Upgrade CPU, Mobile, or RAM components.
Upgrade CPU, Mobile, or RAM components.
Budget sits near 450 euros. PC requirements are about gaming, and I already own a GTX 1060 with 6GB RAM. I’m considering an i5-10400F, but I’m unsure if upgrading to a Z490 with faster RAM and more memory is worthwhile, or if a cheaper B460 board would suffice.
There are benchmarks indicating z490 offers better performance with faster RAM, but only you can decide the balance between cost and speed. Intel Core i5-10400 versus AMD Ryzen 5 3600 (techspot.com) suggests that choosing z490 gives you the chance to upgrade to an 11th gen K CPU later, though this isn't ideal if you're not planning that path.
Budget and Z490 don't always match well, but I’d probably pick the MSI MPG Z490 GAMING PLUS ATX board. It fits my requirements perfectly—10th Gen Intel Core, LGA 1200 socket, DDR4 support, dual M.2 slots, USB 3.2 Gen 2, 2.5G LAN, DP/HDMI, RGB lighting. It offers two M2 slots, USB-C front port, ample USB ports, and solid VRM design. At around $160, it’s a solid choice without sacrificing performance or style. I don’t think another board under that price is as appealing, though my priorities might differ.
Also consider the Asus Z490-P or Asus PRIME Z490M-PLUS. I could easily find the one you mentioned, but it's currently unavailable in stock here.
I’d pick the Z490-P. The Asus TUF Z490 and Gigabyte Z490 Aorus Elite are typically available for around $160. You’d only justify spending more if you plan to add a K chip and overclock it. For simply boosting RAM speed, a more affordable board works just fine without worrying too much about the VRM or PCB thickness.
They're available but the Asus TUF model is priced at 187 and the 1GB is 197 euros. It's really confusing with all these options.
Consider upgrading to a B460 board and 2666MHz RAM now. The i5-10400 will still perform well, but a K version or newer platform would be more beneficial later. For better performance and flexibility, opt for B460 or Z490 with a K version, or choose an AMD option that avoids speed restrictions.
I don’t want to move from Intel just because of fanboy culture—I’m not sure about that. AMD CPUs have definitely gotten better over time. For Ryzen builds, what would you suggest?