I'm trying to get some insight into my PC build. I don't have a big budget, but I enjoy gaming and streaming. I recently upgraded to an XFX Swift Triple Fan RX 9070 XT and I'm using an older Intel i9-13900K processor. However, I've come to suspect that my Asrock B660M motherboard might be a bottleneck, preventing my CPU from reaching its full potential. I've also stuck with DDR4 RAM, and I'm having trouble finding any Z690 or Z790 motherboards that support DDR4. I'm wondering if I should transition to DDR5, which would mean a complete upgrade of my motherboard, RAM, case, and possibly my CPU cooler due to size restrictions. Specifically, I have a Noctua NH-D15, and it's tough to find DDR5 RAM that would fit under it without exceeding the height restriction of 32mm. Plus, if I need to change the cooler to accommodate this upgrade, I'd need to rethink my case because of the large GPU. Any advice would be appreciated!
4 Answers
Your Asrock B660M likely has lower-quality VRMs, which can certainly limit the performance of your i9-13900K. DDR4 will also definitely be slower than DDR5. If you do decide to upgrade, keep in mind that a new motherboard will set you back around $150, and RAM could run you about $300. If you're close to a Microcenter, consider getting an AMD CPU like the 7800x3d or 9850x3d and selling off your current parts. But if you're gaming at 1440P, you might want to consider how much your GPU plays into performance as well.
What's the exact model of your motherboard?
Honestly, I doubt you’d notice a significant improvement with those changes. A lot of users have reported minimal gains with similar setups.
Really? I've heard that the VRM limitations of the B660M could really impact performance.
You might want to hold off on changing your motherboard for now. Updating the BIOS and tweaking the settings manually could help your 13900K perform better without needing to swap out everything. Your current B660M should be able to handle it at reasonable settings.
Thanks for the tip! My trouble is I’m having a hard time undervolting it, and I think I’m too much of a noob to figure it out.
I hear you! Unfortunately, selling parts here in Venezuela is tough. I'd love to try an AMD setup, but with my recent GPU purchase, it seems like a shot in the dark.