x570 vs b450
x570 vs b450
Hello everyone, I'm planning to upgrade my CPU and RAM. I'm seeking guidance on selecting the right motherboard. I considered purchasing the Gygabite Aorus Elite x570 because I've heard Ryzen processors work best with this board. Another reason is its PCIe 4.0 support for future GPU upgrades. In contrast, the B450 boards are significantly cheaper. Would spending an extra 100€ be worthwhile for better upgrade potential and improved CPU performance? Also, I read that 3600MHz RAM is ideal for the new Ryzen chips. I'm currently looking at a 16GB 3600MHz Cl16 and wondering if switching to 3200MHz Cl16 would hurt performance. My intended CPU is likely the Ryzen 5 3600, possibly a 3600X depending on my needs for Borderlands 3. I understand there aren't major performance gains. The PC will mainly be used for gaming and some CAD tasks. Appreciate your advice from Germany, DaYn95
If PCIE4 isn't required, you can omit the x570. The B450 Tomohawk Max appears to offer the best value for B450 boards right now. Strong VRM and flashback capabilities allow BIOS updates without a CPU if needed. You should be able to install 3600 RAM to ensure compatibility. I own a B350 with an R5 3600 that has 3600mhz RAM installed.
You're welcome! PCIe 4.0 is indeed used by some M.2 SSDs and possibly future GPUs. That's correct.
Those are the two main applications right now. PCIe3 handles all modern GPUs well for gaming, and M.2 storage is quick enough that speed differences between 3 and 4 aren’t noticeable unless you’re testing performance or moving huge files. Upgrading for future-proofing makes sense, but in my view, the current benefits of PCIe4 don’t justify it.
It depends on your needs—switching to 3200Mhz CL16 might not cause a big drop in performance, but it could affect speed. Sticking with 3600Mhz CL16 RAM is usually safer if you want consistent results.
Thanks for the feedback! It really helped. I’m only having DDR3 RAM now, so upgrading to 3600 would cost a lot more than it’s worth.
Take a look at the clip below. The change isn't too big. Ultimately, it depends on what you think matters.
Only when production tasks require handling data transfer or pasting large files does SATA III SSDs shine—compared to traditional HDDs. Another perspective is building an ITX system with the x470 (I believe it's the x470 model) rather than the x450; these components are priced similarly to top x570 ITX boards, which offer excellent power delivery units.
In terms of value, a B450 model is best found at MSI Tomahawk or ASRock B450 Pro4/B450m Pro4 (M-ATX variant). Several options exist, with ASRock often being more affordable and offering a solid feature set. VRMs are comparable, and the boards can support all 3000-series chips. Overclocking is feasible up to PBO+Auto OC for 3700/3800x, though manual overclocks around 1.325V tend to run cooler with less power draw on Ryzen 3000 processors.
For mid-range builds, a B450 from MSI or ASRock works well. Some lists highlight these options, possibly favoring ASRock for cost and performance. VRMs match those of the x570, and they handle all the latest series efficiently. Manual overclocking is manageable, and the BIOS supports fine tuning.
If you're looking at a budget-friendly path, a 3600 CL16 from F4 is a solid choice. It offers good performance at a reasonable price, especially compared to the recent RipJaws 3600 CL16, which provides strong value for its time. You can find it at lower prices in some regions and pairs well with quality RAM timings.
If you have extra funds, opting for a 3700x is tempting—it usually matches the 3600’s speeds while offering tighter timings thanks to Samsung B-die technology. This could give you a noticeable performance boost, though it comes at a higher cost.
For cooling, consider the Spire model as a better alternative to the subpar Stealth cooler that comes with the 3600x. It delivers much better thermal management, making it a worthwhile investment if budget allows. Ultimately, choose based on your priorities: speed, price, or cooling performance.