I built my PC in 2023 and currently have an RX 6700 XT, R7 5700X3D processor, 32GB of 3600MHz RAM, and I'm using a cheap A520M Pro motherboard with a 650W Bronze PSU. I'm thinking about getting a used RTX 4070 Super, but I've heard that my motherboard might bottleneck the performance and that my PSU could be underpowered. I'm located in France and am looking to buy used parts to keep costs down. Should I invest in upgrading my motherboard and PSU for this GPU? I've considered getting a B550 motherboard and a 750W PSU, but I'm curious if this upgrade is really necessary or if I can make do with what I have. Also, any specific recommendations for the B550 board and PSU would be appreciated!
3 Answers
From what I understand, the 4070 Super's PCIe 4.0 might not benefit much from switching to an upgraded motherboard unless you're looking for specific features like Wi-Fi or extra M.2 slots. For your gaming needs, PCIe 3.0 x16 should handle 1440p just fine. Regarding your PSU, a quality 650W should be sufficient if it's in good condition, but if you're unsure about the 12V connectors, an upgrade might be a smart choice just for peace of mind.
I wouldn't stress too much about your motherboard; as long as it has the features you need, it's probably fine for the 4070 Super. Just make sure your PSU is decent quality because Nvidia cards do draw a lot of power compared to AMD. If your current PSU has what you need, it sounds like gaming at 1440p should be smooth sailing. If you're considering an upgrade, B550s are solid and can support your build well without needing to go X570 right now.
It’s worth noting that while some may say B550 boards are underwhelming, that really varies per manufacturer. For most gaming needs with a 5700X3D, a good B550 should be just fine. If you do have concerns about stability, then upgrading to a better PSU is definitely a good step since Nvidia GPUs can be hungry for power, especially during intense gaming sessions.
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