I'm currently using a Ryzen 5 1400 with an MSI B350 TOMAHAWK motherboard. Both are getting pretty old, and I'm working with a limited budget. Would it make more sense to replace only the CPU with a newer AM4 model, or would I see enough benefit to justify replacing the motherboard and platform as well? I'm especially interested in whether a moderately newer Ryzen processor would provide a noticeable improvement.
3 Answers
Update the BIOS while the Ryzen 5 1400 is still installed, then swap in the new CPU. Be careful when doing this: some BIOS releases for older AM4 boards can drop support for earlier processors, and certain versions may need to be installed in sequence. Read the notes for every relevant BIOS version before updating so you don’t accidentally create a compatibility problem.
A used Ryzen 5 3600 would already be a substantial upgrade and can often be found fairly cheaply. If your budget allows, newer AM4 options such as a Ryzen 5 5500, 5600, or even a Ryzen 7 5700X would extend the system’s useful life considerably. Staying on AM4 lets you spend the money on performance instead of replacing parts that can still be used.
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 major performance boost for much less than moving to an entirely new platform. The best choice depends on your budget and what you use the computer for. Before buying anything, check MSI’s CPU support list and make sure the board has the required BIOS version.
That sounds much more affordable. I’ll check the supported CPUs and BIOS requirements before choosing a replacement.
Also check your power supply. A newer Ryzen chip may not use dramatically more power, but the PSU still needs to be reliable and capable of handling the whole system.
The Ryzen 5 5600 is usually a particularly good target if you can afford it. It offers a stronger upgrade than the 5500, especially if you want the computer to last several more years.