F5F Stay Refreshed Hardware Desktop Enhancing AMD CPU for Win11 support

Enhancing AMD CPU for Win11 support

Enhancing AMD CPU for Win11 support

K
kefkef5000
Member
102
06-25-2021, 10:50 AM
#1
I’m thinking about switching from Windows to Linux but don’t want to limit myself to devices that aren’t compatible with Windows 11. Right now I have just one Windows 10 license for my main machine, and my second computer is an HTPC running Linux. I’m not planning to buy a new PC because the cost of a mid-range GPU is still too high for me, and I’d like to keep using my current setup until the next generation release. My main PC has DDR5 RAM, a Ryzen 1700 Zen 1 core, and runs Windows 10 with a 65W TDP. The second machine has a 65W B450 motherboard with 16GB of RAM and an APU. I’m considering two paths:

Option #1 – Upgrade the older machine. I could install a Ryzen 3700X (Zen2) and boost performance by about 23%. I might end up getting a used or refurbished CPU. My motherboard already supports the CPU, but it’s an OEM BIOS and would cost a lot to replace. The new CPU isn’t cutting-edge yet.

Option #2 – Upgrade the HTPC. I could swap out the B450 for a B450G (Zen+), B4700G (Zen 2) or B5700G (Zen 3). This would give me a 40% speed boost and require a new Windows 10 license plus a motherboard swap. Since both devices fit in an ITX case, the work would be time-consuming, but the M2 chip is already under the motherboard, so I could also upgrade the storage drive to a faster NVMe option. The B350 can go up to Zen+ with the new BIOS.

Which direction feels more practical for my budget and timeline?
K
kefkef5000
06-25-2021, 10:50 AM #1

I’m thinking about switching from Windows to Linux but don’t want to limit myself to devices that aren’t compatible with Windows 11. Right now I have just one Windows 10 license for my main machine, and my second computer is an HTPC running Linux. I’m not planning to buy a new PC because the cost of a mid-range GPU is still too high for me, and I’d like to keep using my current setup until the next generation release. My main PC has DDR5 RAM, a Ryzen 1700 Zen 1 core, and runs Windows 10 with a 65W TDP. The second machine has a 65W B450 motherboard with 16GB of RAM and an APU. I’m considering two paths:

Option #1 – Upgrade the older machine. I could install a Ryzen 3700X (Zen2) and boost performance by about 23%. I might end up getting a used or refurbished CPU. My motherboard already supports the CPU, but it’s an OEM BIOS and would cost a lot to replace. The new CPU isn’t cutting-edge yet.

Option #2 – Upgrade the HTPC. I could swap out the B450 for a B450G (Zen+), B4700G (Zen 2) or B5700G (Zen 3). This would give me a 40% speed boost and require a new Windows 10 license plus a motherboard swap. Since both devices fit in an ITX case, the work would be time-consuming, but the M2 chip is already under the motherboard, so I could also upgrade the storage drive to a faster NVMe option. The B350 can go up to Zen+ with the new BIOS.

Which direction feels more practical for my budget and timeline?

N
nick20078
Member
68
06-25-2021, 06:02 PM
#2
Windows 10 remains compatible through 2025. That’s reassuring. Worrying about it three or more years ahead isn’t worth spending any money on preparing a PC for Windows 11. No need to splurge.
N
nick20078
06-25-2021, 06:02 PM #2

Windows 10 remains compatible through 2025. That’s reassuring. Worrying about it three or more years ahead isn’t worth spending any money on preparing a PC for Windows 11. No need to splurge.

T
TomBarty
Member
175
06-25-2021, 06:11 PM
#3
I’m open to offering you a fair deal if you decide to go with the B450 upgrade. My BNIB B450 mATX board is ready to work with you at a reasonable price.
T
TomBarty
06-25-2021, 06:11 PM #3

I’m open to offering you a fair deal if you decide to go with the B450 upgrade. My BNIB B450 mATX board is ready to work with you at a reasonable price.

C
carrotlove
Junior Member
33
06-25-2021, 11:47 PM
#4
Additionally, you're free to utilize Windows well past the restrictions Microsoft claims. You don't have to rely on a manufacturer's instructions.
C
carrotlove
06-25-2021, 11:47 PM #4

Additionally, you're free to utilize Windows well past the restrictions Microsoft claims. You don't have to rely on a manufacturer's instructions.

X
xStumpy
Member
50
06-26-2021, 07:16 AM
#5
This update brings a major improvement to my old machine. I can now upgrade my Ryzen 1700 to 5900x or 5800x at the regular price on my Fatal1ty AB350 Gaming-ITX/ac Asrock. The beta version was available: 7.20 [Beta] dated 2022/5/27. Two key points: it supports Renoir, Vermeer, and Cezanne CPUs, and it removes support for the Bristol Ridge CPU from AMD A-series and Athlon X4 series.
X
xStumpy
06-26-2021, 07:16 AM #5

This update brings a major improvement to my old machine. I can now upgrade my Ryzen 1700 to 5900x or 5800x at the regular price on my Fatal1ty AB350 Gaming-ITX/ac Asrock. The beta version was available: 7.20 [Beta] dated 2022/5/27. Two key points: it supports Renoir, Vermeer, and Cezanne CPUs, and it removes support for the Bristol Ridge CPU from AMD A-series and Athlon X4 series.

P
Purointernet
Member
100
06-26-2021, 12:28 PM
#6
I just finished the first stage of the upgrade. Swapped my old M2 SATA SSD for a Crucial P2 NVMe 2TB drive. The M2 chip sits under the motherboard, so I had to dismantle the whole system. Updated the BIOS to version 1.2.0.7 from the AGESA COMBO PI. Installed a Ryzen 5900X with a slim Phanteks PH-TC12LS cooler—the case is compact, which is perfect for this setup. Also performed a complete Windows 10 reinstall. Interestingly, I was still using my 2013 Windows 8.1 product key. Bonus: before the update, my RAM had memory issues and ran below its XMP limits; now it’s back to the 3200 MHz XMP setting.
P
Purointernet
06-26-2021, 12:28 PM #6

I just finished the first stage of the upgrade. Swapped my old M2 SATA SSD for a Crucial P2 NVMe 2TB drive. The M2 chip sits under the motherboard, so I had to dismantle the whole system. Updated the BIOS to version 1.2.0.7 from the AGESA COMBO PI. Installed a Ryzen 5900X with a slim Phanteks PH-TC12LS cooler—the case is compact, which is perfect for this setup. Also performed a complete Windows 10 reinstall. Interestingly, I was still using my 2013 Windows 8.1 product key. Bonus: before the update, my RAM had memory issues and ran below its XMP limits; now it’s back to the 3200 MHz XMP setting.