I recently upgraded to a new ASUS Prime 5070 Ti after some dissatisfaction with my previous graphics card, and I realized my Ryzen 7 1700 CPU might be bottlenecking my GPU performance. I'm looking for a better CPU for my AM4 motherboard within the $150 range, or cheaper if possible, that won't limit my GPU's potential. Also, I'm curious about my upcoming build plans, specifically regarding whether investing in a B650E-I or B850-I motherboard with Wi-Fi 7 is worth it, given my current setup and needs.
3 Answers
Used options like the 5600 or 5600X should fit your budget perfectly. They bring substantial performance improvements over the 1700. The 5700X could also be an option, but make sure you avoid the 5700 unless you're getting it for a major discount—it's not as efficient as the others.
If you're sticking to a budget of $150, I'd say the Ryzen 5 5600 is your best bet. It's quite a step up from your 1700 and offers great performance without significant bottlenecks, especially if you're gaming at 1080p or 1440p. You might hit some limits at 4K, but overall, it's really solid for most games.
Definitely look into the Ryzen 5 5600. It's got excellent price-to-performance on AM4 and works with most boards after a BIOS update. You'll see a big increase in FPS compared to your current CPU, plus it runs cool and efficiently. It's pretty much the best choice in your price range!
Just a heads up, if you lean towards the 5700, go with the 5700X instead. The differences matter! The 5600 and 5600X generally outclass the 5700 for your needs, so prioritize those.