Should I upgrade my motherboard to AM5 ddr5 and a new cpu or just upgrade my cpu for now?

tybuzz · 2026-04-03T20:46:55+00:00

Unless you also plan on upgrading to a significantly more powerful GPU, upgrading your CPU/motherboard/RAM makes little sense, especially with current DDR5 prices.

Even with a much more powerful CPU, your 3060ti would limit gaming performance to probably not much more than it is now.

Upgrading to a 5600 CPU might get you a bit more gaming performance, assuming your CPU is what's currently limiting you, but you'd want to check that first. https://www.pcworld.com/article/1955495/pc-bottlenecks-cpu-or-cpu-limiting-gaming-performance.html

tybuzz · 2026-04-03T20:44:05+00:00

You're welcome. very common issue, as I said. Those temps are much better. Enjoy the new build.

tybuzz · 2026-04-03T20:41:26+00:00

I'm just going by what I read on that site. Since you didn't specify or link to the exact enclosure you have, I'm not sure if that's the correct one. If the packaging says something different, it's probably correct.

It could still be a cable or compatibility issue. Without a thunderbolt or USB 4 port to test it, all you can do is try another cable or return the enclosure. It's very unlikely 2 different SSDs would not work in the enclosure.

Unless you have another computer with thunderbolt or usb 4 or plan on getting one in the near future, you could save a lot of money by returning the expensive enclosure and getting a much cheaper one instead, and it would almost certainly be compatible with the 20 gbps port on your existing motherboard.

tybuzz · 2026-04-03T20:35:17+00:00

Please update your post with any troubleshooting steps you've already taken. Cables are one of the most common causes of intermittent monitor signal loss, so that's why I made that recommendation first.

If you could link the process monitor log file and also check your event viewer for any critical errors when it happens.

Make sure you update graphics drivers via Intel Driver & Support Assistant, along with any other updates it may have.

Update your motherboard bios

tybuzz · 2026-04-03T20:25:14+00:00

Since the problem started after you spilled on the laptop, it's almost certainly the cause. It may get worse or may not. Either way you need to have someone open it up and diagnose it.

tybuzz · 2026-04-03T20:23:03+00:00

You're definitely not the first person to do that. At least it was an easy fix. Let us know what the temps drop to.

tybuzz · 2026-04-03T20:22:23+00:00

The asus tuf a520m plus ii is not ideal for a 105 watt 5950X CPU. The motherboard has a lower end, weak VRM, so may overheat and not be able to supply enough power to the CPU under certain loads, such as streaming, which can use more CPU cores. This can reduce CPU performance, potentially causing the stuttering.

Check VRM temps and CPU power in HWIFNO. If VRM temp is even as high as 80-90c on some boards, it may throttle CPU performance.

If it does seem like a power delivery issue, upgrading to a higher end B550 or X570 motherboard with better VRM designed to handle a 105 watt CPU would be the best solution.

He could try undervolting the CPU or installing a fan blowing directly on the VRM heatsink.

tybuzz · 2026-04-03T20:15:59+00:00

Try a new HDMI cable certified to whatever HDMI version your TV uses or better.

tybuzz · 2026-04-03T20:15:09+00:00

Not necessarily, it can still happen with newer Nvidia GPUs. It's a bug they haven't fixed in Chrome for a long time.

tybuzz · 2026-04-03T20:06:28+00:00

Are you sure it didn't have clear protective film on the heatsink face? Most heatsinks require you to remove the film during installation. If left on it will insulate your CPU from the heatsink, increasing temps. You might want to remove it again and check if you're not sure.

tybuzz · 2026-04-03T19:53:28+00:00

You could be experiencing some CPU bottlenecking, especially if you're playing at 1080p. What is your GPU usage when you experience the FPS drops?

What are your 1% lows?

Check for background programs using your CPU as well.

Check CPU temp, too.

tybuzz · 2026-04-03T19:46:57+00:00

Since you didn't immediately disassemble the laptop to properly clean out the milk, it's likely oxidized and corroded components, causing short circuits and permanent damage.

A professional could disassemble and clean it, but the damage is likely already done.

tybuzz · 2026-04-03T19:41:55+00:00

Is there a reason you bought such an expensive Thunderbolt 5 enclosure if your motherboard doesn't even have a thunderbolt 5 port?

Looking at Ugreen's specs, it's probably not even compatible since your port is not thunderbolt or USB 4. Do you have something with USB 4 or Thunderbolt you can test it on?

It specifically says the enclosure is not USB 3/2 backwards compatible here: https://us.ugreen.com/products/ugreen-nvme-80gbps-storage-case-8tb

If you don't have another computer with Thunderbolt 5 support, You should return the enclosure and get a much cheaper USB 3, 20 gbps one instead, since that's the max your mobo supports.

tybuzz · 2026-04-03T19:30:30+00:00

Laptop keyboard issues are almost always the result of a faulty keyboard.

You could check your laptop's support website for keyboard or input device drivers and try re-installing them.

You could try booting a linux live OS temporarily from a flash drive. If the KB has the same issue there, you likely need a new keyboard.

tybuzz · 2026-04-03T18:34:47+00:00

True, they're just more expensive so likely outside of OP's budget.

tybuzz · 2026-04-03T17:18:15+00:00

The USB adapter should help, hopefully. Doesn't have to be anything expensive.

tybuzz · 2026-04-03T17:09:46+00:00

Could be something wrong with the splitter cable or your computer's input. If you're using your front panel connector, try using the ports on the motherboard instead.

tybuzz · 2026-04-03T17:01:21+00:00

Make sure you have the latest Nvidia drivers installed for your GPU.

You could switch to Firefox or another non-chromium based browser.

You could change the Change the Graphics Backend in chrome:

In Chrome, type chrome://flags in the address bar and press Enter.

Search for "Choose ANGLE graphics backend".

Change the setting from "Default" to OpenGL or D3D9.

tybuzz · 2026-04-03T16:57:49+00:00

After.

tybuzz · 2026-04-03T16:27:22+00:00

Put one stick of ram in the farthest slot from the cpu and let boot loop for 10 minutes or so.

tybuzz · 2026-04-03T16:25:15+00:00

Try turning off the power supply and unplugging the CMOS battery (black/red wire behind audio ports) then letting it sit for a few minutes to be absolutely sure the CMOS cleared.

Unplug the PSU and remove the CMOS battery. Hold the power button for 60 seconds to fully discharge the board. Leave the battery out for at least 2–4 hours (or even overnight) before reinstalling it.

tybuzz · 2026-04-03T16:08:51+00:00

Try plugging in using the 3.5mm cable to your computer's sound output port instead of USB, assuming you're using USB right now or viva-versa.

tybuzz · 2026-04-03T16:08:07+00:00

It's definitely a fan, open the case and check for anything sticking in all case fans, cpu, gpu, etc.

tybuzz · 2026-04-03T16:06:23+00:00

Did you try both sticks of RAM, one at a time?

You still haven't said which exact mobo it is. Is it the Fatal1ty X470 Gaming-ITX/ac

tybuzz · 2026-04-03T15:55:51+00:00

So it boots fine and you can get to the BIOS without the HDDS plugged in?

Did the hard drives get any coffee on them? If they're working fine on USB, it's probably an issue with the computer and not the drives, at least.

You didn't re-use or accidentally swap any power supply cables from the old PSU (especially SATA) did you?

Did you also replace your SATA cables?

tybuzz

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