I'm currently using a Ryzen 5 1400 with an MSI B350 Tomahawk motherboard. Both are getting fairly old, and I have a limited budget. Would it make more sense to replace only the CPU with a newer AM4 model, or would upgrading the motherboard and CPU together provide a much bigger improvement? I'd like to know which upgrades offer the best value and whether there are any compatibility or BIOS issues I should watch out for.
4 Answers
Before updating the BIOS, read the notes for every version newer than the one currently installed. Some older AM4 boards may require updates in a particular order, and certain BIOS releases can change support for older processors. It’s safest to update with the Ryzen 5 1400 installed and verify the exact CPU support list for your board.
You probably don’t need to replace the motherboard. The B350 Tomahawk supports a wide range of AM4 processors, so a CPU upgrade could provide a substantial performance boost for much less money than moving to a newer platform. The best choice depends on your budget and whether you mainly game, work, or do something more CPU-intensive.
Check the BIOS requirements before installing the replacement CPU. You may need to update the BIOS while the Ryzen 5 1400 is still installed.
A used Ryzen 5 3600 would already be a major improvement and can often be found fairly cheaply. If your budget allows, newer AM4 chips such as the Ryzen 5 5500 or Ryzen 5 5600 offer even better value. There’s no need to change platforms unless you specifically need the features or performance of a much newer CPU and motherboard combination.
The Ryzen 5 5500 is a good budget-oriented starting point, while the Ryzen 5 5600 or Ryzen 7 5700X would be stronger upgrades if you can spend more. Those processors can extend the life of the existing motherboard considerably, especially if you’re already using a suitable graphics card.
For a relatively inexpensive upgrade, staying on AM4 and looking at a Ryzen 5 or Ryzen 7 makes sense. Just confirm that your power supply can handle the new processor and any other planned upgrades.