I'm looking to upgrade my desktop setup which I primarily use for office tasks, occasional gaming, and sim racing. I don't need to go all out with top-tier components and ideally want to keep costs moderate. I'm considering upgrading the motherboard, CPU, and GPU, and possibly the power supply as well. My plan is to utilize the existing components for a home desktop for my parents.
Here are the current specs from my 2020 build:
- MSI B450 Tomahawk Max
- Ryzen 5 3600
- Sapphire 5600 XT
- 32 GB DDR4 3200
- 1 TB NVMe M.2
- Corsair TX650M
I haven't kept up with the latest options, so I'm wondering if it makes sense to switch to a 5060 or 5070, or a newer gen i5 or i7, while keeping the SSD and RAM? I'm based in the EU.
2 Answers
For a decent upgrade without breaking the bank, I’d suggest looking at the Ryzen 7 5700X paired with an AMD RX 6800 XT. You might want to swap out the CPU cooler too while you're at it. Your existing 650W power supply should handle those components just fine.
It’s definitely worth mentioning your budget! But since you’re thinking about switching the motherboard and CPU, I'd target the Ryzen 7 5700X or 5800X, along with the RTX 5070. Just keep in mind that if you go with the 5070, a 750W power supply would be a safer bet since it's near the limit of your current 650W supply. Try checking out the prices for these options, including AMD's Ryzen 5 5600X and some Intel options with a B760 motherboard if that interests you.
Thanks! My budget isn't limited, but I'm looking for good value rather than top-tier specs. Considering reusing the motherboard, do you think upgrading it is worth it even if I stick with Ryzen? Any suggestions for a compatible one without built-in WiFi?