never used it before. Is it generally considered reliable?