Upgrade CPU or save up and do the big three?

tristanb

tristanb

tristanb

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18 Dec 2025
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3
Location
England
For context, here are my specs:
  • Windows 11
  • AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
  • 32GB Dual channel DDR4 @ 1499MHz, CAS is 16 clocks
  • MSI B550-A PRO
  • GeForce RTX 4070 Super

I'm thinking of doing an upgrade, but with RAM prices the way they are, I'm essentially stuck between a rock and a hard place. My two options are:
  • Upgrade my AM4 CPU to a slightly better AM4 CPU which will be expensive for a minimal increase, and then wait out RAM prices for the bubble to burst
  • Upgrade my mobo, cpu and ram all at the same time from ddr4, am4 to ddr5, am5 and just accept that RAM will cost me triple what it would've last month

What do you generally think and what would you do in my position? The problem I have with upgrading to another am4 cpu is that It's going to be really expensive and I don't think the improvement will be massive in comparison to the value for money I'd get upgrading to an AM5 CPU but then the other option has the same problem with RAM that right now the prices are absurd.
For more context it's primarily for gaming. Any questions please ask
 
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Get either a 5700X3D or 5800X3D, and a new GPU, you have more than enough RAM :)

DDR5/AM5 is not worth it for a new build, and it's only going to get worse price wise - remember when everything was hiked up during COVID, and how it never went back down again? Expect that now, thanks to AI and greed.
Suppliers are cashing in on ripping people off with any excuse they can these days, and they've certainly jumped on this one. 300% inflation on RAM currently.
 
tristanb said:
Sorry, I've edited my post. 1080p but thinking of upgrading monitor later down the line to 4k. Geforce RTX 4070 super
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I wouldnt upgrade anything just yet except grab a new monitor if you have the money, a 27" 1440p oled rather than 4k which would be a good match for your 4070ti which is around 5070 in terms of performance.

You can do the CPU anytime.
 
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tristanb said:
Sorry, I've edited my post. 1080p but thinking of upgrading monitor later down the line to 4k. Geforce RTX 4070 super
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If you're playing at 1080p, then a 5700X3D may make a meaningful difference if you play the games that like the 3D cache.

4K would be harder to justify, but it depends. What are you hoping to achieve with the upgrade? Which games are you unhappy with the performance?
 
Your set up is still quite decent so if I was you I’d go for a nice 1440p OLED as the prices have come down and they offer really good value right now. Upgrading the resolution will also lessen the strain on the CPU.

Going all the way to 4k locks you into needing more expensive higher end GPUs every few years so that’s something to consider.
 
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Joxeon said:
Your set up is still quite decent so if I was you I’d go for a nice 1440p OLED as the prices have come down and they offer really good value right now. Upgrading the resolution will also lessen the strain on the CPU.

Going all the way to 4k locks you into needing more expensive higher end GPUs every few years so that’s something to consider.
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I think I'm gonna do that with possibly getting an X3D after upgrading my monitor if I notice any real issues
 
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