Does it make sense to build a AM4 socket PC in 2026?
Posted by Ok_Course1403@reddit | buildapc | View on Reddit | 67 comments
I'm building a new PC for my girlfriend, I have experience with the building itself, but I'm not that knowledgeable about parts. Her budget is low, so I was thinking of going for a relatively old, AM$ CPU, but I'm scared about the lack of upgradeability, does it make sense or am I worrying over nothing?
Difficult-Cup-4445@reddit
Go 1 notch down on the X3D's (which are unavailable and unaffordable anyway) to a 5800X and a regular 9070 instead of the 9070 XT, chuck 16gb of DDR4 RAM in there, you won't even notice the difference. Go second hand even, if you can. Spend a little extra on the case (it's what you'll look at every day) and the PSU (you want it to be reliable long term, it will survive multiple builds).
I think it's hard to beat that right now for availability and affordability without messing around with ali express for 7600s and eating the DDR5 premium. The new Intel CPUs are very good but again you're back at the DDR5 issue.
PNDMike@reddit
I'm still rocking an am4 build and I have no complaints. At this point probably going to skip am5 entirely and wait for am6
Sh4gZ@reddit
5800x3d and 4080. Fine for me.
IThatAsianGuyI@reddit
5700x3D x 5070ti.
Legitimately don't think I'll be considering any upgrades until towards the end of AM6.
ChemistryRegular9022@reddit
Basically same, 5800x3d and 7900xt My cpu just gets a lil warm sometimes but I can play any game I want max settings at 1440p
Protoclown98@reddit
Wish I got a x3d chip when they came out. I have an OG Ryzen board that is falling apart with a 5600xt in it. I might end up replacing the board for the peace of mind, but tbh for most games the 5600xt is pulling its weight just fine. Hope it will last until 2028.
Worldwidehandsoome@reddit
5800x3d and a 5090 here
Jeferson9@reddit
Ah yes because data centers will skip am6 entirely and all the parts will be affordable again /s
croud_control@reddit
It really depends on 3 things: the games she is interested to play, how spon do you plan to upgrade and what resolution she wants to play on.
A 5800 x3d and the 40 series of gpus is still a solid choice today for those that want to play at 1080p and 1440p, where you will start to see issues going into 4k on newer games.
Do you plan to upgrade soon? From what I've heard and looked online, a new series of graphics cards are not coming out this year and possibly next year. Same for the AMD CPUs. If you want to hold off for a couple of years and stash away money for its release, you could stick with this gen at the moment and make the upgrade less painful for your bank account later.
RAM prices are going down, but they are still awful. DDR5 is still insanely too much for budget PCs.
If you can answer those three questions, then it should help you out more. My gaming PC is still on the AM4 platform with a 4070 ti super and a 5000X3D and it is still going strong today, though I have to start turning down the graphics some for 4k gaming.
Internal-Conflict240@reddit
If you are in a budget, sure. Ddr4 ram can be found for cheaper. 5800x3d is still very capable and can be paired decently with even a 9070xt around.
DeadlyAquarium@reddit
good luck getting any 5800x3d or 5700x3d for "cheap"
Miserable_Bobcat_594@reddit
good luck getting any 5800x3d or 5700x3d ~~for "cheap"~~
ShineHunter13@reddit
Nah, currently AM4 is only good for low tier PC. Good CPUs are too expensive since those aren’t produced anymore
No-Dimension1159@reddit
depends on what you need... a 5700x is still pretty decent to be honest. shouldn't be a big issue to pair something like a 5070 or 5070ti with it
Rusko_2@reddit
Bro i changed to 9800x3d from oldy 5700x... In cpu bound games like CS2 or so... You cant compare them, especially on 280hz + monitors...
No-Dimension1159@reddit
For most people it is good enough. If you play competetive esport, sure, go ahead and grab the top of the line chip. For most people a 5700x is plenty of performance even paired with the most recent graphics cards
ShineHunter13@reddit
In my country it costs the same as 7600X, so why would I buy AM4???
No-Dimension1159@reddit
If you have ddr4 ram laying around already for example... 16gb of ddr5 ram are more expensive than the processor nowadays.
Or you already got certain components like a mainboard
Buying all new it's perhaps not the best idea but might be a good budget choice all things considered. Mainboards are cheaper, chips are much cheaper and ram might be as well because it is likely ddr4
maokaby@reddit
Cheaper ram perhaps.
TheMightySpoon13@reddit
I’m playing games at native 4k and using a 5800x, not even 3d, just fine.
Or are you saying you can’t find high-end am4 CPUs for cheap?
Protoclown98@reddit
I think he is referring to the idea that you can get an x3d chip on an AM4 build. These go for $600 on the second hand market, or $400 used. At that point you might as well go AM5.
ShineHunter13@reddit
5700x and 5800x is also overpriced currently. But mainly X3D, yea
Protoclown98@reddit
Maybe I got lucky but I found a local store that sold me a 5600xt for $149. That felt fair given it was such an old chip and the upgrade from my 3600 was worth it. Might only last me a year or two but if it gets me through the ram crisis, then it was worth the money.
TheMightySpoon13@reddit
True, aside from ddr5 prices.
Been out of the used market a while. I think I picked my 5800x new up for like $200.
ShineHunter13@reddit
“Good CPUs are too expensive” Yes, that’s what I’m saying
supermadafaker40@reddit
Ah yes, my low tier 5700x3d that is probably still in top 10 processors lists.
Firm-Eye7337@reddit
And where do you get 5800x3d?
Specialist_Web7115@reddit
X3D over a plain 5950x how many fps difference?
slimejumper@reddit
yes. get a 5700x3D, you’ll not find a reasonable 5800x3d imho. you can run fast GPUs, storage. DDR4 is still almost reasonable prices. i think if you need to build in 2026 that AM4 should be in your comparisons.
Mriamsosmrt@reddit
Good luck finding a 5700x3d for a reasonable price. I just checked sold listings on ebay and even used they go for $350-$400. At this price point it makes way more sense to go for something like a 270k plus or 7800x3d unless you're already on an am4 platform.
IWillAssFuckYou@reddit
If it's because or DDR4. Just go 14600K instead. Better value and is still being sold new. Be sure to update the BIOS asap.
Specialist_Web7115@reddit
Come on. Another board a sketchy chip with no future? May as well save money until a AM5 is affordable.
IWillAssFuckYou@reddit
It's not a sketchy chip at all. The issues with microcode version 0x12F is largely accepted to have fixed the issue. Nothing sketchy about the 14600k unless you're buying a used chip.
Waiting for AM5 to be affordable could be a two to three year wait for all we know. This small dip in memory prices is temporary and will certainly go back up.
Specialist_Web7115@reddit
My 5950x has served me well. My 64mb ram has as well. My recent addition was only $700 a 9070xt. UE loves cores even in 1440. My chip doesn't have shaky interconnects. There are many choices. I can afford them. But pushing someone on a troubled chip is not one
IWillAssFuckYou@reddit
Dude I just told you, the 14600K is NOT a troubled chip. The issues were literally resolved in the most recent BIOS updates containing the 0x12F microcode. Anyone saying that a brand new chip on the 0x12F microcode is going to fail doesn't know what they're talking about. On 0x12F the 14600k is a flawless chip and offers better gaming performance than virtually all non X3D AM4 chips.
rainydayparfait@reddit
If you're concerned about upgradability I think am4 is the wrong way to go.
But it also depends on what's the budget and what's the use?
Cookie_slayer99@reddit
I am still on am4, im not running anything on ultra and i couldnt give a second damn about ray tracing. As long she is going to play not so demanding games or do daily computer stuff, its still solid
No-Dimension1159@reddit
You can run stuff on ultra and with ray tracing without a top of the line CPU because that's mostly a gpu thing...
What you need the best possible CPU for is ultra high refresh rate low resolution gaming. Basically competitive esports
Cpu performance isn't really that important imo
I'm on an intel 10400f and a 4070 super and have no issues
Protoclown98@reddit
The cpu does play a role in ray tracing. While it is mostly on the GPU turning on raytracing will put a heavier load on the CPU as well.
No-Dimension1159@reddit
Yes and a 5700x is still plenty to do so... Just recently tested one with a 5070 in a ray tracing benchmark
Protoclown98@reddit
TBH the 5600xt can do ray tracing just fine with a good chip. I pair mine with a 6950xt and ray tracing for oblivion remastered works just fine - about 90-120fps depending on the location. The open world can be brutal but in those games there is only so much a chip can do there.
Cookie_slayer99@reddit
Ahh my bad, i only focused on cpu and skipped the gpu part
chickpeasaladsammich@reddit
I upgraded to a 5800XT and 9060XT 16GB to avoid current RAM prices. DDR4 is still stupidly overpriced but an upgrade path might not be worth blowing her budget when she can use AM4 for years and some parts of the build can still carry over (case, PSU, possibly a gpu if you’re staggering upgrades, etc).
finisimo13@reddit
A lot pc illiterate people here in the comments...
Kustu05@reddit
If it's because of DDR4 compatibility, there is very little reason to go for AM4 when LGA 1700 exists. 14th gen chips are a lot faster than the 5000 series non-X3D chips even when using DDR4.
bifowww@reddit
Yea, I still rock cheap 60$ B450 board with aliexpress 5700X3D and 5070 Ti. It runs every game smoothly in 4K. I used to thing about upgrade to ddr5 and 7800X3D when they were cheap a year ago, but I saw no real gains, because 5700X3D is still like within top10 gaming CPUs right now, right after 7800X3D and 5800X3D. It never bottlenecked my system.
HWKII@reddit
If you’re already on AM4 with one of the x3D AM4 chips, there’s no reason to upgrade. Similarly, there’s no reason not to go AM5 if you’re building for the first time today, because at least you can get x3D AM5 chips.
This is a bad time to get in to PC gaming.
nunamakerz@reddit
5700x3d here with a 9070xt , it will play anything I toss at it . I don't game in 4k so not bothered that. 1440 and 1080 are perfect for me.
magabrexitpaedorape@reddit
I had this same build for a while and it was fantastic, but unfortunately the 5700X3D is no longer the budget beast it was.
It's still a beast, but the eBay prices for it ain't looking so good right now.
nunamakerz@reddit
Yeah prices for normal everyday people are long gone I think. Sad really since even consoles are skyrocketing in price. I can't justify the costs right now for someone trying to jump in from scratch. I feel for them.
chodeobaggins@reddit
I'm still rocking AM4 and probably going to upgrade to an x3d chip soon. You should check FB marketplace. At least where I live they seem to sell really slowly and people are always lowering prices and taking offers.
SushiBump@reddit
You also need to consider that your gf probably isn't going to pixel peep or stare at an fps counter on the screen.
5790x+5070 or higher, globally cap her fps 60-100, default DLSSB, dynamic frame gen, and that system should be able to play everything perfectly fine for years. Then you can just slap a new GPU in it in the future if you run into performance issues.
magabrexitpaedorape@reddit
Depends what kind of PC you want to build.
If you're looking for a reasonably modest build, an AM4 PC will help you avoid the insane DDR5 RAM prices, and you can definitely get away with a 5600X or something and still have an alright PC for 1440p gaming.
Unfortunately the discontinuation of the 5700X3D really killed the value proposition of an AM4 build. It and the also discontinued 5800X3D are legitimately good enough for an upper midrange PC (9070 XT/5070 Ti) and they were bargains - I got my 5700X3D for £200 new last year and times were good.
Now a 5700X3D used isn't far off the price of a new 7800X3D, and the 5800X3D is more expensive again - so really they only make economic sense if you already have an AM4 motherboard and DDR4 RAM and refuse to replace everything for an AM5 upgrade at a time when DDR5 is so expensive.
If you are building new, AM5 is probably the best way to go. The RAM will ultimately make it a bit more expensive, but you'll get way better value for what you pay for the CPU and you'll be able to upgrade in a few years' time without having to replace your motherboard and RAM - so probably still cheaper in the long run.
Thomas5020@reddit
For lower end systems, yes. B550 and Ryzen 5 5600 are a great deal.
thingsinmyjeep@reddit
I'm not even sure that building a new computer makes sense this year.
jackbarbelfisherman@reddit
Yes. Especially if you already have a decent DDR4 ram kit. The X3D CPUs are out of reach now, but stuff like the 5800xt is plenty powerful and easily found. LGA1700 with a DDR4 motherboard is worth considering too.
Protoclown98@reddit
AM4 makes a ton of sense if you already have 32gb of RAM to go with it.
If you don't have a microcenter near you, it may make sense depending on sales.
If you have a microcenter near you I think a 16gb RAM AM5 build makes more sense than a budget AM4 build. 16gb should be fine for gaming these days on a budget and the newer chips will outperform the older ones, even if they have less cores.
AmazingToe7231@reddit
Depends how low you need to go. I am running Ryzen 5 3600 with 3080. Even never games run in 4k 60\~fps. Sometimes I need to enable DLSS but not always, as it's better to drop few settings than drop resolution.
Keep in mind that a lot of review sites, YT videos and even people here are straight up bought/sponsored to motivate people to buy the most new stuff, where you could be totally fine with cheaper options.
You guys will get better performance going with cheap AM4 build and decent gpu vs going AM5 and cheaper gpu.
Jels76@reddit
I'm still using an AM4 build. Ryzen 5 5600 and a 4070 Super. No complaints, other than maybe I should have gotten a better CPU, but I was also on a budget.
GroundsKeeper2@reddit
Literally just did this.
chaosPudding123@reddit
I love AMD and i also have an am4 board with a 5800x3D, but i would advise against it. Consider the new Intel chips
VegetableSevere6542@reddit
I heard they are releasing 5500x3d if you can find it. jump on that
GoingtoLaughWhileCry@reddit
5900x and 5070 work fine for me. Sure some performance might be left on the table, but if you just want to play games and not worry about bench marks, it's a very playable experience. I even play on an ultrawide.
OkSystem455@reddit
"...a new PC for my girlfriend...Her budget is low..."
What are her primary apps? How low?
A 5800X3D is likely out of the question given the current asking prices for those...
Naerven@reddit
If that's what you can afford then yes it's ok to build an AM4 or LGA1700 system.
vajicka@reddit
What will be the expected usage?
Consider also Mini PC with Ryzen 7 H255 and Radeon 780M which is avail for as low as 260EUR for set with 16GB DDR5 and 512ssd.
I had before AM4 with 5600G and mini pc above has faster CPU and 2x graphic power.
phobos2deimos@reddit
IMO you’ll pay a steep price for the ability to upgrade. I’d have no qualms about going with AM4 for a budget build.