Question ASRock AB350 Pro4 (AM4) upgradablility ?

[Spartanbld]

Hi guys, newbie here....so be gentle.

I have a 5-6 year old system that I want to upgrade, but retirement pension does not allow for a new system.

Soooo...keeping the system and upgrading with about $500 bucks to spend

Current spec: Ryzen 7 1700.....NVIDIA GTX 660.....DDR4 16MB RAM

Can I put in a...

Ryzen 7 5700X...$200 CDN
Radeon RX 6600....$280 CDN
32MB RAM...$70 CDN

Used for Autocad, Chief Architect and surfing. No games unless it's a turns based strategy game.

I could really use some help to know if my motherboard supports the new hardware. The local kids are "put it in and see if it works". No, I can't afford to buy components with wishful thinking.

REALLY need the help and thank you in advance!

 

[Lutfij]

Welcome to the forums, newcomer!

Please list the specs to your build like so:
CPU:
CPU cooler:
Motherboard:
Ram:
SSD/HDD:
GPU:
PSU:
Chassis:
OS:
Monitor:
include the age of the PSU apart from it's make and model. BIOS version for your motherboard at this moment of time.

You will need to perform a BIOS update to the latest version prior to dropping in the Ryzen 7 5700x.
https://www.asrock.com/mb/AMD/AB350 Pro4/index.asp#BIOS
at the very least, you will need BIOS version P7.40 in order to operate the Ryzen 7 5700x.

Do you have any preferred sites for purchase within Canada?

 

[Nice Nicer]

I have a similar mainboard, and i assume that up to the 4000 series practically everything should work after a bios update.
Don´t forget about that, once you found a new processor. Please refer to the manufacturer´s website for processor compatibility. You also need a decent cooler for Ryzen 7, i think. This might cost about 30 - 40 dollars extra depending on your choice.
ASRock probably provides a list of compatible parts for the CPU. Same with the RAM. Also try to find out about the maximum speed for the sticks, which probaly is about 3200 Mhz. Matching pairs work better than individual parts ( you probably have heard about it before ). The Graphics card of your choice does work better with PCI-E Gen 4 if i remeber correctly, so also check if your mainboard can provide that.

Good Luck dealhunting! This sounds like you might consider some kind of offer for a bundle, which might cost a bit less. Not sure , where you are looking to buy though. I would suggest ebay, but that´s just a guess.

click here for the ASROCK Page about the MoBO

It does not have Pci-E Gen 4 , only 3.

List of supported CPUs - click here

The processor you would like to buy is supported. YOU NEED BIOS Revision P7.40 !!!

RX 6600 specifications

THe RX 6600 needs Pci-E gen 4 ( which you don´t have ) and x8. I would suggest a slightly different card. Maybe a bit older might even be better in this case.

 

[COLGeek]

I have a similar mainboard, and i assume that up to the 4000 series practically everything should work after a bios update.
Don´t forget about that, once you found a new processor. Please refer to the manufacturer´s website for processor compatibility. You also need a decent cooler for Ryzen 7, i think. This might cost about 30 - 40 dollars extra depending on your choice.
ASRock probably provides a list of compatible parts for the CPU. Same with the RAM. Also try to find out about the maximum speed for the sticks, which probaly is about 3200 Mhz. Matching pairs work better than individual parts ( you probably have heard about it before ). The Graphics card of your choice does work better with PCI-E Gen 4 if i remeber correctly, so also check if your mainboard can provide that.

Good Luck dealhunting! This sounds like you might consider some kind of offer for a bundle, which might cost a bit less. Not sure , where you are looking to buy though. I would suggest ebay, but that´s just a guess.

click here for the ASROCK Page about the MoBO

It does not have Pci-E Gen 4 , only 3.

List of supported CPUs - click here

The processor you would like to buy is supported. YOU NEED BIOS Revision P7.40 !!!

RX 6600 specifications

THe RX 6600 needs Pci-E gen 4 ( which you don´t have ) and x8. I would suggest a slightly different card. Maybe a bit older might even be better in this case.

The GPU will work just fine in the OP's motherboard. It is backwards compatible with the PCIe 3 interface in place.

 

[Spartanbld]

The GPU will work just fine in the OP's motherboard. It is backwards compatible with the PCIe 3 interface in place.

Thank you. I was about to ask that question.

I bought the GTX 660 around 2013 for another computer that was a door stop by 2018 when I built the current system. Cards were gold at that time so I put in the 660 and waited...and waited.

Now, I want to repeat the process and by something better that can last a decade and maybe another new build in several years.

The monitor is a 43" 4k Samsung TV. So far, 5 years, it works without a problem.

So it looks like I can do what I thought I can with my $500 budget.

Only thing I don't know...are my upgrades the "best" route for what I use the computer for? It looks like I can get a ton of info on gaming components but not so much on CAD stuff.

Lastly, I'm in Canada so I'm buying from Canada Computers (up the street) or Newegg.

 

[CountMike]

Hi guys, newbie here....so be gentle.

I have a 5-6 year old system that I want to upgrade, but retirement pension does not allow for a new system.

Soooo...keeping the system and upgrading with about $500 bucks to spend

Current...Ryzen 7 1700.....NVIDIA GTX660.....DDR4 16MB

Can I put in a...

Ryzen 7 5700X...$200 CDN
Radeon RX6600....$280 CDN
32MB...$70 CDN

Used for autocad, chief architect and surfing. No games unless it's a turns based strategy game.

I can really use the help to know if my motherboard supports the new hardware. The local kids are "put it in and see if it works". No, I can't afford to buy components with wishful thinking.

REALLY need the help and thank you in advance!

That looks like a good plan. MB will support those with proper BIOS version with couple of caveats.
1. PSU, need a good one with 650W
2. 5700X doesn't come with cooler but it needs better one than one which is minimum for Ryzen 1700.

 

[geofelt]

An upgrade is doable.
I suggest you upgrade in steps.
5700X is supported. $240
https://www.newegg.ca/amd-ryzen-7-5700x-ryzen-7-5000-series/p/N82E16819113735?Item=N82E16819113735
What is the make/model of your case?
Plan on a decent cooler $80:
https://www.newegg.ca/p/0VE-01P6-00019?Item=9SIADDZK112062
For now, keep the GTX660. It should be sufficient for strategy games.
On ram. if your app can use ram as a fast work file, more is better.
Otherwise see if your current ram is a problem.

Task manager can be misleading if it is used to assess ram use.
Windows stores unused code in ram in anticipation of quick reuse.
If an app tries to access code that is not currently resident in ram, it needs to fetch it from the page file and write some older data to the page file to make room. That is called a hard page fault and while the fault is not resolved, the app stops dead.
Resolution can be painful if the page file is on a HDD.

When actively running, open task manager, open the resource monitor/memory tab.
Look at the hard fault rate column.
If you see anything much more than zero, you can use more ram.

Ryzen is sensitive to ram. If you want more ram, buy a complete replacement kit that is documented to be fully compatible.
Not all similar spec ram will work.
Task manager can be misleading if it is used to assess ram use.
Windows stores unused code in ram in anticipation of quick reuse.
If an app tries to access code that is not currently resident in ram, it needs to fetch it from the page file and write some older data to the page file to make room. That is called a hard page fault and while the fault is not resolved, the app stops dead.
Resolution can be painful if the page file is on a HDD.

When actively running, open task manager, open the resource monitor/memory tab.
Look at the hard fault rate column.
If you see anything much more than zero, you can use more ram.

 

[Nice Nicer]

Message removed ("edited") by myselve. I wasn´t paying attention to something.

 

[geofelt]

The OP shops from NEWEGG.CA I don't think that combo is available, and Canadian prices are higher.

 

[Nice Nicer]

The OP shops from NEWEGG.CA I don't think that combo is available, and Canadian prices are higher.

Sorry, didn´t realize i was talking bs.

 

[Spartanbld]

I went over to Canada Computers and I was advised just to wait another month until around a week or two before Black Friday. Then accumulate the components as I find them on sale.

A bit annoyed at prices. One week the cpu is $195, next week, $219, now $239. My wallet is even more annoyed.

Cards are still expensive. I can't believe people are paying $2500 for high end cards. I knew I should of had a career in card heists...err...bank heists.

Anywho, it looks like the the RX 6600 is the budget choice or for a slightly "better" card in a RX 6650 RT. Not a lot of dollars for 12% more speed. The RX 6650 Rt is $319 vs RX 6600 at $279. According to the salesman, it's a better target.

He actually recommended I target a card with at least 12mb of memory. My wallet almost attacked him.

As for memory, he recommends 8x4 sticks. Apparently according to him, the computer better utilizes 4 sticks instead of two 16s. About $65.

It looks like I have to set my mind to a price, buy it and then go for the build.

It's costing $59 for them to do the work. I'm not all thumbs but I don't want to screw up and brick the system. I've never done a bios upgrade and I'm sure it's simple, I just don't trust myself and I have no "friends" that can do it.

 

[Spartanbld]

An upgrade is doable.
I suggest you upgrade in steps.
5700X is supported. $240
https://www.newegg.ca/amd-ryzen-7-5700x-ryzen-7-5000-series/p/N82E16819113735?Item=N82E16819113735
What is the make/model of your case?
Plan on a decent cooler $80:
https://www.newegg.ca/p/0VE-01P6-00019?Item=9SIADDZK112062
For now, keep the GTX660. It should be sufficient for strategy games.
On ram. if your app can use ram as a fast work file, more is better.
Otherwise see if your current ram is a problem.

Task manager can be misleading if it is used to assess ram use.
Windows stores unused code in ram in anticipation of quick reuse.
If an app tries to access code that is not currently resident in ram, it needs to fetch it from the page file and write some older data to the page file to make room. That is called a hard page fault and while the fault is not resolved, the app stops dead.
Resolution can be painful if the page file is on a HDD.

When actively running, open task manager, open the resource monitor/memory tab.
Look at the hard fault rate column.
If you see anything much more than zero, you can use more ram.

Ryzen is sensitive to ram. If you want more ram, buy a complete replacement kit that is documented to be fully compatible.
Not all similar spec ram will work.
Task manager can be misleading if it is used to assess ram use.
Windows stores unused code in ram in anticipation of quick reuse.
If an app tries to access code that is not currently resident in ram, it needs to fetch it from the page file and write some older data to the page file to make room. That is called a hard page fault and while the fault is not resolved, the app stops dead.
Resolution can be painful if the page file is on a HDD.

When actively running, open task manager, open the resource monitor/memory tab.
Look at the hard fault rate column.
If you see anything much more than zero, you can use more ram.

You lost me. I only get interested in computers at upgrade time. After that, push for on, push for off.

I will show the salesperson what you wrote. According to him, 32 is enough and after that, the extra memory will rarely be used.

I wasn't clear about using the video card. It's more then just strategy games. To render 3D from my cad designs takes eons. I can wait 3 minutes for a rendering. Now imagine trying to rotate that. The salesman wants me to wait and find a 12mb (or more) card with more speed. When I saw the price of some of those cards, selling a kidney was not enough...and I like my kidneys.

 

[CountMike]

I went over to Canada Computers and I was advised just to wait another month until around a week or two before Black Friday. Then accumulate the components as I find them on sale.

A bit annoyed at prices. One week the cpu is $195, next week, $219, now $239. My wallet is even more annoyed.

Cards are still expensive. I can't believe people are paying $2500 for high end cards. I knew I should of had a career in card heists...err...bank heists.

Anywho, it looks like the the RX 6600 is the budget choice or for a slightly "better" card in a RX 6650 RT. Not a lot of dollars for 12% more speed. The RX 6650 Rt is $319 vs RX 6600 at $279. According to the salesman, it's a better target.

He actually recommended I target a card with at least 12mb of memory. My wallet almost attacked him.

As for memory, he recommends 8x4 sticks. Apparently according to him, the computer better utilizes 4 sticks instead of two 16s. About $65.

It looks like I have to set my mind to a price, buy it and then go for the build.

It's costing $59 for them to do the work. I'm not all thumbs but I don't want to screw up and brick the system. I've never done a bios upgrade and I'm sure it's simple, I just don't trust myself and I have no "friends" that can do it.

Rx 6600 is pretty decent card even for1080p gaming, for Autocad and similar work may be even too much, all it has to do is to display picture. For programs that use GPU for calculations, there are much more expensive professional GPUs.
Prices of components are floating and variable because of new generations that just showed up or are coming soon. Retail prices of EOL components are subject to what seller has in stock but are cheaper for simple upgrades as opposed to whole new systems and inevitable higher prices of new generations. That "game" has been played for decades.
Advice to hunt for deals is sound one and you don't need to do all of them at once. Updating BIOS is 5-10 minute job, don't even have to open covers. Your problem is that flashing BIOS compatible with 5700x will stop 1700 from working and that means that CPU will have to be changed right after. Everything else will work as before. If you find good deal now or soon, you can do it and work with it until you find GPU for decent price. DDR3 RAM is at it's lowest price now, I doubt it will get substantially cheaper so might as well upgrade at same time, it's also 5 minute job once case is open and is simple as a pie.
GPU too, just may need some power connection from PSU and changing drivers after the swap.

 

[geofelt]

Count mike, that is pcie3, not ddr3.

There is no particular advantage to using a amd card on an amd motherboard.
Nvidia will would work just as well.
Here is a handy chart as to the capabilities of different cards.
https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gpu-hierarchy,4388.html

Look to the specs for your cad design app.
They should have guidance on graphics cards.
Or.. check the forums of the app for guidance.

Since ram must be matched in a single kit, it costs more to do the matching.
Ryzen operates in dual channel mode only.
Performance differences between 2 x 16 and 4 x8 will be minimal.

Bios updates can be scary. It looks like nothing is going on for a long time.
But, DO NOT interrupt the process.
You could take the motherboard to a repair shop and have them do the bios update and cpu replacement.
I don't know that I would trust a salesman so much.

 

[Spartanbld]

Count mike, that is pcie3, not ddr3.

There is no particular advantage to using a amd card on an amd motherboard.
Nvidia will would work just as well.
Here is a handy chart as to the capabilities of different cards.
https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gpu-hierarchy,4388.html

Look to the specs for your cad design app.
They should have guidance on graphics cards.
Or.. check the forums of the app for guidance.

Since ram must be matched in a single kit, it costs more to do the matching.
Ryzen operates in dual channel mode only.
Performance differences between 2 x 16 and 4 x8 will be minimal.

Bios updates can be scary. It looks like nothing is going on for a long time.
But, DO NOT interrupt the process.
You could take the motherboard to a repair shop and have them do the bios update and cpu replacement.
I don't know that I would trust a salesman so much.

Canada Computers has a repair shop. I don't like taking a computer to a shop for privacy reason. I don't want to expose piles of documents or...my Foghorn Leghorn fetish.

I don't normally trust salesman but in this case it was the repairman...and he told me not to buy anything...yet. And of course, that is why I'm here and reading/rereading responses.

And of course a HUGE THANK YOU to all who have contributed.

 

[CountMike]

Canada Computers has a repair shop. I don't like taking a computer to a shop for privacy reason. I don't want to expose piles of documents or...my Foghorn Leghorn fetish.

I don't normally trust salesman but in this case it was the repairman...and he told me not to buy anything...yet. And of course, that is why I'm here and reading/rereading responses.

And of course a HUGE THANK YOU to all who have contributed.

For privacy, keep private/personal files on external or locked disk, For repairs it's usually necessary to access disk(s) or even change it or reformat and you would loose everything or run into nosy repair person.
PS. "Repair person" most probably knows better what new things are coming(soon) and potential prices of old and new components. Sales person would care only to sell things available to him now.