Upgrade from 1700x

[blaineoliver]

I have currently got a 1700x and a MSI x370 xpower titanium motherboard with 32GB DDR4 3000MHz and an RX580.

My motherboard is giving issues using slots 1 and 3 on the ram, which I have troubleshooted down to not being the motherboard cpu or the ram. All my sticks of ram can pass a memory test in slots 2 and 4. A different cpu (2200g) exhibits the same issue so it's not the CPU IMC.

Pc is used mainly for graphic design (Adobe illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop etc) and sometimes for gaming by be. The existing CPU is pretty good in terms of horsepower however seems like with how the motherboards are segmented, I need to spend money on a new CPU and board to future proof or give myself limited upgrade options if I want to stay on my 1700x. Budget wise I guess under £500 of I have to do motherboard and CPU. Or do I stick in a b450 board and run it until it's too slow?

 

[Cyber-Mav]

What speed you trying to run the ram at?
I can only got 2733mhz with 4 sticks and be stable.

 

[blaineoliver]

What speed you trying to run the ram at?
I can only got 2733mhz with 4 sticks and be stable.

I have managed 2933mhz for about 3 months, now when as CMOS reset 2133mhz it's still showing issues. The bios only reports 8gb of memory when using the 'bad slots'.

 

[Joxeon]

A 3900X should be a decent upgrade without changing the board, the IMC is better on this CPU also so should be able to get a bit more out of your ram.

 

[Cyber-Mav]

could be just first gen ryzen chipset issues. thats why i went 4 series insted of 3. a x470 chipset board would be cheapo to get.
you said your issue is not mobo related. but you said you also tried a different cpu and same problem which then must be the mobo.

 

[blaineoliver]

A 3900X should be a decent upgrade without changing the board, the IMC is better on this CPU also so should be able to get a bit more out of your ram.

I think the current board is the issue, I can use any of my 4 ram sticks in slots 2 and 4. If i put just 2 sticks in slots 1 and 3, I get bluescreens or it fails to boot. I tried a 2200g and this shows the same behaviour on slots 1 and 3.

 

[blaineoliver]

could be just first gen ryzen chipset issues. thats why i went 4 series insted of 3. a x470 chipset board would be cheapo to get.
you said your issue is not mobo related. but you said you also tried a different cpu and same problem which then must be the mobo.

Yeah my typo, not cpu or ram I meant.

 

[Cyber-Mav]

if your going new mobo route the one i use msi x470 gaming plus max is usually under 80 quid delivered. works well for my needs and supports ryzen 5000 too.

 

[Joxeon]

I think the current board is the issue, I can use any of my 4 ram sticks in slots 2 and 4. If i put just 2 sticks in slots 1 and 3, I get bluescreens or it fails to boot. I tried a 2200g and this shows the same behaviour on slots 1 and 3.

Ryzen doesn't like 4 sticks especially older ryzen which includes both the 1700X and 2200g, the new 3000/5000 series are much improved and shouldn't have much issue in running 4 dimms at 3000mhz.

 

[Cyber-Mav]

i read a lot of this about people saying cpu x or mobo x doesnt like 4 sticks etc but then why is a mobo made with 4 ram slots if they cant all be used at once? these boards and cpus would have in house testing done to make sure they work with all ram slots populated. sure you may need to check the qualified vendor list thingy to see whats compatible but if not over clocking it should work.
here is ryzen ram speed:

 

[Joxeon]

Zen was incredibly picky when it came to memory and much of this was down to the CPUs memory controller, drop in a new CPU and memory support is much better.

 

[blaineoliver]

seems like options are:

a. don't spend too much and get an x470 board relatively cheaply.
b. buy a b550 board and a 3700x or 5600x

What are thoughts on which cpu to go for if do option b?

 

[Joxeon]

Have you ever updated your motherboard bios as that might be worth trying first before dropping cash on the issue.

 

[blaineoliver]

Have you ever updated your motherboard bios as that might be worth trying first before dropping cash on the issue.

Have the latest bios running, done a clear CMOS too but to no avail.

 

[Cyber-Mav]

depends on your needs. if the 1700 is fast enough for you then x470 on the cheap is good option.

 

[Journey]

What are thoughts on which cpu to go for if do option b?

Option C: Buy a Ryzen 9 3900 (non-X) with a cheapo B550 board for ~£435 and sell your board and CPU for £100+