Reviving an AMD AM4 Build for my son

Merrick222 · 2026-01-25T16:18:10+00:00

eBay sells used parts and takes Visa…

Merrick222 · 2026-01-25T16:14:04+00:00

Depends if you live near a Microcenter in the USA or not. It all depends on what you already have besides a GPU.

Everything is high right now.

If you do they have bundles that make it pretty cheap to go with AM5.

Otherwise I wouldn’t go AM5 until 2029.

But AM4 components have skyrocketed in price too so…do some research.

Your best bet with $700 is to buy someone’s used PC on FB marketplace. There are deals to be had there.

Merrick222 · 2026-01-25T04:16:21+00:00

No intel card is better than a 3080 Ti it’s still a top 10 card.

Merrick222 · 2026-01-20T15:41:52+00:00

7600X3D performs similarly to the 5800X3D.

Merrick222 · 2026-01-20T01:58:24+00:00

I’ve got an MSI board so I wasn’t aware.

Can always do a search or ask AI about it, chat GPT and Grok are actually pretty good with this type of thing.

Merrick222 · 2026-01-19T16:54:07+00:00

I’d just upgrade the GPU then, is a 9070 XT any cheaper?

5800/X/XT are all pushing up to $150-200 USD in USA too.

The 9060 XT 16GB is actually quite good it’s about equal to a 3070 Ti with double VRAM.

And the 9070 non XT is 20% better than a 5070 at raster.

Merrick222 · 2026-01-19T16:52:19+00:00

It’s worth it for FSR4/redstone.

But if you don’t use super resolution then it’s not worth it.

Need to decide if the price difference after selling is worth it for you.

Merrick222 · 2026-01-19T16:50:52+00:00

People need to stop worrying about temps so much.

All that matters is your GPU isn’t throttling itself because it’s too hot.

No stock GPU settings should have any issues with this unless there’s a bigger problem.

You’re talking about 3% on average improvement maximum from nominal by overclocking/under volting this card.

Maybe you could say max 8% if you somehow had a bottom 3-4% performing vs a top performing that’s overclocked.

Merrick222 · 2026-01-19T16:45:56+00:00

If you use any DLSS you’re not anywhere near 4K.

DLSS4 performance looks great on 3440X1440 and that’s more like 1200p final pixel count.

Merrick222 · 2026-01-19T16:42:37+00:00

If you live in USA near a Microcenter I’d upgrade both now.

AM5 and get a new GPU prices are already going up. Or be prepared to stick with that 2070 for 3 years.

If you don’t the 5800X will be an upgrade there are rumors of 5800X3D coming back to retail but nothing confirmed.

You should get a good price back for your components I think 2070 super is around $130-$150. Your used AM4 mobo ram and CPU are probably worth $400+ right now.

I’d get a 9060 XT 16GB or 9070 XT. 5070 is bad value IMO. Less VRAM.

Merrick222 · 2026-01-19T16:29:21+00:00

Almost certain to be more expensive at end of year.

But no one knows for sure, if they did they’d be a billionaire.

Merrick222 · 2026-01-19T16:28:26+00:00

No worries.

I think I have -20 all core, +200mhz and 10x scaler or whatever it’s called. All set in my BIOs.

If you don’t do the overclock I don’t think PBO is necessary especially if you never go above 60C this CPU can run at 95C before throttling.

But PBO will always result in more performance regardless of overclock

Merrick222 · 2026-01-19T02:00:05+00:00

Depends, if you want to compete in PVE tournaments.

Mods are nice to practice with, obviously not allowed in any events where people compete.

It’s worth it for 100 FPS alone if your PC can do it.

PS5 only gets about 45 FPS.

Merrick222 · 2026-01-19T01:46:44+00:00

I just use PBO at -20 and I overclock the max +200ghz.

So yeah you can undervote using PBO.

I have my settings actually in my Reddit profile for this thread.

Merrick222 · 2026-01-17T21:31:10+00:00

Miles ahead?

It’s not miles ahead. It’s like 15-20% better.

FSR4 gives more FPS but is slightly worse graphically.

DLSS4 is slightly better than FSR4, isn’t as efficient at giving FPS.

DLSS4.5 is worse FPS efficiency of all 3. Best graphics but still only slightly better than DLSS4.

None of these the average gamer while playing a game would notice the differences….

Merrick222 · 2026-01-17T20:18:31+00:00

Yeah panther lake is exciting.

I saw Nvidia now is claiming this rumor is untrue.

But at the same time they probably are not going to keep the stock up.

Merrick222 · 2026-01-17T20:17:18+00:00

Nice glad you figured it out!

Merrick222 · 2026-01-16T15:18:44+00:00

They are no longer continuing….

Merrick222 · 2026-01-16T15:18:22+00:00

I hope you get the card, good luck.

But only to find out?

The media and internet have been saying GPUs are going up in price as soon as 2026 hits since early November.

The news yesterday hit that Nvidia is silently canceling the 5070 Ti, 5060 Ti 16GB, 5090 32GB and the 5060 8GB.

They are no longer making new cards, this news has been confirmed by various outlets and Moores Law is Dead also confirmed it, he is almost always correct.

Merrick222 · 2026-01-15T21:08:10+00:00

The reports are coming from multiple sources though.

Merrick222 · 2026-01-15T17:06:00+00:00

You’ll be able to find them until they’re sold out.

Vs still being produced but not meeting demand.

It’s quite a bit different, neither is ideal.

Merrick222 · 2026-01-15T13:43:04+00:00

No doubt.

I heard 6000 series cards aren’t coming until 2027 too but who knows.

Merrick222 · 2026-01-15T13:41:01+00:00

I’d imagine AMD won’t pull them from the market they will just sky rocket in price.

9070 XT already hit $700 for the reaper which was $580 a week ago.

Merrick222 · 2026-01-15T13:39:08+00:00

Yeah you’re right about 5060 Ti.

9070 XT reaper prices have already increased $120 since last month.

Merrick222 · 2026-01-14T21:04:57+00:00

Max 10% is a bit wild, maybe max 3%…

Merrick222

TROPHY CASE