AMD or Intel, this is the question.

[vultusprime]

Hello everyone!
This is my first post here, Happy New year.

My aging Sandy Bridge system has been in need of replacing for over two years, but never got round to it. It's always the same, money is needed elsewhere and you keep delaying until your PC is over 8 years old!

I would like to make a premise by saying that I am not a fan of either blue or red team.
True, that all computers I owned in the past, except for one, were Intel. But back in 2006 I got my very first AMD Athlon 64, which was a very good CPU.

Right now I am looking to buy a new computer. It's main purpose is gaming at 1080p, from simple online card games, to triple A titles.
I am not really interested with the performance benefits in other applications. Gaming is where I want my PC to perform at its best.

At first I was going to buy Intel and the choice was between the i5 9600k and the i7 9700k (the 8700k seemed out of stock). But when the new Ryzen were released (3600, 3600x, 3700x) I was very impressed, especially over the Ryzen 5 3600. Here was a budget CPU with plenty of gaming power. It could be paired with a relatively cheap B450 motherboard, unlike the Z390s for Intel.

With any new technology there are always a few rough edges to be smoothed out, so I waited a few months to see what would happen.

But as of now there are quite a few people still complaining about high temperatures on idle and especially at full load. Some complain of temps in the mid 80s at full load. I read that ZEN2 throttles at 95C and will shut down at 105C. I understand this, but the idea of having my new CPU at 80C only because I am watching a youtube video is worrying.

This is the point of this lengthy post, I am worried that after buying a Ryzen 5 3600, or maybe even a 3700X if possible, I will start having problems with high temps and also high core voltages. I am aware that many other people are quite happy with their new Ryzen and temps are in their mid 70s at load. I would be very happy if that was the case with me.

But are these real problems? Is it a good idea to buy a Ryzen 3000 today? Is it a safe choice?

On the other side of the rainbow Intel only has the i7 9700K to offer (the i9 is too expensive and in my opinion unnecessary just to play games).
But even the i7 feels "old" as it is without HT and I'll need to spend more. But it seems more stable and with less problems than the Ryzen 3000, please correct me if I'm mistaken.

These are the parts I'd like to get, but I am a little unease about it. Should I venture into new territory and get the 3600/3700X or stick with Intel and the i7 9700K?

 

[Bill_Bright]

This thread is likely just going to end up in a pi$$ing contest between Intel and AMD fans so I am not going there.

It is great you stated gaming will be the primary purpose of this machine. But you failed to state your budget.

Since you did not include a monitor, keyboard, mouse or speakers on your list, can we assume they will not be included in this build (at least for budgeting purposes)?

As far as your listed items, the only thing I will comment on is your PSU - that is an excellent choice, but way more power than you need. You could easily get by with a 550W PSU. I would recommend 600 - 650W to allow for future upgrades and quieter operation.

 

[XL-R8R]

A Scythe Fuma 2 instead of the Noctua, a cheaper case and the Win 10 key from an online seller will allow the upgrade to the 3600X plus the 5700XT.

The rest of the build is pretty solid.




(I would probably also go 5700XT either way as the price difference between the XT and non-XT is very little in most regions of the world)

 

[vultusprime]

This thread is likely just going to end up in a pi$$ing contest between Intel and AMD fans so I am not going there.

It is great you stated gaming will be the primary purpose of this machine. But you failed to state your budget.

Since you did not include a monitor, keyboard, mouse or speakers on your list, can we assume they will not be included in this build (at least for budgeting purposes)?

As far as your listed items, the only thing I will comment on is your PSU - that is an excellent choice, but way more power than you need. You could easily get by with a 550W PSU. I would recommend 600 - 650W to allow for future upgrades and quieter operation.

Hello buddy, thanks for the reply. I am not trying to start a p...contest between Intel and AMD, but I simply would like to know how to chose. This is the main question of the post.
My budget is around that, 1300 - 1400 US$. The other stuff like monitor keyboard and such I already have from my current system.
Yes I know that 750W is a lot but to be honest I feel much better with more power in reserve, On my 8 years old system I also have the same PSU and it's still running strong (knock on wood)

 

[Camper7]

I would go for AMD Ryzen 7 3700X for sure. Had Intel since core i7 2600K was new.
Liquid cooling will solve the temps. Intel has about 10% slower core performance and they are much more expensive. Or wait for the Ryzen 4000-series for desktop builds.

 

[dirtyferret]

It's a good build but you can probably get the Noctua U12s for $5-10 more

 

[vultusprime]

Welcome @vultusprime. No one is saying you are trying to start a back and forth from Nvidia fans and AMD fans. It's just how these threads usually end up and it's tiresome after the hundreds and hundreds of them I've seen over the years but I don't think you intend that to happen.

I will speak on the GPU that you are looking at. The RX 5700 that you are looking at is a very good choice for 1080p gaming and should last you for a while.


View attachment 141951

Hello, and thank you for the welcome. Yes it is not my intention to create discord. Maybe we can look at it from a different point of view.
Let's forget about Intel and only focus on the new Ryzen 3000 series. Taking into consideration the "problems" I have mentioned in my post, should I be worried about buying a 3600/3700X, are these CPUs ok?

 

[Boatvan]

People can argue about this ad nauseam until the end of time. There are facts out there that can be in favor of one side or the other. It isn't black and white like the internet makes you think. Some people (like my dad, a tech industry member since 1980) are not comfortable to change (which is fine!). He happens to like intel. That is for him to decide. I on the other hand (a noob in the industry of 8 years) defected from intel to AMD due to the price point. I like my AMD, dad likes his intel.

My point is if you are looking for a clear answer here or any forum, you will get a bunch of members who are fanatical to a side, thus causing a little strife and salt for everyone.

The way I chose was to do my own research. Determine what I was willing to pay, if it fit my use-case, and if I was comfortable with my choice. That is merely my method, but feel free to ask around if you think that is right. I am not here to steer one way or the other, just my advice on picking one.

 

[oxrufiioxo]

My 3900X system is just as stable as my 9900k system it also runs cooler and quieter while gaming it's also being pushed less hard but the h115i platinum does a slightly better job on it than my h150i pro does on my 9900k. The R5 3600 is currently a much better buy than any similar intel chip especially considering you're not buying a 2080 ti also.


I would probably go with the XT version of the gpu if it fits in your budget and I just left the case you already put into your list.
You can get an oem windows license for like 15 bucks don't waste 140 of your budget on a retail version.

System Builder

pcpartpicker.com

 

[Tatty_Two]

Moved to System builders advice forum.

 

[eidairaman1]

Hello, and thank you for the welcome. Yes it is not my intention to create discord. Maybe we can look at it from a different point of view.
Let's forget about Intel and only focus on the new Ryzen 3000 series. Taking into consideration the "problems" I have mentioned in my post, should I be worried about buying a 3600/3700X, are these CPUs ok?

Do not worry, 3600 and 3700s are performers, meet the needs of users. Remember a better gpu does wonders for games, id grab a sapphire rx5700 pulse, performance of the 5700 can be upped without spending for an xt.

 

[vultusprime]

My 3900X system is just as stable as my 9900k system it also runs cooler and quieter while gaming it's also being pushed less hard but the h115i platinum does a slightly better job on it than my h150i pro does on my 9900k. The R5 3600 is currently a much better buy than any similar intel chip especially considering you're not buying a 2080 ti also.


I would probably go with the XT version of the gpu if it fits in your budget and I just left the case you already put into your list.
You can get an oem windows license for like 15 bucks don't waste 140 of your budget on a retail version.

System Builder

pcpartpicker.com

Hi buddy, thank you for your suggestions. I am curious about the M.2 solid state drive. Is the ADATA better/faster than the Intel 660p?
You think that the Noctua u12s will be better than the U9s at cooling the 3600?
Did you suggest the x570 because it doesn't need to have a bios update. Are the B450 more troublesome? To tell you the truth I feel a little strange using a motherboard with a chipset fan. In the past I had some problems with the fan constantly breaking after 1-2 years.

Moved to System builders advice forum.

sorry for posting in the wrong place

 

[oxrufiioxo]

Hi buddy, thank you for your suggestions. I am curious about the M.2 solid state drive. Is the ADATA better/faster than the Intel 660p?
You think that the Noctua u12s will be better than the U9s at cooling the 3600?
Did you suggest the x570 because it doesn't need to have a bios update. Are the B450 more troublesome? To tell you the truth I feel a little strange using a motherboard with a chipset fan. In the past I had some problems with the fan constantly breaking after 1-2 years.

Tha Asus X570 Tuf has a substantially better power delivery than any B450 board and even most of the X470 boards so my logic is if you ever down the road upgrade to a 12 or 16 core 4000 series cpu your vrm won't be causing you thermal throttling. The B450 Tomahawk Max is the best alternative imo.

The intel drive is slower than the XPG as a boot drive I would go with the XPG over the intel drive for gaming it will not matter. The intel drive uses QLC vs TLC on the Xpg they both will probably last 5+ years for a typical user. Newegg seems to have inaccurate information on the warranty length both drives come with 5 year warranties according to their manufacturer websites.

The u12s will be better than the u9s due to it being a larger cooler. How much better I couldn't say probably 4-5c under heavy load, but considering they're nearly identically priced def go with the u12s as it can handle a stock 3900X no problem.

My chipset fan on my x570 board only comes on during startup otherwise the chipset is never warm enough for it to turn on. I think for most users unless your ambient is stupidly high the chipset fan is a non issue.

 

[biffzinker]

But as of now there are quite a few people still complaining about high temperatures on idle and especially at full load. Some complain of temps in the mid 80s at full load. I read that ZEN2 throttles at 95C and will shut down at 105C. I understand this, but the idea of having my new CPU at 80C only because I am watching a youtube video is worrying.

You shouldn't have an issue with CPU temperatures while just watching a YouTube video. If your CPU temperature is to high then it comes down to a bad mount with the heatsink or poor airflow through the case etc.

My 3600 CPU temperatures watching a YouTube video:

 

[IceShroom]

Avoid Corsair RAM, especially Vengence LPX. Buy RAM from other brand.

 

[Camper7]

Avoid Corsair RAM, especially Vengence LPX. Buy RAM from other brand.

Why? I have used Corsair for years and there was no problem.

 

[dirtyferret]

Why? I have used Corsair for years and there was no problem.

Same

They also get their RAM from Samsung so you would be boycotting at least half the brands out there for your RAM, SSD, GPU, cell phone, router, etc etc

 

[Camper7]

Same

They also get their RAM from Samsung so you would be boycotting at least half the brands out there for your RAM, SSD, GPU, cell phone, router, etc etc

I buy parts based on quality, reliability and price. Brand doesn't matter to me. About GPU is use one brand only for other reasons.

 

[trickson]

I've always liked AMD not as much into Intel. There is ONLY ONE real way to go today that is Ryzen, Intel has great chips and all just not AMAZING. JMHO.

 

[ixi]

It all goes down to how much money do you wanna spend on your upcoming pc and what kind of deals do you get for components . Both will do good in gaming and other stuff.

 

[trickson]

It all goes down to how much money do you wanna spend on your upcoming pc and what kind of deals do you get for components . Both will do good in gaming and other stuff.

Yeah I'm not sure that's the who point of the OP's title.
If it's a question about the better CPU it's as we all know AMD Ryzen they are Absolutely Phenomenal Even the first gen Ryzen chips are just obliterating Intel (popularity wise) no one is talking hey look at this new Intel no it's WHAT THE HECK DOES AMD HAVE FOR US NEXT!
I think that AMD has the best headroom for upgrades than Intel's line up right now. And Intel's line is right now suffering from age and the Ryzen backlash it's just to good of a CHIP to really NOT want one, So Intel just pack's on the speed again (Much like the P4 days when they couldn't hold a candle to the Athlon).
That said best price performance upgrade path and best over all performance for everything from gaming to editing video there is just one word you need to know at this point in time and for the next 10 years and that word is RYZEN!

 

[Zach_01]

R5 3600 here with AIO Corsair H110i 280mm for cooling and liquid metal for TIM.
I dont have a case, my ambient this time is 22C avg and the CPU idles around 28~30, gaming = 48~52C, and max load (CB-R20) = 62C. With AIO's fans (2x140mm) 800~1200rpm.
I expect those temps to go up inside a case with air tower but you should stay under or around 70C for max load. Its more than acceptable.
And keep case under nice airflow. If I had a case I would prefer as many fans as possible with lower rpm, than fewer with high rpm.

Key points of cooling other than a great CPU cooler:
High case air flow
High heat transfer rate between CPU and heatsink, meaning = mount pressure and thermal paste (application and material)

What's your monitor's resolution?
If you have a windows7 key that its not used any more you can use it for win10. Its legit. If not then buy a win10 key online on a sale(under 40$ at least). You can find it even with 10~20$ and save more than 100$ on this to by a bettet GPU and/or something else.
Like +40$ on that GPU will get you a Gigabyte gaming OC 5700XT (~400$). +40 on ram will get you a 3600 kit (100~110$), and prefer a GSkill kit that is on QVL of the board you choose. Corsair ram and ZEN2 are not doing well.

 

[Melvis]

AMD! there is no question its the superior eco system right now.

 

[GhostRyder]

Hello everyone!
This is my first post here, Happy New year.

My aging Sandy Bridge system has been in need of replacing for over two years, but never got round to it. It's always the same, money is needed elsewhere and you keep delaying until your PC is over 8 years old!

I would like to make a premise by saying that I am not a fan of either blue or red team.
True, that all computers I owned in the past, except for one, were Intel. But back in 2006 I got my very first AMD Athlon 64, which was a very good CPU.

Right now I am looking to buy a new computer. It's main purpose is gaming at 1080p, from simple online card games, to triple A titles.
I am not really interested with the performance benefits in other applications. Gaming is where I want my PC to perform at its best.

At first I was going to buy Intel and the choice was between the i5 9600k and the i7 9700k (the 8700k seemed out of stock). But when the new Ryzen were released (3600, 3600x, 3700x) I was very impressed, especially over the Ryzen 5 3600. Here was a budget CPU with plenty of gaming power. It could be paired with a relatively cheap B450 motherboard, unlike the Z390s for Intel.

With any new technology there are always a few rough edges to be smoothed out, so I waited a few months to see what would happen.

But as of now there are quite a few people still complaining about high temperatures on idle and especially at full load. Some complain of temps in the mid 80s at full load. I read that ZEN2 throttles at 95C and will shut down at 105C. I understand this, but the idea of having my new CPU at 80C only because I am watching a youtube video is worrying.

This is the point of this lengthy post, I am worried that after buying a Ryzen 5 3600, or maybe even a 3700X if possible, I will start having problems with high temps and also high core voltages. I am aware that many other people are quite happy with their new Ryzen and temps are in their mid 70s at load. I would be very happy if that was the case with me.

But are these real problems? Is it a good idea to buy a Ryzen 3000 today? Is it a safe choice?

On the other side of the rainbow Intel only has the i7 9700K to offer (the i9 is too expensive and in my opinion unnecessary just to play games).
But even the i7 feels "old" as it is without HT and I'll need to spend more. But it seems more stable and with less problems than the Ryzen 3000, please correct me if I'm mistaken.

These are the parts I'd like to get, but I am a little unease about it. Should I venture into new territory and get the 3600/3700X or stick with Intel and the i7 9700K?

View attachment 141946

I would say AMD, I just did a tiny build using a 3600X and love it (Still love my 8700K main system).

Might I make a few suggestions to your build?
1: I would go with a smaller power supply, 750Watt is overkill (I would say 500-600Range)
2: Put that money towards getting the 5700XT
3: Do you have a windows 7 Key, it will still unlock windows 10 which would remove that cost.
4: Check around, I got my 3600X processor for the price of the 3600, they are on sale a lot I have noticed (Though its not necessary, just saying might wanna look before ordering)
Those are my biggest suggestions at the moment, but its a solid looking build!

 

[moproblems99]

Zen 2 cpus mess with voltages at idle quite a bit so I would get the largest cooler you can get to smooth out those fan oscillations. I would also go with the 5700xt to get you some longevity.

With the new consoles coming out I think there will be a graphics jump soon that will knock down gpus a peg or two. Graphic requirements have been kind of coasting the last few years so I may buy a little higher in anticipation of this.