Dead B450 Motherboard: Is it finally time to ditch AM4/DDR4 for an RTX 5070 Ti build?
Posted by akshaysura@reddit | buildapc | View on Reddit | 9 comments
Hey everyone,
My MSI B450 Tomahawk just died, and I’m at a crossroads. I’ve been running a Ryzen 5 3600X with 32GB of 3000Mhz DDR4, but I recently upgraded my GPU to an Aorus Master RTX 5070 Ti.
I need to get my PC back up and running, and I’m trying to decide if I should just find a cheap replacement AM4 board or bite the bullet and upgrade the whole core (CPU/Mobo/RAM) now.
My Goals:
- Games: I really want to play Crimson Desert on the best possible settings at 1440p. I’m also looking ahead to GTA 6 whenever it finally hits PC.
- Target: I’m not a competitive gamer. I just want a smooth, beautiful 60–100 FPS experience at 1440p.
- The "Future-Proof" Factor: I don't want to buy a motherboard now only to feel like I need to trash the whole platform again in 2 years.
The Upgrade Plan I'm Considering:
- CPU: Ryzen 7 9700X (Zen 5)
- Mobo: MSI X870E Gaming Plus
- RAM: 32GB XPG Lancer Blade RGB (DDR5)
- PSU: Staying with my Gigabyte 1000W (should be plenty).
The Question: Is the jump from a 3600X to a 9700X worth it for 1440p "Ultra" gaming, or is the 3600X still "fine" and I should just buy a $80 B450/B550 board to save money? My RAM is only 3000Mhz, which feels like it might hold back the 5070 Ti.
Would you guys pull the trigger on the AM5/DDR5 upgrade now, or wait? Any better suggestions for the CPU/Mobo combo?
Budget: Whatever is sufficient
Currency: Rupees or Dollars
Country India
VoidNinja62@reddit
AM5 is not going to help you properly mount a GPU.
If you have to use a support bracket or PCI-riser or anything else, that is kind of a "you" problem.
Even just a plastic PCIe slot should be acceptable just use a support bracket before using the PC in vertical orientation. What am I missing.
You're just going to have the same problem with a cheap AM5 board.
There is nothing wrong with Gigabyte B450M boards.
ah__there_is_another@reddit
Hey, I was facing the same decision recently and eventually went for AM5. If you need to spend money, may as well spend it on something with a future. Otherwise in two years time you may need to upgrade again anyway, finding yourself spending twice. The cost per year is likely to be in favour of AM5 since that mobo can host at least another generation. Plus, you have a beast of a GPU so may as well get a system that actually uses it to the fullest.
AntMiserable6610@reddit
Just get a replacement am4 atx motherboard. Everything else still works and its best to squeeze out all you can on current components. Upgrades can wait if its not the whole pc dead.
TooBarFoo@reddit
Thats crazy right now, Just get another AM4 motherboard. Down the line upgrade your CPU. Just buy some right angled SATA cables if you need them but I think you are just building it wrong. Make sure the GPU is the final part of your build. If your GPU is stopping you using the standoffs you have your build order wrong. Standoffs should be in place before the GPU comes out the box.
akshaysura@reddit (OP)
I believe, I know what I am doing. GPU is placed lasted. putting too much pressure to get it seated properly is just bending the motherboard. The case, usb, audio, power pins all comes under the Aorus Master GPU and does let the GPU go in.. I even tried unplugging all the cabinet cables(I will use a screw drive to start the pc(for experiment) and plug in the SATA for OS and use a right angle sata cable itstill does not let the GPU get in the slot properly. The cheap mobo GIGABYTE B450M DS3H V2 sucks. although I am currently using it with my ex GPU GTX 16050 TI. Works fine with a smaller GPU.
Big-Passage9824@reddit
If your budget allows, id say upgrade to AM5. If im being honest, the 3600 hasn't aged all that great. Its definitely still viable, but even the 5000 series ryzens saw a significant upgrade from the 3000. I had alot of stutter and frame drops in games I played with the 3700x. My wife had a 3600x until very recently and got her a 7800x3d bundle that was on sale. Its a drastic improvement for her.
Sell the 3600 and ddr4 (the ram can fetch a decent used price these days too).
Again, if budget allows. There has been some good bundles the last couple of months.
Born_Bad_1294@reddit
Just get a new mobo like the MSI B550M PRO VDH WIFI. No need for a new CPU, at 1440p GPU does the heavy work.
Also your 3000Mhz isn't holding back your GPU.
Just a new mobo and you will be done
akshaysura@reddit (OP)
So umm.. Kind of embarrassed to say I bought a GIGABYTE B450M DS3H V2 before, and I don't know this issue is with all M ATX models or just this one. The GPU is so fucking thick that I am not able to use the pins for cabinet and umm the SATA pins too. Now I have 2 motherboards one is dead and the other is useless for me. The Auros Master 5070 TI is so thick!!!!
Born_Bad_1294@reddit
Then you can take a look at some ATX mobos like the Asus TUF GAMING B550-PLUS WIFI II ATX AM4 Motherboard or MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK MAX WIFI ATX AM4 Motherboard.
I would recommend the MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk