I currently have an RTX 2070 Super and need a CPU and motherboard to use with it. I'm in Brazil, where the used market has a decent selection of AM4 parts. I want the best value possible because this is only a temporary upgrade before I eventually move to AM5, although I'm not sure when that will happen. What combination would you recommend?
3 Answers
A Ryzen 5 5600X with a reasonably priced AM4 motherboard would be a solid choice. The 5600X is only a 65W chip, so it doesn’t require an especially powerful VRM setup, and it pairs well with an RTX 2070 Super for gaming. Just check that the motherboard’s BIOS supports Ryzen 5000, since some older boards may need an update first.
An Intel Core i5-14400F with a B760 motherboard is another capable pairing. It should handle the RTX 2070 Super well and offers strong gaming performance, though it may not make as much sense if you’re specifically trying to keep this upgrade very cheap and plan to move to AM5 later.
How does the 14400F compare with Ryzen in practice, especially for temperatures? I previously had an i7-7700K that ran hot, so I’d prefer something easier to cool.
Since this is a stopgap system, buying a used Ryzen 5 5600 or 5600X and a compatible B450, B550, or A520 board could give you the best value in Brazil. The 5600 is usually preferable if it costs noticeably less, while the 5600X is only worth the extra money when the price difference is small. You won’t need an expensive motherboard for either chip.
That’s close to what I was considering. I mainly need something reliable enough for the 2070 Super without spending much on a platform I’ll eventually replace with AM5. How did the 5600X and 2070 Super combination work for you?