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Is AM4 Still Worth It? The Ultimate 2024 Buyer’s Guide

Wondering if the AM4 platform is still worth it in 2024? 💻 We break down the cost-to-performance ratio, Ryzen 5000 capabilities, and why this legendary socket remains a budget king for gamers. Find out if you should stick with AM4 or jump to AM5.

05 Dec 2025 | Quick Read | 👤 ChipChaser

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Is AM4 Still Worth It? 2024 Performance Review

Building a new gaming PC in South Africa often feels like a tightrope walk between your wallet and your wishlist. You want killer frame rates, but you also want to afford groceries this month. With all the hype around AMD’s new AM5 platform, a critical question arises for savvy builders: is AM4 still worth it in 2024?

The short answer is a resounding yes… for the right person. Let's break down why this legendary platform remains a champion for value.

The Unbeatable Value of the AM4 Platform

When it comes to bang-for-your-buck performance, the AM4 ecosystem is in a league of its own. Years of market presence mean that motherboards (like the reliable B450 and B550 series) and DDR4 RAM are more affordable than ever. This price maturity allows you to allocate more of your budget towards the component that really impacts your gaming experience: the graphics card. 🚀

This cost-effectiveness is the secret behind many of our excellent budget gaming PCs. You can build or buy a system powered by a CPU like the Ryzen 5 5600—a chip that still crushes 1080p and 1440p gaming—for a fraction of the cost of a new AM5 equivalent. For many gamers, the performance difference just isn't big enough to justify the extra spend.

RYZEN 5 8400F 4.7GHz GT 710 2GB DDR5 Workstation PC

R10079.00In Stock

RYZEN 9 9900X 5.6GHz RTX 5070 Ti 16GB DDR5 Gaming PC

R41369.00In Stock

[Pre Built] HP OMEN 35L B1ZR4EA Intel Core Ultra 7 265K RTX 4080 SUPER Gaming PC

R49349.00In Stock

Why AM4's Upgrade Path is Still a Major Draw

One of AM4's most celebrated features is its incredible longevity. Think about it: you could have bought a B450 motherboard in 2018 with a Ryzen 5 2600, and today, you could drop in a Ryzen 7 5800X3D—one of the fastest gaming CPUs ever made—and experience a monumental performance uplift without changing anything else. That kind of upgrade path is almost unheard of.

This makes AM4 a brilliant starting point. You can get into the game now with a cost-effective build and have a clear, powerful upgrade waiting for you down the line. It's a key reason why you’ll find AM4 powering some of our most popular powerful gaming rigs under R20,000, offering a perfect balance of present power and future potential. ✨

TIP FOR YOU

Crucial Upgrade Tip 🔧

Planning to drop a new Ryzen 5000 series CPU into an older B450 or X470 motherboard? Always update your motherboard's BIOS first! Check your motherboard manufacturer's website for the latest version. Without the correct BIOS, your PC won't boot with the new processor. It’s a simple step that saves a massive headache.

When to Consider AM5 Instead

Of course, AM4 isn't the best choice for every single build. If you're aiming for the absolute cutting edge of performance and have the budget for it, then AM5 is where you should be looking. The newer platform brings two key advantages to the table: DDR5 memory and PCIe 5.0 support.

DDR5 offers higher memory bandwidth, which can benefit certain productivity tasks and provide a slight edge in some next-gen games. PCIe 5.0, while not critical for today's GPUs, offers future-proofing for ultra-fast storage and next-generation graphics cards. For enthusiasts building top-tier systems, exploring high-performance PCs over R20,000 will likely lead you to an AM5 build. If you're unsure where to start, browsing our latest pre-built PC deals gives you a great overview of what’s possible on both platforms.

AMD RYZEN 7 5700 4.6GHz RX 9060 XT 16GB Gaming PC

R19634.00In Stock

AMD RYZEN 7 9800X3D RTX Pro 4500 DDR5 Workstation PC

R78644.00In Stock

RYZEN 7 9700X 5.5GHz RX 9070 XT 16GB DDR5 Gaming PC

R37484.00In Stock

[Pre Built] AMD RYZEN 7 5700 RTX 5060 Gaming PC

R18794.00In Stock

RYZEN 7 5700 4.6GHz RTX 5060 Ti 16GB Budget Gaming PC

R20264.00In Stock

RYZEN 5 9600X 5.2GHz GT 710 2GB DDR5 PC

R14489.00In Stock

The Final Verdict for South African Gamers

So, is AM4 still worth it in 2024? Absolutely.

For anyone building a PC on a sensible budget, or for gamers targeting phenomenal 1080p/1440p performance, AM4 offers value that is simply impossible to ignore. The combination of affordable motherboards, mature DDR4 memory, and powerful, discounted CPUs like the Ryzen 5000 series makes it the undisputed king of price-to-performance.

While AM5 holds the crown for future-proofing and peak performance, AM4 remains the smart, practical, and powerful choice for the vast majority of South African gamers today. It proves you don’t need the latest and greatest to have an incredible gaming experience. Check out Evetech's best gaming PC deals to see just how much power you can get for your Rand.

Ready to Build Your Next Rig? Whether you're harnessing the incredible value of AM4 or stepping into the future with AM5, the right PC is waiting for you. For unbeatable performance at every price point in South Africa, the choice is clear. Explore our massive range of custom and pre-built PCs and find the perfect machine to dominate your game.

No, AM4 remains highly viable. With powerful CPUs like the Ryzen 7 5800X3D, it offers exceptional value for budget-conscious gamers without needing expensive DDR5.

Absolutely. When paired with a capable GPU, AM4 processors handle modern titles effortlessly, often delivering high frame rates at 1080p and 1440p resolutions.

The Ryzen 7 5800X3D is legendary. It remains one of the best gaming CPUs available, frequently rivaling newer AM5 chips in raw gaming performance.

Choose AM4 for maximum value and affordable DDR4 RAM. Choose AM5 if you have a higher budget and want future-proofing with PCIe 5.0 support.

While major CPU releases have shifted to AM5, AMD continues to provide BIOS updates and driver support, ensuring AM4 system stability for years to come.

Yes, high-speed DDR4 RAM provides excellent performance for gaming and multitasking, costing significantly less than the newer DDR5 standard.