Hey folks! I'm thinking about upgrading my CPU and motherboard while keeping my GPU and RAM. Here's my current setup:
- CPU: i5-8400
- Motherboard: Aorus B365M Elite
- RAM: 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 3600MHz
- GPU: RTX 3060 12GB
I'm contemplating moving to AM4 and getting a Ryzen 5 5600, but I notice that I can score a Ryzen 7 5700X for just about $15 more. Do you think the 5700X is the better pick for that small price difference? Also, if anyone has suggestions for a budget B550M motherboard, I've been looking at the MSI B550M Pro-VDH WiFi. Would love to hear your thoughts on that too! Thanks!
2 Answers
Honestly, if you're moving from an i5-8400, you should just go for AM5 instead. There really isn't much reason to stick with the older AM4 architecture, as the price difference isn't usually that big.
I'd say upgrading to the Ryzen 5 5600 is definitely a solid performance boost without breaking the bank. The Ryzen 7 5700X is absolutely worth the extra $15—go for it! Regarding motherboards, the MSI PRO B550M-VC WiFi is a decent pick as it supports the 5000 series CPUs. Just make sure to avoid older or cheaper B550 boards that may need a BIOS update to work out of the box.
Thanks a lot for the input! I’m leaning towards the 5700X now—it feels like a no-brainer for just $15 more. I hadn’t fully considered the BIOS update issue, but I’ll make sure to get a board that supports the 5000 series CPUs out of the box. I'll definitely check local pricing for the MSI PRO B550M-VC WiFi too. Appreciate the help!
I did think about going AM5, but the price gap where I live is pretty substantial. An AM4 bundle (like a Ryzen 7 5700X with a B550 board) costs about $200 less than an entry-level AM5 combo. So for my needs and budget, AM4 feels like the sweet spot right now. Thanks for the suggestion though—I appreciate the perspective!