I'm planning to switch from an LGA1511 setup to an AM4 configuration. Currently, I have a Z270-F motherboard paired with an i7-7700K processor and mainly use my PC for gaming. My budget is around $110 to $200, and I already own DDR4 RAM. I would really appreciate recommendations for good motherboard and CPU combinations, especially if they support NVMe (at least one port for an SSD would be great) and ideally a 3-pin RGB header for fans. Also, I'm wondering if I should just stick with Intel and consider going for the LGA1200 instead.
3 Answers
Definitely check around on local marketplaces since you could likely snag a Ryzen 3xxx series CPU, or if your budget allows, aim for the 5xxx series. Most AM4 motherboards come with NVMe support and usually have at least one M.2 slot for your SSD, plus 3-pin RGB headers are pretty common too!
If you're willing to consider the LGA 1700 platform, you might want to look into that option. An i5 12600K could be excellent for gaming, and it's newer than AM4. However, if you're sticking to the AM4 setup, a Ryzen 5600 or 5600X would be great choices as well.
For your situation, I'd suggest the Ryzen 5 5600 paired with the cheapest B550 motherboard you can find. This combo will let you upgrade your GPU without worrying about any bottlenecks. It's a solid choice for gaming on a budget!
Just a heads-up, the Ryzen 5500 isn't the best pick. It has lower cache and turbo speed compared to the 5600, plus it only has PCIe Gen 3 which could limit your setup.