My 11700K and ASUS Z590 Pro WiFi motherboard both failed, so I need to replace the platform. This PC is mainly for gaming at 1440p and 180Hz. I'm keeping an MSI RTX 3080, Corsair RM850x power supply, 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 memory, and a Samsung Odyssey G50D 1440p 180Hz monitor.
I already bought an unopened ASUS TUF B550-PLUS WiFi II for $60, but it's still returnable. I could pair it with a Ryzen 7 5800X3D for roughly $300–350, though that feels expensive for a platform with no meaningful future upgrade path. The other option is returning the B550 board and eventually buying an AM5 bundle, such as a Ryzen 7 7800X3D with an X870 motherboard and 32GB of DDR5 for around $770. A less expensive AM5 bundle might also be possible.
I recently started a new job and am going back to school, so the AM5 cost is difficult right now. Would you save money with the 5800X3D, consider a cheaper AM5 processor, or spend more for the better long-term platform? I mainly play Warzone and plan to play Gears of War: E-Day when it releases.
4 Answers
The 5800X3D would still be a strong gaming upgrade and would work well with your existing DDR4, but $300–350 is a lot to spend on a dead-end platform. You’d have to replace the CPU, motherboard, and RAM the next time you upgrade. It only makes sense if keeping the initial cost as low as possible is more important than having an upgrade path.
Before buying anything else, make sure the diagnosis is correct. If both the processor and motherboard are confirmed dead, then the platform decision makes sense; if only one part failed, replacing just that component could save a lot of money.
I’d lean toward AM5, but you don’t necessarily need a 7800X3D. A Ryzen 5 7600X or 9600X should be more than enough to keep an RTX 3080 well utilized at 1440p, and you can upgrade the CPU later without replacing the motherboard and memory again. Look for a less expensive bundle, such as a 7600X3D option, rather than stretching your budget for the top-end chip.
There’s also a middle ground: keep your DDR4 and use an inexpensive LGA1700 board with a compatible 13th- or 14th-generation Intel i5 or i7. That could provide solid gaming performance without requiring new memory, although AM5 is the better choice if you expect to upgrade the CPU again.
Both the CPU and motherboard are confirmed dead, so I need to replace the platform rather than just one part.