Hey everyone! I'm planning to upgrade my gaming rig from an old i5-4670k and GTX 1080. I've got a RX6900XT that I'm eager to put to use. I'll be replacing my power supply to support the RX6900XT and I'm also looking for a CPU upgrade to outdo my 13-year-old setup. I want to keep my budget around €250 for the motherboard, CPU, and RAM together.
I'm eyeing used RAM options— I've found 32GB DDR4 at 3200MHz or 3600MHz for about €100, and there are new CPU and motherboard combos like the ASRock board with a Ryzen 5 5500 for around €130. But if I go AM5, the costs shoot up to about €500 just for the RAM.
I'm looking to play demanding titles like Horizon: Forbidden West, Jedi: Survivor, and AC Shadows. I'd be happy with 65-70fps, and I don't mind upgrading my whole system again in a few years.
What do you all think? Is this upgrade sensible? And what should I check for when buying secondhand AM4 motherboards to ensure they're compatible with Ryzen 5000 and especially the 5800X3D?
4 Answers
Going for a used AM4 setup is definitely the way to go. You’ll get a much newer system than your current one without breaking the bank.
If you can delay your purchase, keep an eye on the rumors about the 5800X3D Anniversary edition. For now, you could still pair that RX6900XT with your i5-4670K while looking for a deal. Using it will be better than leaving it idle!
If sticking with DDR4, consider the i5-14600k. It performs better than anything on AM4, and it’s competitive with the 5800X3D in many games while also excelling at tasks like video editing.
I'm not looking to invest in a 5800X3D right now; I just wanted to know what motherboards support that chip for potential future upgrades. For now, I’m seeking the best budget option.
Your upgrade plan with used DDR4 is solid! I suggest trying to grab an entire set, like a used CPU/Motherboard/RAM combo. Aim for something like the Ryzen 5600 or 5600X, since they offer more performance than the 5500.
Thanks for the tip! I found a combo with an ITX board, Ryzen 3 3100, and 16GB RAM for €120. It might do the trick for now, although I’d prefer 32GB if I can swing it.
You're right! This discussion made me realize that the gains in single-core performance aren’t substantial. Plus, since I'm using Linux, there’s even less need for extra cores. I just ordered a new PSU so I can try some overclocking on my chip—it looks promising!