I've been into PC building and gaming for a while, but these days I only play a bit now and then, mostly games like Factorio and Civilization. However, I want to keep my options open for when I feel like diving back into gaming. My current PC is getting a bit outdated, and since my CPU is nearing its 12th birthday, I think it's time for an upgrade. I'm planning to replace the CPU, motherboard, and RAM all at once. In the future, I might consider upgrading my GPU and possibly the PSU, but for now, I'm focusing on the core components. My build currently includes an MSI Z97 Gaming 5 motherboard, Intel i7 4790k CPU, 16GB DDR3 RAM, Nvidia GTX1070, and a Cooler Master 650W PSU.
Since I work as a low-level embedded system/firmware engineer, performance in single-core simulations is essential for me. I'm leaning towards AMD this time, and the Ryzen 5 9700x seems to be a good choice, along with a budget-friendly MSI B650 motherboard and 32GB of RAM. However, I've seen some concerning reviews about the Zen5 processor and would love to hear other suggestions.
4 Answers
The Ryzen 9700x is definitely a solid option with 8 fast cores and hyper-threading. If you go with that, I'd recommend getting 2x16GB DDR5-6000 RAM. Just be aware that you'll need a new CPU cooler for AM5 unless the one you're using has an AM5 kit available. Oh, and it might be worth replacing your old PSU since your current one is quite dated.
Honestly, even upgrading to a Ryzen 5 7600 would give you a massive boost in performance compared to your current setup. Just a thought!
I've come across a few reviews on popular YouTube channels saying that the Zen5 doesn't significantly improve on Zen4. But I'm not updated if there were any changes afterwards. I think Windows had some patches to improve the performance, but that's not an issue for me since I primarily use Linux.
If you’re looking for recommendations, I'd suggest considering a higher-end option like the 9900x. The performance difference is noticeable, but I get that it might stretch your budget a bit.
Unfortunately that option alone is over 700€ in my area, so I’m trying to stick to my budget.
Your budget is really tight, which complicates things. Ideally, a build with something like the 9800X3D would be best for the gaming titles you mentioned, but that's probably out of your price range. If you can handle an AM5 build for future upgrades, go for it. Otherwise, a low-cost Intel 12th gen setup could work, like the 12700K with DDR4. I've had solid performance with mine after disabling the E-cores.
I should mention that right now, gaming isn't my main concern since I'm still stuck with my GTX 1070 and a 1080p 60Hz screen, so investing heavily in high-end chips with extra cache may not be wise.
For sure, if gaming isn't your focus right now, going with DDR4 could help you save some cash!
What kind of bad reviews have you seen for the Zen5? I'd love to know more details.