Hey everyone! I'm planning to upgrade my CPU and motherboard soon. Currently, I've got an MSI Tomahawk B450 board with a Ryzen 5 3600 CPU. I'm looking to upgrade to an MSI Tomahawk B650 and a Ryzen 7 9700X. Since I haven't made a major component change like this in the last six years (just upgraded my GPU and added an HDD), I'm a bit nervous. Are there any potential issues I should be aware of, like operating system problems, blue screens, or memory issues? Thanks a lot for your help!
6 Answers
Make sure you mention which RAM you’re planning to use with the new setup! Just as a heads up.
Consider that you might need a new power supply too, especially if it's been a while. Generally, PSUs last 5-10 years. Just stay cautious, and you should be alright!
When switching to a new motherboard, I always recommend doing a fresh Windows install, but it's a bit of a mixed bag—some people think it's necessary while others don't. It's just good practice, and it might save you some headache later!
Totally agree! I usually reinstall too, but if I'm being honest, I've skipped it a few times out of laziness and managed just fine.
Heads up, your Windows 10 might get deactivated due to the hardware change unless you’re using a Microsoft account. If you stick to a local account, people say you might need to reactivate. Also, if you go for Windows 11, just ensure it's a genuine retail version to avoid hassles.
If you're looking for more longevity with your setup, think about opting for a B850 motherboard instead. It'll give you some extra future-proofing!
As long as your new motherboard’s BIOS supports your CPU, you should be fine. I’ve put my boot drive in a completely new machine before, and it worked perfectly without issues. Just double-check your compatibility and you're good to go!
Yeah, I saw that the MSI BIOS is pretty user-friendly, and my CPU is compatible as long as I update the BIOS.

I’ve got Corsair Vengeance 32GB DDR4 right now, plus some older 16GB sticks, so I’ll be using 48GB total.