Advice on upgrade to Ryzen

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tim0001

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#320337 2-Aug-2025 13:54

Just looking for a bit of advice on upgrading my PC to something Ryzen-based.

Right now I’ve got a 3rd gen i7 system — it still works fine, but it’s feeling a bit slow compared to my new work laptop. I mostly use the desktop for general browsing and light tasks (no gaming), and it runs Linux only, so I don’t need anything powerful.

I’m thinking of replacing the motherboard, CPU (with cooler), and RAM. Open to new or used parts. Planning to keep my existing PSU and SATA SSDs for now, and I’ve also got a GTX 750 GPU lying around. Here are a couple of options (new parts) I found online (mostly on AliExpress and Amazon):

Option 1 (AM5 ):

Gigabyte B650M Gaming WiFi – $155 NZD

Patriot Viper Venom DDR5 16GB (2x8GB) 5200MHz – $93 NZD

Ryzen 5 8400F (PassMark 24,537) – $150 NZD

Total: $398 NZD (incl GST and shipping)

Option 2 (AM4 ):

Gigabyte B550M K – $124 NZD

ADATA XPG Gammix D35 DDR4 16GB (2x8GB) 3200MHz CL16 – $65 NZD

Ryzen 5 5500 (PassMark 19,329) – $110 NZD

Total: $299 NZD (incl GST and shipping)

Thoughts?

Also, if I get a motherboard with 4 RAM slots, is it easy enough to upgrade from 2 sticks to 4 later on? Or will it cause issues if they’re not all exactly the same? (Had a laptop once that was very fussy about a matching pair)

Thanks

networkn

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#3399324 2-Aug-2025 14:31

I'd get a second hand 5800x or a new 5600xt in your situation.

mentalinc

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#3399335 2-Aug-2025 15:44

What's your budget?

I'd go the AM5 purely for longevity, looks like current system has lasted 13 years.

CPU: AMD 5900x | RAM: GSKILL Trident Z Neo RGB F4-3600C16D-32GTZNC-32-GB | MB: Asus X570-E | GFX: EVGA FTW3 Ultra RTX 3080Ti| Monitor: LG 27GL850-B 2560x1440

Quic: https://account.quic.nz/refer/473833 R473833EQKIBX

Handle9

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#3399337 2-Aug-2025 16:58

I’d definitely go AM5 at this point. AM5 gives a lot more runway. You’ll spend a bit more but you’ve got a platform that’ll be supported for a lot longer.

olivernz

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#3399413 2-Aug-2025 18:40

You don't say what you want to do with it but I'd always go with AM5 or used AM4 anything over a 8core (16 thread) is overpowered for 99.9% of users. Don't do AliExpress. Maybe CPU but not the rest but I guess you can get better deals locally.

Also look at mini systems from Gmktec.com, aoostar.com and minisforum. Especially if the gaming side is not overly important (i.e. no Cyberpunk at 200FPS :-D). They are very powerful nowadays (AMD that is). Something like 8845HS.

networkn

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#3399418 2-Aug-2025 19:17

olivernz:

You don't say what you want to do with it but I'd always go with AM5 or used AM4 anything over a 8core (16 thread) is overpowered for 99.9% of users. Don't do AliExpress. Maybe CPU but not the rest but I guess you can get better deals locally.

Also look at mini systems from Gmktec.com, aoostar.com and minisforum. Especially if the gaming side is not overly important (i.e. no Cyberpunk at 200FPS :-D). They are very powerful nowadays (AMD that is). Something like 8845HS.

The 8840S Mini PC is what I use as a Lab Server, and it's plenty to run multiple decent Windows Server and Workstation VM's at very respectable speeds.

tim0001

264 posts

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#3399422 2-Aug-2025 19:41

Thanks for your input. Here are my answers to the questions:

My original budget was around $400 for AM5 or $300 for AM4.

The intended use is general browsing and light tasks—no gaming. I’m also interested in experimenting with overclocking and undervolting, but it looks like the motherboards I mentioned earlier may not support that, despite being marketed as B550/B650 “gaming” boards.

I’ll be connecting a few drives as well, so a mini PC isn’t really suitable.

It seems like finding a budget AM5 motherboard with ok VRMs and proper overclocking support might be tricky. See Hardware Uboxed. (The demands of 8400F aren't great, but I might want to upgrade one day)

SpartanVXL

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#3399453 2-Aug-2025 22:51

Unlike Intel, AMD’s boards have full OC capabilities. Iirc there isn’t anything restricted on b-series.

Unless you are benchmarking most b-series are perfectly fine for power delivery.