I've got an MSI B450-A PRO MAX motherboard with an RX 6600 GPU, a Ryzen 5 3600 CPU, and 16GB of RAM (2x8GB at 2667MHz). I'm considering upgrading to a more powerful graphics card like the RTX 5070/5070 Ti or RX 9070XT for better 1440p gaming. I also want to boost my RAM to 32GB or 64GB since I'm running Android Studio for mobile development, which is quite memory-hungry. My current CPU might bottleneck a high-end GPU, so I'm curious if it's safe to install a high-end AM4 CPU like the Ryzen 7 5800X3D and max out the RAM on my existing board. I'm concerned about thermal performance, and also whether pairing a high-end GPU with a PCIe 3.0 motherboard makes sense. Should I hold off and save for an AM5 upgrade instead?
5 Answers
If used 5800X3Ds are pricey and you need new RAM too, consider going for a new CPU, motherboard, and RAM all together to go AM5. You'll not only save money in the long term but also ensure your system is more future-proof. It might be a better investment overall!
Your motherboard's VRMs should handle the 5800X3D just fine, but an updated BIOS is crucial. As for the PCIe 3.0 question, it's not ideal, but it won't significantly hinder the performance of a new GPU. Just keep in mind, if you're going all out on upgrades, consider if it’s worth it with your current setup being CPU-bound.
Honestly, calling a B450 'old' is a stretch! It’s totally capable. You might lose a bit of performance on PCIe 3.0, but it should be negligible—like a couple of percent at most. Plus, make sure to update your BIOS before making any upgrades; it's essential for compatibility and safety with the new CPUs.
The main concern should be your PSU rather than the motherboard itself. For a powerful GPU like the 9070XT, I doubt 550W will be sufficient. And if you’re replacing your CPU and RAM, it might make more sense to just go for an AM5 upgrade now for better long-term value. You’ll be happier in the end if you do the full upgrade rather than piecemealing it.
If you're worried about compatibility, you'll be fine going with the Ryzen 5800X3D on your B450 motherboard. I’ve got a similar setup, and I haven’t encountered any issues. Just make sure your PSU can handle the power draw, especially since AMD cards can have spikes. A good 550W PSU should work, but keep an eye on it. Also, if you're upgrading RAM, try to get sticks that match the specs for better performance!
Yeah, definitely check the BIOS! It plays a huge role, especially with voltage settings for those high-end chips!