[SOLVED] I'd like to upgrade my PC with a new CPU since the current one gets to 100% usage really fast, want to ask about compatibility etc.

[CaliTheSloth]

I have the Acer Aspire GX 781 with my current setup:
CPU: Intel Core i5-7400
GPU: Nvidia GTX 1060-3GB
SSD: HFS256G39TND-N210A 256GB
RAM: Hynix HMA81GU6AFR8N-UH 2x8GB
MBD: Acer Aspire
My case is: Width: 175.5 mm, Height: 396.4 mm, Depth: 462.9
I would like to upgrade to a better CPU, I found the i5 9400f and a compatible Asus Prime B360M-A motherboard, is this a good choice/ Any advice on what to change/ Will there be any difficulties with compatibility?

 

[hftvhftv]

I mean, it is a good upgrade, going from 4 to 6 cores, but probably isn't worth the investment, what're you doing when it gets to 100% usage?

 

[CaliTheSloth]

I mean, it is a good upgrade, going from 4 to 6 cores, but probably isn't worth the investment, what're you doing when it gets to 100% usage?

Most of the games I play slowly get it to 100%, some that are harder to run raise it even faster, so it's impossible to further lower the usage.
What do you mean by not worth the investment?

 

[hftvhftv]

Most of the games I play slowly get it to 100%, some that are harder to run raise it even faster, so it's impossible to further lower the usage.
What do you mean by not worth the investment?

Well the lithography/architecture is the same for the 6000-9000 series Intel chips, I'm just saying that if I personally was upgrading from a quad core i5 I'd look at purchasing an 8 core i7 if I need to buy a new motherboard too anyways.

 

[hftvhftv]

To answer your initial question though yes that motherboard and CPU will most likely be compatible, but you may need a BIOS update with a 8th generation CPU installed. I'd also reccomend the ASRock H370M-Pro4 as it's a little better for the same price, eg. VRM heatsinks and the H370 chipset vs the B360.

 

[NightHawkRMX]

2nd that. You MAY need a bios update.

You could buy a b365 board and the 9400f to avoid this issue.

The i5 6 cores is a big upgrade, but it will still be at 100% with a good gpu as some modern games will max out a no ht 6 core. You could pick up an AMD ryzen 5 2600 to get lower cpu usage.

 

[hftvhftv]

https://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/PRIME-B360M-A/HelpDesk_CPU/ As you can see on this CPU support list for the motherboard you mentioned, certain chips are only compatible after the motherboards BIOS has been updated, otherwise there is a chance the system will not start until the BIOS has been updated using a CPU that is compatible with the motherboard.

 

[NightHawkRMX]

So B360 motherboards were initially designed to work with 8th gen CPUs only.
When 9th gen CPUs came out, existing B360 boards could work with 9th gen CPUs, but you would have to update the motherboard's firmware to get the system to boot with a 9th gen cpu.

If you buy a B360 board it may not come with recent firmware and may not be able to boot with the 9400f. In that case, you would have to buy a supported 8th gen cpu and use it to boot the board and then update the bios.

 

[CaliTheSloth]

So B360 motherboards were initially designed to work with 8th gen CPUs only.
When 9th gen CPUs came out, existing B360 boards could work with 9th gen CPUs, but you would have to update the motherboard's firmware to get the system to boot with a 9th gen cpu.

If you buy a B360 board it may not come with recent firmware and may not be able to boot with the 9400f. In that case, you would have to buy a supported 8th gen cpu and use it to boot the board and then update the bios.

So you would suggest me to buy an 8th gen CPU instead of that i5 9400f, if I understand correctly?
If so, I'd like to ask which CPU around the same price you would suggest

 

[hftvhftv]

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 3700X 3.6 GHz 8-Core Processor ($329.00 @ B&H)
Motherboard: MSI B450 TOMAHAWK ATX AM4 Motherboard ($114.99 @ Best Buy)
Total: $443.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-08-02 08:21 EDT-0400

This system is arguably the best way to go if you want a serious upgrade, you can substitute the Ryzen 7 3700X (8 cores 16 threads like a 9900K) for a Ryzen 5 3600 (6 cores 12 threads like an i7 8700K) and still get an upgrade from your 4 core 4 thread chip.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3600 3.6 GHz 6-Core Processor ($199.00 @ B&H)
Motherboard: MSI B450 TOMAHAWK ATX AM4 Motherboard ($114.99 @ Best Buy)
Total: $313.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-08-02 08:23 EDT-0400

The motherboard I listed is able to have it's BIOS updated without a CPU installed, and AMD will actually ship you a temporary "boot kit" in order to update the BIOS if you choose another motherboard that requires an updated BIOS to start with a new Ryzen 3000 series chip.

 

[hftvhftv]

So you would suggest me to buy an 8th gen CPU instead of that i5 9400f, if I understand correctly?
If so, I'd like to ask which CPU around the same price you would suggest

I'd suggest you go with a new AMD system, as they came out less than a month ago, and offer a far better value for your money than Intel, as well as offer more multi-core performance for the same price, and match single core performance.

 

[NightHawkRMX]

So you would suggest me to buy an 8th gen CPU instead of that i5 9400f, if I understand correctly?

No, I would suggest you buy a motherboard that will definately not need an 8th gen cpu to update the bios so the 9th gen one works.

Heres one that will work without potentially needing an 8th gen cpu: https://pcpartpicker.com/product/Xtzkcf/asrock-b365m-pro4-micro-atx-lga1151-motherboard-b365m-pro4
Its only $69


In all reality, the Ryzen 3600 is the better option. It offer more threads that will lower cpu usage and the Ryzen 5 3600 performs like an i7 8700k.
BTW the 3600 costs $199 where the 8700k is around $350

 

[CaliTheSloth]

These sound like the best options, the ones above are too expensive for me
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3600 3.6 GHz 6-Core Processor ($199.00 @ B&H)
Motherboard: MSI B450 TOMAHAWK ATX AM4 Motherboard ($114.99 @ Best Buy)

I think I will be picking these then

 

[NightHawkRMX]

These sound like the best options, the ones above are too expensive for me
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3600 3.6 GHz 6-Core Processor ($199.00 @ B&H)
Motherboard: MSI B450 TOMAHAWK ATX AM4 Motherboard ($114.99 @ Best Buy)

I think I will be picking these then

Might i add, that board also needs a bios uodate to work with that cpu.

The difference is the b450 tomahawk allows you to update the bios without a supported cpu and just a usb drive.

The 3600 option does seem like the best. It performs about like an i7 8700k at stock, but the 3600 is much cheaper and has a better upgrade path to 16 cores.

Whats speed is your ram currently?

 

[CaliTheSloth]

Whats speed is your ram currently?

I don't understand that question, but I've got Hynix HMA81GU6AFR8N-UH 2x8GB

Also a question for that motherboard, how does this Bios update for the B450 Tomahawk work?

 

[reaper12474]

Just so your know Msi is coming out with a refresh for the Tomahawk, called Tomahawk Max. It may be worth your time to wait for this, as it does not require a bios update. They will have bios new enough to run 3rd gen ryzen.

 

[NightHawkRMX]

https://ibb.co/2q8YD2m
Right from the owners manual.
Nothing needed but psu and usb drive.

 

[reaper12474]

true forgot that board had a flash button on it.

 

[CaliTheSloth]

Alright then, thank you all for help, I think that is everything I need!

 

[NightHawkRMX]

Your ram is compatable, but a little slow for ryzen. You could give it an overclock to get better performance.

 

[CaliTheSloth]

An update: After a bit more research I have found that my case is a mini-tower / midi-tower (two websites with different names) And want to ask if the MSI B450 Tomahawk will fit in

 

[NightHawkRMX]

Assuming its a micro atx tower, you could buy a MSI b450m gaming plus. Its a micro atx board which also has a pretty good vrm and bios flashback.

What is the model of your case?

 

[CaliTheSloth]

Assuming its a micro atx tower, you could buy a MSI b450m gaming plus. Its a micro atx board which also has a pretty good vrm and bios flashback.

What is the model of your case?

I honestly have no idea, couldn't find it anywhere, but the PC is an Acer Aspire GX 781, if that helps

 

[reaper12474]

Judging by the dimensions of the case and vids I can find on it, that is a Mini tower pc. It probably only fit a micro or mini Atx motherboard. So no it may not fit. you could get a Micro-Atx board instead but that is an Acer OEM case so no guarantees that would even fit.