I'm replacing an i7-7700 and GTX 1070 and looking at a Ryzen 7 7800X3D, RTX 5070 12GB, B850 motherboard, 32GB of DDR5-6000 CL30, a 2TB NVMe SSD, an 850W power supply and a 360mm liquid cooler. The monitor I'm considering is 4K at 160Hz, with a 1080p mode at 320Hz.
The total is around €2,500, so I'm wondering if I've overspent in the wrong places. Can this handle games at high settings for a while, and would it be better to stick with AM5 or spend much less on AM4 and upgrade later?
For gaming at 4K, I'd put more of the budget toward the graphics card. The 7800X3D is a strong gaming CPU, but a cheaper CPU could free up money for an RX 9070 XT or RTX 5070 Ti. You could also save on the cooler and motherboard without automatically giving up the features you need.
There's nothing wrong with the 7800X3D itself. This is just about where the money is likely to make the biggest difference at your chosen resolution. Compare local prices and game benchmarks before deciding which GPU is worth the extra.
I'd think carefully about the monitor first. An RTX 5070 can run games at 4K, but don't count on max settings and a steady 60 fps in every demanding game. Upscaling with DLSS or lowering settings may be necessary, and results will vary by game.
A 1440p monitor is another option if you want a better shot at high settings and frame rates without spending as much on the GPU. The 4K screen's lower-resolution, higher-refresh mode could still be useful if that flexibility matters to you.
n780!bracket_6:
I don't mind using DLSS. The option to switch to a lower resolution and higher refresh rate is a big part of why I picked that monitor.
AM5 is the more straightforward choice if you want to keep the motherboard and memory for a later CPU upgrade. Check the board's CPU support and BIOS requirements when that time comes. Future compatibility isn't a guarantee for every processor.
AM4 can still make sense if the lower cost is the priority, especially if you're comfortable replacing more parts when you next upgrade. Compare the full system prices rather than just the CPUs.
The 360mm liquid cooler is a place to look for savings. A capable tower air cooler such as a Peerless Assassin 120 SE is worth considering for the 7800X3D. Check case clearance either way.
For the RAM, DDR5-6000 CL30 is a reasonable starting point. Store-brand memory isn't automatically unreliable, but check the warranty and whether the kit is on the motherboard's compatibility list. Also compare the B850 board's ports and expansion slots with the more expensive X870 option before paying extra.
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n780!bracket_6:
That makes sense. I was wondering whether the cheaper CPU suggestion meant there was a problem with the 7800X3D.