Feeling a bit uncertain about pairing a B350m with a Ryzen 3600?
Feeling a bit uncertain about pairing a B350m with a Ryzen 3600?
Hi everyone, I’m thinking about upgrading my CPU and wondering if it’s a good idea. Here’s what I have right now: an MSI B350M with a Bazooka Ryzen 5 1400, RX 580 graphics, 4GB RAM, 16GB storage, an Evga 650W G2 PSU. I’m okay with staying in my current setup for a while. I was planning to move to a Ryzen 5 2600 but found the Ryzen 3 3600 available on Amazon and decided to go with it instead. The CPU is listed as compatible, and I recently updated my BIOS to the latest stable version.
I have a few questions: Should I just install it and see if it works? Do I need to reinstall Windows? It comes with the Wraith Stealth Cooler—how noisy is that? I’m using an Arctic Freezer 13 CO, which is quiet, so I really want something silent. Is this cooler suitable, or should I look at alternatives? Could there be a performance bottleneck with my GPU? My monitor is 1440p at 144Hz. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
You must install the beta BIOS for that motherboard. MSI provides a dedicated page for beta revisions: https://www.msi.com/blog/the-latest-bios...otherboard. This isn't the most recent stable version, so I advise against updating unless you own the CPU.
I'm using a Ryzen 5 3600 on an Asus ROG Strix B350-F. Everything works fine except for the fact that after upgrading, I've had to reinstall Windows five times—probably because I was being careless.
You're considering a few options for upgrading your system. It's understandable to be cautious about adding new components, especially when you're unsure about compatibility or stability. The beta BIOS versions for the 3000 series are indeed newer and may behave differently from the stable releases. Updating to the latest stable seems safe, but testing in a controlled environment is wise. Your concern about the fan fit is valid—making sure it matches your cooler's design is important. Overall, staying informed about BIOS updates and testing changes can help you make a confident decision.
You're in the US, and with a $250 budget this year, you might expect it to increase next year. The budget may shift based on available resources.
The upcoming version of this bios is expected to be stable. There’s no indication it will be dropped for older boards. For the CPU upgrade, you should update your mobos BIOS with your 1400 chip before switching, or install the new CPU and then update. Running benchmarks can help assess stability. Those tools like Cinebench and Prime95 are typically recommended for general use, not just high-end systems. I noticed the 3600 and beta bios might perform similarly to a 2600 in terms of stability. Your concern about the Ryzen 5 2600 is understandable—it looks comparable in price to the 3600.
I don't think MSI intends to keep extending "stable" BIOS versions for 3000 series support on 300 series chipsets. You'll need to install the 1400 for updates, as the 3600 isn't ready yet. These are suitable for all devices, but version 95 feels too forced for my preferences and cinebench works better for quick checks. If your gameplay runs smoothly in the games you play, stability is enough. I still recommend the 3600 regardless.
Thanks for the feedback. Regarding chipset drivers, it depends on whether the new CPU requires any changes. Check the manufacturer’s website or your PC manufacturer’s support page for updates related to the CPU installation. If you find a compatible driver, you can usually install it alongside the CPU update. Don’t worry about it being simple—just confirm with the official sources.