Is my current motherboard going to bottleneck my PC's performance if I upgrade my CPU and GPU?
Posted by Help_An_Irishman@reddit | buildapc | View on Reddit | 19 comments
Thank you for reading! To get right to the parts I'm looking at, below is a PCPartPicker list that includes several components which I'm already using from a 2020 build, with only the CPU and GPU replaced with newer, current-gen items:
[PCPartPicker Part List](https://pcpartpicker.com/list/YvJnKq)
Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [AMD Ryzen 9 3900X 3.8 GHz 12-Core Processor](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/tLCD4D/amd-ryzen-9-3900x-36-ghz-12-core-processor-100-100000023box) | $350.00 @ Amazon
**Motherboard** | [Asus TUF GAMING X570-PLUS (WI-FI) ATX AM4 Motherboard](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/dmGnTW/asus-tuf-gaming-x570-plus-wi-fi-atx-am4-motherboard-tuf-gaming-x570-plus-wi-fi) | $365.20 @ Amazon
**Memory** | [G.Skill Trident Z Neo 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3600 CL16 Memory](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/w3FKHx/gskill-trident-z-neo-32-gb-2-x-16-gb-ddr4-3600-cl16-memory-f4-3600c16d-32gtznc) | $82.99 @ Amazon
**Storage** | [Crucial MX500 1 TB 2.5" Solid State Drive](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/h3tQzy/crucial-mx500-1tb-25-solid-state-drive-ct1000mx500ssd1) | $92.39 @ Amazon
**Video Card** | [Sapphire PULSE Radeon RX 9070 XT 16 GB Video Card](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/Bvjv6h/sapphire-pulse-radeon-rx-9070-xt-16-gb-video-card-11348-03-20g) | $892.98 @ Newegg
**Case** | [Corsair Carbide Series Air 540 ATX Mid Tower Case](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/wgkD4D/corsair-case-air540) |-
**Power Supply** | [Corsair HX850 850 W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/WxfxFT/corsair-hx850-850-w-80-platinum-certified-fully-modular-atx-power-supply-cp-9020213-na) |-
| *Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts* |
| **Total** | **$1783.56**
| Generated by [PCPartPicker](https://pcpartpicker.com) 2025-04-26 01:24 EDT-0400 |
I'm replacing the following parts, which are installed in the PC I'm typing this on:
AMD Ryzen 7 3700X 3.6 GHz 8-Core Processor
PowerColor Red Devil Radeon RX 5700 XT 8 GB Video Card
Thankfully, it looks like the new GPU I'm looking at will fit inside my boxy old Corsair case, which was a concern, so I can mostly get by just upgrading these two major components, buuuut I don't know enough about MOBOs to know how much this older board is going to bottleneck the performance of a new CPU and GPU, which is why I'm here asking you fine folks.
When I started entertaining the idea of an upgrade, I figured I'd switch over to NVIDIA for the first time in ages, which would of course mean getting a new MOBO and compatible a CPU and GPU, but I imagine I'd be looking at quite a hefty price tag in doing so (and apparently newer AMD cards feature ray tracing, so I can actually play this new Indiana Jones game).
So what do y'all think? Should I be upgrading my motherboard in addition to the two components above, or will my TUF GAMING X570-PLUS run modern games smoothly with the Ryzen 9 3900X and Sapphire PULSE Radeon RX 9070 XT?
If I should be looking at a new motherboard, any suggestions?
I'm hoping to get strong performance out of new games at at least 1440p, and hopefully future-proof my system for a few years.
Thank you so much for any input here!
Antenoralol@reddit
No your motherboard won't "bottleneck" your performance.
That motherboard has more than enough of a VRM to handle any AM4 CPU.
Help_An_Irishman@reddit (OP)
Thank you! I obviously don't know enough about these things, but it's great news that I don't have to replace it.
OolonCaluphid@reddit
The 3900X isn't really a worthwhile/noticeable upgrade over the 3700X for gaming. It's not worth spending money on unless you get one super cheap or free at this point. The 5800X3D would be the best gaming option on that motherboard.
Your motherboard won't restrict performance within the realms of AM4 compatible cpus and ram.
Help_An_Irishman@reddit (OP)
Thank you so much! Man, this community is quick and helpful. Yes, I was outdated in my series of CPUs. I'll plan to pick up the 5700X3D as the 5800 kicks the price up quite a bit.
Any chance I can remove and reuse the stock cooler that came with my 3700X, or is that a terrible idea? Would a new cooler be a standard purchase here?
NilsTillander@reddit
It should be trivial to reuse the cooler, you just need some fresh thermal paste (DO NOT BUY LIQUID METAL).
On the other hand, you could benefit from a better cooler, maybe. The Thermaltake Phantom Spirit 120 is the typical recommendation.
Help_An_Irishman@reddit (OP)
Thank you! Yeah, just after posting this, I looked into things a bit, and it's a small purchase so I'm planning to just get a new one, and the one you mentioned is what I had my eye on (specifically, this guy, since the 15-year-old rave kid ca. 2000 in me likes the colors).
My only concern now is whether this cooler will clear the RAM sticks that I have, as that's something that PCPartPicker doesn't factor into its compatibility scan.
Since it's such a popular cooler, I'm assuming it'll clear?
Thanks again!
OolonCaluphid@reddit
Current cooler is fine. The X3D chips are not power hungry or hot running.
Alternative-Sky-1552@reddit
They are not power hungry but they are hot running except for 9000 series. The one prior had cache working as an insulator. But its preferable to just let them run hotter than to try combat it.
Help_An_Irishman@reddit (OP)
Thank you! If I decide to do that, do I need to get some kind of solvent to pry the cooler off of the old (current) processor? I always get anxious with these delicate items. Putting my first PC together many years ago felt like defusing a bomb at times.
OolonCaluphid@reddit
They can be tricky. Best option is to run cinebench for a few minutes to get the cpu toasty, then quickly power down the pc, unplug it and twist off the cooler. The twist should break the thermal paste stiction. Pulling upwards often pulls the cpu out of the socket. If that happened it's not a disaster you'll just need to carefully use a pocket knife blade or similar to pry the cooler off the CPU.
NilsTillander@reddit
The position of the cooler fans is flexible. For some RAM, you need to lift the fans a bit, for some really high ones, you can move the second fan to the other side (towards the back of the case). Just be careful with the direction of flow. In any case, easy peasy.
ripsql@reddit
… why a 3900x???? You want 5700x3d! Update bios and install 5700x3d and that is the second best cpu for am4.
Help_An_Irishman@reddit (OP)
Thank you!! This seems to be the consensus. I haven't been keeping up with things. I updated the list accordingly.
The BIOS update should be no problem, just an extra step in the process, correct?
OolonCaluphid@reddit
Do the bios update now, before removing the current CPU. It's just easier. It'll still work it will just be prepped for the new CPU.
Help_An_Irishman@reddit (OP)
Will do. Thank you!
nickw1372@reddit
its a pretty simple process id recommend watching a guide if you not sure though.
iEnder_@reddit
Skip the 3900x, outdated chip. Get the 5700x3D and ur good to go
Help_An_Irishman@reddit (OP)
Thank you! Will be doing that for sure. My concern now is whether the motherboard will cut it.
KING_of_Trainers69@reddit
Why upgrade from a 3700X to a 3900X?
For pure gaming performance the 5700X3D is the best CPU, but the prices aren't great, followed by the 5700X, which is pretty cheap.
If you're keeping your board go with either of these for pure gaming. There will be some elements of a bottleneck, but it won't be the end of the world.
If you need something faster still then you'll need to get a new mobo+RAM.