CPU Advice for a New Build

[protain]

Hey all, I know CPU's are a bit of a controversial topic at the moment with Ryzen's Launch and Kaby Lake's poor quality TIM but I really need some advice on a CPU for my new build. Usually it's been pretty clear cut what CPU I've gone with as there has always been a stand-out SKU that's covered my use case exactly... until now!

My usage of the machine will be mostly gaming, fair bit of emulation, and small amount of virtualization (but not too much as I have another machine for that). I'm currently on an i5-3570K which has served me well, and still does, but I want to change form-factor to uATX so feel it's time to upgrade the whole machine (except the GPU as it's a GTX1070 and I'm happy with it).

Currently torn between the Intel offerings of the i7-7700 and i7-7700K, probably paired with a H270 mobo, or AMD's Ryzen 1700 / 1700X paired with the B350. I'm not going to OC the i7 so I think I'll not be losing too much with the H instead of the Z mobo but I am inclined to the 7700K for the extra couple of hundred MHz, that said the lower TDP of the non-K is also appealing.

Really after some advice / thoughts on the above before I part with my cash.

 

[protain]

thanks for the vote... wish you'd left a comment on why you think that's the best cpu for me, mabe my fault for sticking a poll up lol

 

[Kyuuba]

Let me tell you this, the TIM used on Intel mainstream processors is there for a reason that includes logevity, thresholds, and a few other reasons, etc.
If your main concern is that then avoid Intel mainstream processor because it's never going to change... or delid it but you'll have to deal with it for the rest of your life, it's not about having extra mega hertz, the gain won't be a noticeable difference in the real world, keep that in mind. BTW i voted for the 7700K because you want to game, hope it helps.

 

[EarthDog]

Voted 7700 since you want the most out of it gaming. If you can VM stuff now on a quad, it will be even better with 8 threads.

 

[peche]

7700K here,

Reasons:
Oc capabilities, could used any time,
higher stock clocks...
better Re-sale value

Also paired with Z based chipset could provide smooth experience and option for future tweaks and also better resale value in case you might need to sell, i like i7's, they tend to last several years being still kickass processors, for gaming, working and what ever you trow at'em....

i dont like AMd so i cannot adivse or comment about it, preffer to be quiet with their hardware and avoid discussion and misunderstood's...

Regards,

 

[dorsetknob]

but I want to change form-factor to uATX so feel it's time to upgrade the whole machine

at the moment untill Ryzen platform Mature's a little many are going to say go Intel ( its a mature platform ).

So waiting for AMD motherboards and Bios's to mature or going Intel

Hard Choice ? in the End it comes down to how long you prepared to wait and that nagging devil in your Wallet
I suspect the nagging Devil

will win and your spend on Intel

 

[DeathtoGnomes]

1700X. Although there are some issues with gaming, there are some optimizations are coming thru games and from M$, As far as Overall performance goes, AMD gets my vote.

 

[XiGMAKiD]

Voted 1700, because you can allocate more cores for your VM and still have some left to game on, also the higher the resolution you game at the less Intel's fps advantage

 

[Kanan]

R7 1700 + decent X370 board + decent 3200 Ram + overclock the damn thing.

 

[X828]

I think everyone needs to give AMD some consideration for a new CPU because if they tank after Ryzen we will all be running 400 dollar celerons 10 years from now.

 

[craigo]

Hey Protain,

My choice would be the R7 1700 from AMD the reason being that I don`t think the B350 chipset supports the X series Ryzen features, also as you have stated the reason for the purchase is to go to MATX formfactor the lower TDP of the r7 1700 will suit a cramped case also be aware that most of the B350 boards have less elaborate power delivery than the enthusiast platform.

This also rings true for the H series Intel boards and I feel a K series CPU in your application would be a waste of money as you will no doubt be opting for a smaller case with less airflow.

I have not filled in the poll as AMD or Intel you will be happy, I post more to recommend that you don`t overspend on high TDP/Overclock features with a mismatched board that does not support the CPU and a case/formfactor with reduced cooling capacity.

Kind Regards,
Craig0.

P.S: Enjoy the new formfactor..Build with style and silence in mind..

 

[OneCool]

I think everyone needs to give AMD some consideration for a new CPU because if they tank after Ryzen we will all be running 400 dollar celerons 10 years from now.

Better be one badass Celeron for me to drop $400 on... Otherwise it ain't going to happen.

I do know what you're saying though don't get me wrong. AMD has been " tanking" for years if you listen to the nay sayers.

The Ryzen architecture is doing as they said with a little teething issues that will be worked out. So far IMO it looks strong!!!


In the end Intel is still not the only CPU maker out there.

 

[GoldenX]

For virtualization, and no overclocking, the best option is a 1700 in a B350 motherboard. Nothing beats 16 threads for virtualization.
For gaming, I would prefer an i5, a lot cheaper and as good in games.

Balancing, an i7 would be the best choice right now, you have 8 threads to play with, and the best gaming performance. I vote for the 7700 non K, no point in wasting money on an unlocked version and a more expensive motherboard if it's not going to be overclocked.

Now, personally, I would get the 1700, supporting the competition, having good enough gaming performance, and MOAR CORES is a good thing for the future.

 

[protain]

Thanks for all the constructive comments above, really good to see some of my own thought's echoed by others and a few good points raised that I didn't consider. I think dorsetknob would usually be right about the devil in the wallet but this time I'm going to ignore him (the devil I mean) a little as I want to make a decision that I'll be happy to live with for the next 4 years (average upgrade cycle of my CPU / mobo).

 

[Dethroy]

It's a very tough choice indeed. And I'm glad we finally have choice! Shoutout to AMD for upping their game

I'd say it really depends on how long you plan on keeping the same CPU in your rig...
If it's only 2-3 years, then go with the i7 7700K. If you plan to keep it for a longer amount of time, then go for the R7 1700.

Why 7700K → 7700?
+higher base/boost clocks
+resale value
~ perf/$ ratio
- higher TDP (91W vs 65W) → but this shouldn't be a problem in any uATX and even most mini-ITX systems and you may as well undervolt the 7700K if you don't plan on overclocking anyways ...

Why R7→1700X→100X?
+easily the best perf/$ ratio
+able to reach similar clocks as its bigger siblings when manually overclocking
- less stable minimum FPS

 

[Potatoking]

I have both skylake and ryzen systems on my desk and I must say that AM4 is not 100% ready for general use,
voltage and temperature does not work properly, so it is difficult to everclock and fan cotrol is not optimal.
Startup and shutown takes really long time.
Even though ryzen is exciting and great value, for pure gaming machine I would strongly suggest 7700K

 

[Deleted member 24505]

Mostly gaming, 7700k it is then.

 

[Vya Domus]

It's a very tough choice indeed. And I'm glad we finally have choice! Shoutout to AMD for upping their game

I'd say it really depends on how long you plan on keeping the same CPU in your rig...
If it's only 2-3 years, then go with the i7 7700K. If you plan to keep it for a longer amount of time, then go for the R7 1700.

Why 7700K → 7700?
+higher base/boost clocks
+resale value
~ perf/$ ratio
- higher TDP (91W vs 65W) → but this shouldn't be a problem in any uATX and even most mini-ITX systems and you may as well undervolt the 7700K if you don't plan on overclocking anyways ...

Why R7→1700X→100X?
+easily the best perf/$ ratio
+able to reach similar clocks as its bigger siblings when manually overclocking
- less stable minimum FPS

In all reviews I have seen , it was Ryzen that returned the highest minimum fps or came really to close it.