Hey everyone! My PC, which my brother built for me in 2020, is really lagging now. I can't even play games while having Chrome open in the background, and I keep getting crashes since I started gaming again about two months ago. Right now, I need to upgrade my CPU, GPU, and RAM. I'm wondering whether I should go for AM5 or if sticking with AM4 is a better choice. Here's what I was thinking for the new build: a 5700X3D (got a decent deal for 500 CAD from a reputable vendor), an RX 9060 XT 16GB (purchased for 600 CAD from Facebook Marketplace), and 32GB of DDR4 RAM (2x16GB) for about 340 CAD. The total comes to around 1500 CAD. Is it worth it to switch to AM5, or am I better off with AM4? I don't want to spend a ton of money on a gaming rig just to play a couple of games. I mainly play Rainbow Six Siege and Destiny 2, and I'd love to run these games smoothly with at least 100 FPS at 1080p. Any suggestions or advice are welcome! P.S. CAD refers to Canadian dollars.
3 Answers
AM5 is the way to go if you're planning to keep your system for a long time, but if you're mainly after stable gameplay and don’t need top-tier settings, then AM4 is more than sufficient. Your main game targets like Rainbow Six and Destiny will run smoothly with the setup you mentioned as long as you keep that RTX 9060. And yeah, don’t forget to grab an SSD for faster load times!
Honestly, before you jump on that 5700X3D for 500 CAD, you might want to check out other options. A 12600K is going for around 240 CAD and would likely give you better performance for your money. Also, the RX 9060 XT seems a bit pricey; I've seen places offering it for closer to 540 CAD. Don’t forget to check your local used market—sometimes you can snag a better deal.
Thanks for the tip! I’ll keep an eye on the used market.
If you’re looking for a solid upgrade without breaking the bank, sticking with AM4 is a good option. The 5600X or even the XT could be a massive improvement from your 2600. For your GPU, a 4060 or 5060 would pair well too. Just make sure you’ve got enough RAM—16GB is decent for now, but you might want to consider increasing that later. Also, check your PSU to support your upgrades!
Totally agree, having an SSD makes a big difference!