I'm planning to move from my current Ryzen 7 5800X, B450 Aorus Elite V2, and 32GB of DDR4-3600 to a Ryzen 7 9800X3D with 32GB of DDR5-6000 CL30. I'm keeping my RX 9070 XT and 850W power supply. I'm currently considering the ASUS TUF Gaming X870E-Plus, but I'd like opinions on whether that board is worthwhile or if a less expensive AM5 option would be a better choice. Are there any other components I need to replace for the platform upgrade?
3 Answers
Your existing system is already very capable, especially with the RX 9070 XT. Unless you specifically need the extra CPU performance or have a good bundle deal, staying on AM4 may be the better value. Memory and storage prices are also high, so there’s no urgent reason to upgrade just for the sake of moving platforms.
The X870E-Plus is likely overkill for a typical gaming system. Even a reasonably priced B850 board should be sufficient, provided it has the rear I/O, M.2 slots, networking, and other features you actually want. Your 850W power supply and RX 9070 XT can remain in the build, assuming the PSU is a good-quality unit and has the appropriate connectors. You’ll mainly need the AM5 motherboard, DDR5 memory, and possibly a compatible CPU cooler mount or bracket.
X870 offers newer connectivity and features, but most gaming builds don’t need them. A good B850 motherboard should handle a 9800X3D without trouble and can save a substantial amount of money. Choose X870 or X870E only if you need a particular feature, such as additional high-speed USB, storage connectivity, or expansion support.
When would you consider those extra features necessary?
That’s fair. I saw a bundle deal for the new platform and was tempted to take advantage of it, since I’m not sure prices will drop much in the near future.