#Upgrading an AM4 PC - looking for advice.

1 messages · Page 1 of 1 (latest)

rose silo
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Hey everyone,
I have a budget AM4 PC I've upgraded over the years. It’s running well, but I’m considering an upgrade.

Basic specs:

  • CPU, GPU: Ryzen 5 5600G, Radeon RX 6600
  • RAM: 2x8GB DDR4 3200
  • Motherboard: Gigabyte B450 Aorus Elite V2 (budget gaming motherboard)
  • PSU: Modular 650w

For context: my younger brother really wants a gaming PC. I want to sell my current PC to him without the GPU, PSU and drives.
I'd then replace the power supply to a lower-wattage one, add an M.2 drive, install Windows and call it a day. This also gives me the opportunity to get a new mbd with PCIe 4.0, which would benefit my GPU since my current motherboard only supports PCIe 3.0.

So what I'll be left with is:

  • The GPU: Radeon RX 6600
  • 650w psu + cables
  • My drives (1x M.2, 1x SSD, 1x HDD)

I’m not a hardcore gamer, but I do play some more demanding games occasionally. I also do python programming (data analysis, ML etc.), blender modelling, and I mess around in DAWs, all of which make 32GB of RAM justified imo.

I'm stuck at choosing between a more expensive AM4, and a basic AM5 build. I've considered Intel but I've been advised against it.
I have roughly 650$ for the case, CPU, RAM, motherboard and CPU cooling.

Note: I look both at price/performance and performance/watt. I prefer lower TDPs.

Here are the CPUs I've looked at:

AM4

  • Ryzen 5 5600x
  • Ryzen 7 5800x

AM5

  • Ryzen 5 7600
  • Ryzen 5 7600x
  • Ryzen 7 7500f

Intel

  • Intel Core i5-13400F

I know that my GPU will likely be a bottleneck in some scenarios, but I just don't feel like selling it at the moment.

I like to have decent I/O, that means USB3, USB-C and any other useful ports. Bonus points for good built-in WiFi.

In summary:

  • Do I future-proof with AM5 and DDR5, or build a decent AM4 PC? Maybe Intel?
  • What CPU+MBD combo should I go with?

If you have any questions, feel free to ask. Thanks in advance :)

winged mica
rose silo
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pretty cheap but works

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prices are ridiculous

winged mica
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as in gpu is what you will want to upgrade

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blender and amd gpu just cant be said in the same sentence

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the performance amd has in blender is just no

rose silo
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I don't really do stuff in blender a lot
It's not the best but it works
I also dualboot linux just in case, which does better with AMD

rose silo
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Should I?

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I won't get much out of it, it's like 200$ max

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Meanwhile brand new GPUs that are better can be twice that amount

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I wouldn't mind switching to nvidia though
In fact it's better at ML, blender

just more expensive

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I got the 6600 because it was the only GPU I could afford

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tbh a used RTX3060 is only 300PLN more

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and a 4060 is roughly 500PLN more
it may be worth it

dawn citrus
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@rose silo is that $650 in PLN or USD?

rose silo
rose silo
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it's 650$

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so x4

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roughly 2600pln

dawn citrus
# rose silo roughly 2600pln

I would go with AM5. Not so much to “future proof” although it’s a bonus, but because you will have access to DDR5 memory and even pcie 5.0

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Doesn’t sound like gaming is the biggest issue so stick with the 6600, get a nice 7600x and a MOBO of your choosing with your preferred ports. B650s are your best value

rose silo
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yeah, I was leaning more towards am5

prices are kinda high, though, so I'll wait for them to drop
it should take 2-3 months

rose silo
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if anyone knows if the wifi is good lmk

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I've heard it's usually not that great

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on any motherboard

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especially best value ones

dawn citrus
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The only way I’d suggest it is if you absolutely can’t connect directly (obviously)

rose silo
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also I asked a guy at a computer parts store about microATX

he told me I should go with ATX most of the times because of heat distribution

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is he right or is it not that big of a problem?

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my current motherboard is ATX

dawn citrus
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Not a big problem at all, provided you have decent cooling

rose silo
dawn citrus
rose silo
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ig decent thermal paste and cooling (+ bios setup)

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I made it so if it goes above 50°C the fans start spinning much faster

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and they're quiet, luckily

dawn citrus
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So to answer your question, the form factor is not an issue then

rose silo
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great

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thanks for helping me out

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:D

dawn citrus
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Hope you get what you can afford and enjoy the new computer! Hope your younger brother enjoys his new pc as well

rose silo