I'm trying to get Call of Duty: Warzone working and have also been running into BIOS and TPM update issues. I'm not very experienced with PC hardware, so I'm unsure whether the problem is caused by my older processor, motherboard BIOS, or something else.
My current system is:
- Motherboard: MSI B450 Gaming Plus MAX
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 2600, 6 cores/12 threads
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB
- RAM: 16GB
I have around £200 to spend on one component. I use the PC for gaming, 3D modeling, and video editing, and I was considering the Ryzen 7 5800X because it costs about £188. Would it be a good choice for my motherboard and these workloads? I'd also like to know whether I should prioritize a CPU upgrade or save the money for a graphics card instead. If a BIOS update is required before installing a newer Ryzen processor, what should I check first?
3 Answers
The Ryzen 7 5800X is compatible with the MSI B450 Gaming Plus MAX, but you’ll need a BIOS version that supports Ryzen 5000 processors. Check MSI’s CPU support list and update the BIOS while the Ryzen 5 2600 is still installed. Don’t remove the old CPU until the update has completed successfully.
For 3D modeling and video editing, the 5800X would be a worthwhile improvement because its 8 cores and 16 threads provide substantially more processing power than the 2600. It should also address the older Ryzen firmware/TPM limitation you’re seeing, assuming the motherboard is updated correctly. Remember that the 5800X does not include a stock cooler, so include a suitable CPU cooler in your budget if you don’t already have one.
For gaming, your GTX 1060 is probably the biggest performance limit at the moment. The Ryzen 5 2600 is older, but it can still run many games reasonably well, while the 1060 is now quite weak for newer titles and higher settings. If gaming is the main priority, saving for a graphics card—possibly a good used model—may give you a larger improvement than moving straight to a 5800X.
That said, the 5800X makes more sense if your 3D modeling and video editing workloads are important, and it could also help with the firmware issue that prompted the upgrade. Just don’t expect a new CPU alone to transform Warzone performance while keeping the GTX 1060.
The TPM wording is probably causing some confusion. The Ryzen 5 2600 uses an older firmware TPM implementation, and seeing an older firmware version does not necessarily mean the processor is broken or that it prevents games from running. Warzone’s problems could also be related to BIOS settings, Secure Boot, Windows configuration, drivers, or the graphics card.
Before buying anything, update the motherboard BIOS using the current Ryzen 5 2600, then enable firmware TPM and Secure Boot if the game requires them. Also confirm that Windows is installed in UEFI mode. If you still want a CPU upgrade afterward, the 5800X is a strong AM4 option within your budget.
The motherboard itself doesn’t need to be replaced for this upgrade. The important part is making sure the BIOS is updated before swapping CPUs, since an older BIOS may not boot with a Ryzen 5000 chip.