I'm looking to upgrade my rig with the current state of prices and availability in mind, but I'm having a tough time deciding. Right now, I have an AMD FX 8370, 16 GB of DDR3 RAM running at 1600 MHz, and a GTX 1060 with 3GB of memory. I primarily use my computer for gaming and heavy CAD work, and occasionally for video rendering and media conversion. My initial thought was to go for AM5 with a Ryzen 7 8700G and rely on the APU until I can afford a new GPU. However, the costs are quite high, and I know that upgrading to either AM4 or even an Intel setup with DDR4 could still offer a significant performance boost. What do you all think? Is it worth it to wait for AM5, or should I settle for AM4 or Intel right now?
2 Answers
Any modern CPU will be a huge upgrade for you! If it were me, I'd recommend going with an AM4 setup and maybe the Ryzen 5 5600X—it's a fantastic option that doesn't get as much love as it deserves. You'll notice a big difference in performance for your gaming and CAD tasks without breaking the bank.
Honestly, now might not be the best time to buy. Prices are pretty crazy right now. If you can wait, I'd suggest holding off for about 6 to 12 months. This way, you might catch some price drops and get a better deal on new components when they come out.

I totally agree! Waiting might save you some cash, especially with the upcoming hardware releases and market fluctuations. It sounds like you're okay living without an upgrade for a bit.