Top CPU options that don’t require a power switch
Top CPU options that don’t require a power switch
For your MSI B540 gaming plus Max board, the top choice would be a high-performance CPU like the Intel i5-13400F or AMD Ryzen 5 5600X. These offer great value and compatibility without requiring a new motherboard upgrade.
For gaming performance it will require 5800X3D while you'll need to upgrade your BIOS. For productivity, it should be 5950x but you must still update your BIOS regardless of whether your motherboard is a B550 or B450. Even a B550 won't have been updated yet, so the impact won't be significant. They will have to make the BIOS updates anyway.
4K performance isn't a big deal with the Ryzen 7 5700X. It handles the heat just fine like the 3600X, and it's significantly more affordable compared to the 5800X3D. The differences at 4K are pretty small.
The Hyper 212 Evo would likely not perform well; consider upgrading your CPU cooler instead.