Purchase AMD Ryzen 7 3700X now or hold off for Intel updates
Purchase AMD Ryzen 7 3700X now or hold off for Intel updates
A solid choice would be the ASUS ROG Strix B450. It fits well with your RX 3700X and V-3800X. If you're open to alternatives, the ASUS ROG Strix B450 B550 also works nicely. Regarding your RGB setup, it depends on the specific RGB controller and driver you use—different brands can affect color accuracy and performance. Make sure your motherboard and drivers support the RGB settings you want.
Intel continues to release similar CPUs under various names. Right now, they don’t have a brand-new manufacturing process (like 10nm instead of the older 14nm+), and they’re only offering a handful of 10nm models for high-end laptops. This situation is expected to stay stable for at least another couple of years. Intel really needs a major redesign of its architecture, especially because current security flaws require constant patches that affect performance. It seems they won’t achieve this until some revolutionary changes around 2022-2023, possibly involving the work of Jim Keller, the architect behind AMD’s Ryzen series. Until then, they’re likely conserving resources for that future. The new design might introduce big shifts such as 3D stacking, but it’s still a distant prospect. In the meantime, AMD remains the stronger choice, so consider your options carefully. A better question would have been whether to buy a 3700 now or wait for the Ryzen 4000. For value, MSI MAX boards work with Ryzen 3000 and are readily available for $90–115. The B450 Tomahawk MAX is highly recommended because of its extra features, while the B450 Gaming Plus MAX and B450 A-Pro MAX also perform well with upgrades. The “MAX” label indicates these chips are pre-optimized for Ryzen 3000. For those on a budget, sticking to these options makes sense. If you’re looking for a solid upgrade, the recommended kits include the DRAM options listed above, which let you easily expand your system and handle newer stock CPUs like the 3900X or 3950X with good airflow in a well-designed case.
Wait until the fourth generation. Your Haswell i7 will last a bit longer. Avoid moving to Ryzen 3000 unless you plan to upgrade to the next generation next year. That’s a poor use of funds and goes against your past purchasing patterns (you’re still on Haswell). When the fourth gen arrives, grab what you can afford now and keep it for several years. That’s my approach.
If you're aiming for next-gen performance, consider purchasing an upgraded X570 board within your budget and opting for a Ryzen 5 3600 (or X). The 3600 delivers similar results in gaming, making it a smart choice while you wait for Zen 3 updates. For the best value, the X570 Tuf Gaming Plus stands out as a solid investment. A version with Wi-Fi is also available.
I generally concur. Honestly, a more powerful cooler could make sense as an investment. You might even consider going beyond the i7’s current overclock limit.
Your Nokia N9 (NH12) might be the issue, as it supports up to 4.5 GHz but could have compatibility problems with newer motherboards like the Gigabyte Z97P-D3.