What are the best motherboard and CPU choices?
What are the best motherboard and CPU choices?
Someone has a good idea for a decent AM5 motherboard and CPU. I’m mainly looking for something solid enough for basic tasks but with enough power to handle a few games later. So far I’ve considered these options...
There are only a handful of motherboard makers remaining. Each has occasional problems. ASRock began as a cheaper ASUS brand but has separated quite some time ago. Their items are still okay. ASUS is the latest to face a major issue (backwards capacitors), though I usually steer clear now since they often cost more than rivals and sometimes lag behind during restocks. My most recent boards include ASRock, my previous one was Gigabyte, and back when ASUS was popular, nearly all my boards were well regarded. I haven’t owned an MSI board since the days of single-core models, but I still suggest them.
Low-end GPUs these days are 4-6GB. An RX6600 with 8GB is the bare minimum you’d buy. An RTX 3050 with 6GB offers solid low-power upgrades for systems with small power supplies. 32GB of RAM is enough for everyday use and games. A 750W power supply can handle quite large GPUs, up to mid-range cards. For an RTX 3050 with 6GB, even 550W is excessive but remains the smallest you can get in a modern desktop.
What are your priorities? Do you require any extra accessories?
Welcome to the forums, newcomer! The ideas I have in mind so far are the following... GPU: 4gb or 6gb RAM: 32gb or 64gb or 48gb HDD: 1tb m2 PSU: 750w Please clarify the brands and models of these components. Additionally, where are you located? What is your budget for a motherboard? Which online store do you prefer for purchases? These are common questions here; *How to Ask for New Build or Upgrade Advice* How to Ask for New Build or Upgrade Advice First, it’s important to show respect for the rules—this adaptation comes from the Animal's *How To Ask For New Build Advice* Sticky. I made it because many people here and on CPU forums are seeking upgrade advice, and I believe... forums. It would be helpful if your thread included relevant details so users can offer the best guidance for your project. What features are you aiming for in your motherboard? Good audio, compact design, more storage options later? Sharing all the apps or tasks you plan to run with your build will be very useful. If your build doesn’t require high power consumption, a 650W or lower PSU should suffice, as long as it’s well-built.
In real use I’d likely replace the Micro ATX board with an ATX model or opt for a Micro ATX case to reduce size.
PCPartPicker List
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 7600X 4.7 GHz 6-Core Processor
Price: $199.99 (Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Assassin X 120 Refined SE 66.17 CFM
Price: $17.89 (Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock B650M Pro RS WiFi Micro ATX AM5
Price: $139.99 (Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Flare X5 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30
Price: $95.99 (Newegg)
Storage: TEAMGROUP MP44L 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME SSD
Price: $54.99 (Amazon)
Video Card: ASRock Challenger D Radeon RX 6600 8 GB
Price: $189.99 (Newegg)
Case: Zalman S2 ATX Mid Tower Case
Price: $48.90 (Newegg Sellers)
Power Supply: MSI MAG A650GL 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular
Price: $79.48 (Amazon)
Grand Total: $827.22
All prices contain shipping, taxes, and applicable discounts
Thanks for the responses.
I agree with your assessment regarding the motherboard reviews. I plan to assemble it myself and avoid overclocking, which should help prevent major problems.
I’m considering the MSi Tomahawk B650 motherboard, and the feedback about it is generally positive.
The initial part I want to buy is memory, but it will vary depending on the CPU I select.
My budget is around $600, and I have some old game consoles that I plan to sell to reach closer to $900.
I’d like to play Football Manager and possibly a flight simulator, though my attention span for games is short—after about two weeks I’ll likely revert to using it for YouTube, shopping, and website design.
The ASRock Challenger GPU you mentioned seems like a solid value, though I’m curious if it’s only compatible with ASRock motherboards.
I’ll keep the monitor for last, aiming to finalize the engine room before making any decisions.
Component brand is irrelevant for compatibility. All discrete GPUs and most other parts work via the PCI Express standard. You’re free to combine Intel, AMD, Nvidia from different manufacturers. The key factors are CPU and motherboard fit, which must match exactly. CPU cooler compatibility is also crucial, even though many are built for recent sockets.
The newest MS Flight Simulator 2024 recommends a more capable GPU. The RX6600 is the bare minimum. The next generation will cost around $100, the RX 7600 about $55 more, offering a slight improvement. Options include RX 6750 XT, RX 7600, and RTX 4060.
most motherboard manufacturers perform well. (the criticism comes from those who favor one brand over another.) ideally you wish to steer clear of "A series" boards since they often have only two ram slots and just one nvme port, which isn't ideal for gaming.
motherboard= b650 amd.
cpu= ryzen 5 7500f/7600/7700.
cpu cooler== 240/360 aio recommended (but a standard cooler is acceptable).
gpu. nvidia 3060 12gb or higher. .. amd 5700xt 8gb or higher.
memory= 2x16gb ddr5 6000mts or higher (cl30 or cl32 recommended)
hard drive = 1-2tb nvme.. (or 1-2 tb ssd if speed isn't a priority)
case== user preference.
Yes, CL30 could be the CAS. The reference 'CAS 30-36-36-76' matches the CAS number for CL30.