F5F Stay Refreshed Hardware Desktop Comparing the A520 with the X570 helps determine if the upgrade is beneficial.

Comparing the A520 with the X570 helps determine if the upgrade is beneficial.

Comparing the A520 with the X570 helps determine if the upgrade is beneficial.

K
Keanei
Member
103
07-24-2022, 04:15 AM
#1
Hey everyone, how are you all? I just upgraded my PC with a Ryzen 5800X3D and started thinking about improving my motherboard to unlock new capabilities. My current board is an A520 Aorus Elite, which is quite basic—no PCIe 4.0, no USB-C, no Curve Optimizer, and it doesn’t provide strong power delivery for the CPU. I’m looking into upgrading to something like a X570 or B550 to get those features, but I’m still unsure if it’s worth it. The idea of switching to an AM4 platform feels risky since that platform is outdated. I’ve heard second-hand options like a ROG Crosshair VIII or a new Asus TUF could work for the same price, but I’d love some advice before making a decision. What do you all think? Should I stick with the A520 or explore other options?
K
Keanei
07-24-2022, 04:15 AM #1

Hey everyone, how are you all? I just upgraded my PC with a Ryzen 5800X3D and started thinking about improving my motherboard to unlock new capabilities. My current board is an A520 Aorus Elite, which is quite basic—no PCIe 4.0, no USB-C, no Curve Optimizer, and it doesn’t provide strong power delivery for the CPU. I’m looking into upgrading to something like a X570 or B550 to get those features, but I’m still unsure if it’s worth it. The idea of switching to an AM4 platform feels risky since that platform is outdated. I’ve heard second-hand options like a ROG Crosshair VIII or a new Asus TUF could work for the same price, but I’d love some advice before making a decision. What do you all think? Should I stick with the A520 or explore other options?

Z
zFenix045_
Member
126
07-24-2022, 12:55 PM
#2
It depends on the timing of your upgrade plans... Replacing the board isn't ideal, but since you mentioned your PC will feel more balanced, I wouldn't bother with a X570. A decent B550 model like Aorus Elite should handle your needs.
Z
zFenix045_
07-24-2022, 12:55 PM #2

It depends on the timing of your upgrade plans... Replacing the board isn't ideal, but since you mentioned your PC will feel more balanced, I wouldn't bother with a X570. A decent B550 model like Aorus Elite should handle your needs.

G
Gerard1306
Junior Member
20
07-24-2022, 01:10 PM
#3
PCIe Gen4 isn't very useful unless you have a 4090 or a poor 6500x. The price of a used crosshair under $150 is a bad deal, likely you'll find a better option with an older board like a B550 or B450. Your board looks similar to a B550 gaming model, so if you want to keep it, consider flashing the BIOS with a ch341a, or use a hot air gun to desolder and re-solder it.
G
Gerard1306
07-24-2022, 01:10 PM #3

PCIe Gen4 isn't very useful unless you have a 4090 or a poor 6500x. The price of a used crosshair under $150 is a bad deal, likely you'll find a better option with an older board like a B550 or B450. Your board looks similar to a B550 gaming model, so if you want to keep it, consider flashing the BIOS with a ch341a, or use a hot air gun to desolder and re-solder it.

M
Meskyorus
Junior Member
40
07-30-2022, 06:46 AM
#4
Do you actually need PCIe gen 4 support? What GPU and NVMe SSDs are you running? Do you have a use for USB-C in mind? In my opinion, if it ain't broke don't fix it. So unless you're having an issue with your board, or your running a GPU that is seriously bottlenecked by PCIe gen 3, or you really need to add USB 4 functionality, I'd stick with your current board.
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Meskyorus
07-30-2022, 06:46 AM #4

Do you actually need PCIe gen 4 support? What GPU and NVMe SSDs are you running? Do you have a use for USB-C in mind? In my opinion, if it ain't broke don't fix it. So unless you're having an issue with your board, or your running a GPU that is seriously bottlenecked by PCIe gen 3, or you really need to add USB 4 functionality, I'd stick with your current board.

V
VTx_Tays
Member
56
07-31-2022, 10:41 AM
#5
I'm using a 4080 and have an XPG S70 Blade NVMe. USB-C would be great but not essential. Pricing comparisons are tricky since I'm outside the US, though the X570 TUF is around 200 USD on Amazon, while a used Crosshair model I liked is about 150 USD.
V
VTx_Tays
07-31-2022, 10:41 AM #5

I'm using a 4080 and have an XPG S70 Blade NVMe. USB-C would be great but not essential. Pricing comparisons are tricky since I'm outside the US, though the X570 TUF is around 200 USD on Amazon, while a used Crosshair model I liked is about 150 USD.

S
seishi_no_kami
Member
142
08-04-2022, 06:39 AM
#6
Really, why spend so much on a crosshair when you can upgrade your A520? You might hear about BCLK on X570 NVMe drives, but it doesn’t change much if you’re just using NVMe and PCIe Gen4. Probably around 105 dollars is a safe estimate.
S
seishi_no_kami
08-04-2022, 06:39 AM #6

Really, why spend so much on a crosshair when you can upgrade your A520? You might hear about BCLK on X570 NVMe drives, but it doesn’t change much if you’re just using NVMe and PCIe Gen4. Probably around 105 dollars is a safe estimate.