I've been using a Ryzen 5 1600 AF for a couple of years and recently upgraded to 32GB of DDR4-3200 memory and a 1080p 180Hz monitor. With all four 8GB sticks installed, I can only run the RAM at around 2444MHz even though my motherboard supports faster speeds. The monitor also sometimes feels slightly stuttery or inconsistent. Would upgrading to a Ryzen 7 5700X help with those issues? I'm currently using a GTX 1660 Ti, an Asus B450M-A motherboard, and a 500W Redragon 80+ Bronze power supply. My budget is roughly $250–300, and I also do some Blender modeling and engineering-related work.
5 Answers
Yes, the 5700X would be a major upgrade from the 1600 AF. You should see much better minimum frame rates, smoother multitasking, and improved performance in applications like Blender. It could reduce stuttering if the CPU is currently causing the frame-time issues, although it cannot guarantee that the monitor problem will disappear. Check GPU usage, temperatures, background processes, and frame-time graphs too.
The four memory sticks and mixed kits are probably why DDR4-3200 is unstable. Even if the modules have matching advertised specifications, two separate kits may use different memory chips, and four DIMMs put more stress on the memory controller. A matched 2x16GB kit would have a better chance of running at 3200MHz, though the current setup can still work at a lower speed.
I hadn’t considered that the two kits might not be identical internally. I may replace them with one matched 32GB kit if lowering the speed doesn’t help.
Your B450 motherboard should support the 5700X, but install the correct BIOS update before replacing the CPU. Use the newest stable version that lists Ryzen 5000 support, and check the board manufacturer’s CPU support page rather than relying only on the BIOS date. After updating, enable XMP or DOCP and test the memory again.
I installed the latest BIOS already, so I’ll verify that the version specifically supports the 5700X.
The power supply should be enough for the 5700X and 1660 Ti based on wattage, but the quality and condition of that particular unit matter. You probably do not need to replace it for this CPU upgrade, but choose a reputable model before installing a substantially faster future graphics card.
For gaming with a GTX 1660 Ti, the 5700X is a sensible drop-in upgrade and should pair well with your current system. If you need a motherboard and RAM replacement as well, moving to a newer platform would make more sense, but that is not necessary if your B450 board is compatible. A 5700X3D could be faster for gaming, but the 5700X is usually the better value if the X3D model is expensive.
That makes sense. I’m hoping the newer CPU will at least improve the inconsistent feeling in games and general use.