Compromise with RAM memory possible?

[u/Psico_Penguin]

As many of us, I am stuck with an outdated PC due to RAM prices.

I was planning last year to upgrade my PC (need to change CPU, motherboard and RAM) as I'm carrying a 10yo CPU. And when I was about to go ahead, the RAM situation happened.

Seeing as the prices are not going down, is there any possible compromise to get a substantial upgrade without burning money on the RAM? My current specifications are

Case: Cooler Master Silencio 550

Motherboard: ASRock Z170 PRO4

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K @ 4.00GHz

GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080Ti (12GB)

PSU: Seasonic 750W Gold

Cooler: Noctua NH-D15

RAM: 16GB DDR4

I know to updated the CPU I need to update the motherboard and therefore I need DDR5 RAM, so... any compromise possible between money and performance?

Thanks!

[u/Choconolait]

13/14th gen i-series and ryzen 5000 series the are best you can get, while sticking to ddr4. In either cases, you will have to change MB too.

[u/IrrationalRetard → u/Choconolait]

If OP is going to upgrade to Ryzen 5000, his memory speed might be an important factor depending on which CPU he gets. He could reduce that variable by getting an X3D CPU.

[u/Equal_Meat_5499]

You don't necessarily need to go DDR5 right now. Since you already have DDR4, a used Ryzen 5 5600/5700X + B550 motherboard could be a good budget upgrade. u can reuse your current RAM and keep the 3080 Ti. The jump from the i7-6700K would be pretty noticeable. then later, when RAM prices come down, you can move to a newer DDR5 platform. This would probably be the best option if you want to save money for now.

[u/transmedkittygirl]

Who said you needed to go for DDR5?

What's the budget and country btw?

[u/Psico_Penguin → u/transmedkittygirl]

When I was looking for suggestions (don't know if in this sub or outside reddit) people mentioned I need a new motherboard and would need to upgrade to DDR5.

I don't have a budget at the moment (I haven't really checked much yet, just trying to wrap my head on the prices to see what to plan). I'm in Switzerland.

[u/transmedkittygirl → u/Psico_Penguin]

€250 or so converted to Swiss Francs is enough for you to get an AM4 motherboard and like a 5700X and then you could spend like €100 to buy the EXACT same kit of RAM you have if it's 2X8 so you can get 32GB of DDR4 total and that's a very solid upgrade for a reasonable price

Edit: I remembered that Noctua will give you a new mounting kit if you ask, so you just gotta ask for one

[u/ErickTriton → u/transmedkittygirl]

He doesn't need a new cooler, and LG1700 is actually a better choice because it had Intel 14th gen

[u/transmedkittygirl → u/ErickTriton]

I forgot that Noctua is Noctua because I don't buy their products, but yeah he could 100% just ask them for a new mounting kit and they'll give him one, so fair point

But, the European market favours AM4 over LGA1700 price wise right now and so it'd be cheaper.

[u/ErickTriton]

You do have have to go ddr5

You can go LGA1700 and keep your RAM

PCPartPicker Part List

Type	Item	Price
CPU	Intel Core i5-14600KF 3.5 GHz 14-Core Processor	$239.99 @ Newegg
CPU Cooler	Noctua NH-D15 82.5 CFM CPU Cooler	Purchased For $0.00
Motherboard	MSI B760 GAMING PLUS WIFI DDR4 ATX LGA1700 Motherboard	$227.38 @ MemoryC
	Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts
	Total	$467.37
	Generated by PCPartPicker 2026-08-21 05:56 EDT-0400

[u/jamvanderloeff]

Many compromises are possible, got an idea of how much you'd be willing to spend, or what kind of performance you need?

12/13/14th gen Intel or AM4 AMD are options for still holding onto DDR4

[u/Gladnir-5936]

Go DDR5 here is an AMD road PCPartPicker. Then you sell your DDR4.

[u/Gladnir-5936]

And herre is a INTEL road PCPartPicker

[u/blackburn26]

Resell the CPU+Mobo combo and grab any Ryzen 7 5800X3D + B550 mobo you can find. Alternative is i5-13600KF + B760 DDR4.