I'm currently using an AMD Ryzen 7 3700X processor on a B450 Tomahawk Max motherboard, along with 16GB of DDR4 3200 RAM and a 2070 Super graphics card. I have been considering upgrading to a 9800X3D build, but with the high prices of DDR5, it's not feasible right now. I also have a RAM kit I bought earlier that didn't work well initially; I managed to get it running after a BIOS update, but then I faced other issues that made me revert to my old RAM. My setup is mostly for gaming and some casual office tasks, and I play on two 144Hz 1080p monitors with no immediate plans to upgrade those. I haven't kept up with current hardware prices and options, so I'm looking for some advice on whether I should upgrade my current setup or go for a new build with DDR4.
4 Answers
Sometimes good DDR4 can actually perform better than bad DDR5, especially in certain tasks. It all boils down to your budget, which really sets the stage for what you should do next.
Given the crazy prices for DDR5, it might be smarter to consider a prebuilt setup. You could look for a rig with 4 sticks of RAM and then sell 2 sticks to make it easier on your wallet. Or maybe just focus on upgrading your GPU instead!
True, but 4 sticks are tricky with DDR5—many systems, especially the older Ryzen ones, won’t handle that well unless they're refreshed. A prebuilt rig with 2 sticks does sound like a solid plan though!
Exactly, prebuilt offers are looking more attractive lately, especially if you want stability without the stress of building.
What’s the used market like for the 5700X3D around you? You might find a good deal there!
Used prices for that are around 450-500 USD here. The 5800X3D is even harder to find, so I’m not considering it.
First off, make sure your BIOS on the B450 Tomahawk Max is updated for the Ryzen 5000 series CPUs. Then consider swapping your old RAM with the G.Skill Trident Z Neo DDR4-3600; that's a solid choice. If you're gaming competitively, you might find the RX 9060 XT beneficial for hitting those 144Hz on your monitors!
That sounds like a solid plan! Just fingers crossed that the new BIOS will be stable. As for the 5800X, it’s only about $20 more than the 5600—definitely worth considering.
I can stretch my budget a bit—looking at around 1100-1300 USD after converting from my local currency.