Upgrading for the future with Ryzen processors
Upgrading for the future with Ryzen processors
x570/x670 are expected to be the final chips for the AM4 socket unless they push beyond their original design. AM5 is likely to be the 5000 series unless they alter the naming conventions. AM5 will introduce DDR5, and possibly PCIE 5 if it remains a three to four-year chipset evolution. This transition is probably set for 2021/2022. If you’re purchasing Ryzen now, the 4000 series is probably the last generation available on the AM4 platform. Consider that fact and you won’t feel misled, since they confirmed 2020 was the final year for AM4 in their current roadmap.
Avoid betting too much on forward compatibility, you might end up unsatisfied. As mentioned before, AMD said they’d make AM4 work with newer devices by 2020, and we’re seeing that happen—thousands of chips are likely using updated connectors.
They're not planning to support the 5000 series CPUs, the 4000 line will be the final one. It seems AMD made a costly mistake—no one using B350, B450, X370, or X470 would switch to the 4000 because they’d need a new motherboard soon. Most likely, we’ll just hold off until the 5000 and DDR5 memory arrive, then upgrade to a completely different socket. For those buying the 4000 now, it’s a tough situation—you’ll have to buy a board that will quickly become outdated. That’s a really poor decision by AMD.
Ddr5 is launching and it means a completely different motherboard will be needed. I doubt x570 can handle Zen 4. It’s possible Ddr5 will arrive, but there are concerns. High core counts in Ryzen2 seem future-proof since they outperform current gaming consoles. That’s proven effective over the past five years. The problem lies in Intel’s poor performance record, making older CPUs still functional. I see it as an odd situation and aiming for a similar result is unlikely to succeed.
Looking ahead, the CPU landscape from the 2000s to 2015 was still developing slowly. Now, with Ryzen processors and PCIe Gen 4 becoming available, motherboards struggle to match the rapid advancements. DDR5 is on the horizon, and CPUs have advanced much faster—reducing manufacturing nodes from 14nm to 7nm in just three years, adding more capabilities and complex connections. This pace makes it hard for current boards to keep up. Generally, buying a board tailored to today’s chips can help you upgrade later, even if it isn’t completely future-proof.
I share your views on several aspects, as they seem quite reasonable. It’s interesting that AMD is launching a motherboard solely for their latest AM4 models. It might mean the 4000 series needs to be exceptionally impressive just to stay relevant in a year, especially since AMD regularly updates its CPUs and GPUs.