This Ryzen CPU, DDR5 kit, and cooler bundle is your sensible way to navigate the stormy waters of the DRAMageddon

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You'll need an AM5 motherboard to go with it, of course, but at least they're not priced into outer space.

An image showing a collage of PC components (CPU, DRAM, and cooler) against a colorful background, with the phrase 'Deals' on the right side, above a PC Gamer logo
(Image credit: AMD/MSI/Team Group)
Newegg CPU Memory Combo
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Newegg CPU Memory Combo: was $449.98 now $339.98 at Newegg

Six months ago, this wouldn't have been much of a deal, but now that DRAM is ludicrously expensive, it's the only sensible way of bagging an upgrade for an older gaming PC.

Key specs: AMD Ryzen 5 9600X processor | Team Group Delta T-Force RGB 16 GB DDR5-6000 CL38 kit | MSI MAG Coreliquid A13 240 cooler

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If you've got an old-ish gaming PC, maybe one that's around six to ten years old, you might be despairing over doing a full system upgrade right now. While you can transplant your current graphics card and storage drives into any new build, the very latest processors all use DDR5 RAM, and that costs a small fortune. It's no better with DDR4, so there's not much point in choosing an older CPU, either.

A close-up photo of an AMD Ryzen 5 9600X CPU

(Image credit: Future)

Fortunately, there is some light in the grim tunnel, and it's in the form of Newegg's CPU bundles. Not all of them are worth considering, but this one certainly is, because you're getting a nifty Ryzen 5 9600X CPU, a 16 GB dual-channel DDR5-6000 memory kit, and an MSI Coreliquid AIO cooler for a smidge under $400.

Given that the CPU alone normally retails for around $190, and you're looking at least $230 for a basic 16 GB DRAM kit, you're already saving a bit of money before Newegg throws in an MSI liquid cooler.

The process has six Zen 5 cores, with support for 12 threads; it also has 32 MB of L3 cache and a boost clock of 5.4 GHz. With a standard power limit of just 60 W, it's very easy to keep cool, too. AMD's budget gaming chip was rather overpriced at launch, but not anymore, and it's a great little gaming processor.

Team Group's T-Force DDR5 kit is pretty decent, too. Sure, the looks are a bit over-the-top, but you won't really notice that once it's installed inside your PC. And don't worry about the capacity, either, because 16 GB is still plenty enough memory for gaming for most scenarios.

1 / 2

Gaming performance

16 vs 32 GB system memory

Avg FPS
1% Low FPS
RTX 5070 - 32 GB system RAM
38
27
RTX 5070 - 16 GB system RAM
36
27
010203040
Cyberpunk 2077 (RT Overdrive) Data
ProductValue
RTX 5070 - 32 GB system RAM 38 Avg FPS, 27 1% Low FPS
RTX 5070 - 16 GB system RAM 36 Avg FPS, 27 1% Low FPS

Lastly, while the cooler isn't a massive beast of a thing, it's going cope absolutely fine with the little Ryzen's modicum of heat. Plus, being 240 mm in size, it's going to fit in a lot more cases than a 360 mm will. Do note that the cooler isn't technically part of the bundle: it's a 'free gift offer', so just make sure it's selected when you head for the checkout.

There's only one aspect missing from this bundle for a gaming PC upgrade, and that's a motherboard. Fortunately, you've got plenty to choose from, covering all kinds of budgets, and the RAMpocalypse hasn't affected these at all. For example, Gigabyte's B850 Gaming X is well-specced and nice to look at, and only costs $180 at Newegg.

You can spend less or considerably more on a motherboard, but the point is that you have plenty of options. So while you might not be able to build the upgrade of your dreams because of RAM prices, you can do a little one that will serve you well for years to come.

👉Check out all of Newegg's CPU bundle deals here👈

AMD Ryzen 9 9800X3D processor
Best CPU for gaming 2026

1. Best overall:
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D

2. Best budget:
AMD Ryzen 5 7600X

3. Best mid-range:
AMD Ryzen 7 9700X

4. Best high-end:
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D

5. Best AM4 upgrade:
AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D

6. Best CPU graphics:
AMD Ryzen 7 8700G


👉Check out our full CPU guide👈

Nick Evanson
Nick Evanson
Hardware Writer

Nick, gaming, and computers all first met in the early 1980s. After leaving university, he became a physics and IT teacher and started writing about tech in the late 1990s. That resulted in him working with MadOnion to write the help files for 3DMark and PCMark. After a short stint working at Beyond3D.com, Nick joined Futuremark (MadOnion rebranded) full-time, as editor-in-chief for its PC gaming section, YouGamers. After the site shutdown, he became an engineering and computing lecturer for many years, but missed the writing bug. Cue four years at TechSpot.com covering everything and anything to do with tech and PCs. He freely admits to being far too obsessed with GPUs and open-world grindy RPGs, but who isn't these days?

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