Thanks for breaking it down for me! I think I’ll stick with the B650 motherboard for now.

Right, I guess I assumed CPU naming makes sense, so surely the lower number CPU must be worse in every way, right?😜

Looks like going with the 7700X is a no-brainer for me then.

As for your upgrade recommendations: Can you explain the benefits of a higher-end mainboard? I would think the mainboard shouldn’t make a huge difference, as long as it’s from a reputable manufacturer and compatible with all the other parts.

Thanks for your help!

Right, I might just see what cooler I can get second-hand. Thanks for your input!