First PC Build (UK) - Aiming for Forward Compatibility

MickParker · February 14, 2022

Budget (including currency): £600 (GBP)

Country: UK

Games, programs or workloads that it will be used for: Development (I'll need to run IDEs, databases, multiple browser tabs and such); I don't need to game on it yet but would like to add a GPU in 12-18 months to play a few games like Assassins Creed, DIRT 5 and Rainbow Six Siege

Other details (existing parts lists, whether any peripherals are needed, what you're upgrading from, when you're going to buy, what resolution and refresh rate you want to play at, etc): No peripherals needed, upgrading from a laptop but have a mouse & keyboard already; happy to game at 1080p when I add a GPU although 1440p would be a bonus

Hi guys,

I'm looking to do my first full build (I messed around with hardware in high school but have never built a system from scratch).

I want to get a basic system now that can be upgraded later. I'm in no rush to game on this machine so I'll assess the market in 12-18 months. I just want it for everyday use and development for now.

Here's what I came up with so far but don't know if I'm overspending or underspending on the CPU/motherboard/power supply. I'll probably look to add a WiFi card and extra USB ports later.

https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/list/QckNGL

I'm undecided between AMD and Intel but AMD seem to be slightly better value..?

(They come with a cooler and also I'm not sure I need the better single thread performance of something like an i5-12600K).

Do I get a cheaper CPU now and also upgrade that down the track?

Appreciate your advice!

AudiTTFan · February 14, 2022

Wait until AMD releases Socket AM5 later this year if you want forward compatibility, since Socket AM4 is near the end of its 6-year lifespan. Intel on the other hand changes sockets every 2 or 3 years, so your chances of upgrading to their latest CPU in the future without replacing the whole board are probably lower

heimdali · February 14, 2022

Buy a used workstation with 64GB RAM and with a CPU or CPUs that has/have a lot of cores off ebay? You do the math and you'll probably find that there's hardly any better deal for the money than that.

There isn't really anything like "forward compatibility" because by the time you would want to upgrade, technology has already moved "forward" and left you behind. It's a game you can't win --- and you don't need to try, especially when your reason for having a computer is not mainly playing games.

Your "forward compatibility" is replacing your workstation with another used one when you feel you need to, in 3--5 years maybe. That kind of "forward compatibility" even automatically includes being environmentally friendly.