AMD or Intel.

Hey, there. I'm planning on buying a new Desktop. I already have a PC which has an i5, 6th Gen, Intel Processor. I really like it, I think it runs my video games just fine. In my search for a Desktop I have found that there are different processors both by Intel and AMD. I have never tried AMD because of two reasons: 1. they are very uncommon in my country and 2. I don't even know how to read the info of the processor, its Gen and so on; which I can clearly do with Intel's Processors. All in all, this discussion goes to three points or questions specifically:

1. If anyone knows how to read the info of an AMD processor, I'd appreciate if you shared your knowledge.

2. What processor do you personally use? Why? And, do you recommend it?

3. What do you think of AMD and Intel's processors and which brand do you think that has the processors that are more appropriate for gaming?

Thanks a lot for your answers. Please, note that by answering you're helping and very confused and troubled mind.

For the past 10 years or so, Intel had the upper hand in the CPU side. AMD made a good comeback with Ryzen but not enough to take back the lead.

You can't really "read" directly, best way to compare them is to use gaming benchmarks

1. Here is some info on the latest AMD consumer-level CPU SKUs: https://www.anandtech.com/show/12642/amd-ryzen-2nd-gen-details-4-skus-reviews-19th

2. I use an Intel i7-6700K. I chose this chip because I built my computer in 2015 and there wasn't any competition from AMD yet. It was the best choice for a high end gaming rig without being super expensive. I would recommend it or the latest gen equivalent. The i7-8700K has 6 cores/12 threads and has a max single clock speed of 4.5. However, the Ryzen 7 2700X is also a compelling choice for $20 less. Here are some benchmarks comparing the two: https://www.techspot.com/review/1655-core-i7-8700k-vs-ryzen-7-2700x/

3. I think as we move into the future, AMD will continue to improve and eventually become an equal, if not better choice than Intel. I really think you can't go wrong with either for gaming at this point.

Some considerations:

• If you go with Ryzen, it will benefit more from faster memory than Intel's offering.
• PCIe lanes look about the same between the two, but it looks like Ryzen has an extra 4 dedicated to NVMe SSDs.
• Intel's i7-8700K has a slight edge in clock speed and will allow for more overclocking if you're looking to get into that.

If you already have a PC with a 6th gen Intel CPU you probably don't need to build another system as those are fine and your bottleneck is likely to still be your GPU for gaming. If anything you can just upgrade the CPU to an i7-6700k (or non-K variant if you don't have a Z-series motherboard). That should hold you over until games start requiring a lot of cores.

Both Intel and AMD offer good CPU's. I chose Intel because I could reuse the CPU cooler I had and I didn't have to worry about RAM. AMDs' are a little picky with memory, and their overall performance is more dependent on memory speed than Intels. For standard 1080p 60 fps gaming you can go either way, 2600X is probably the best offer from AMD, and from Intel, well, any hexa core CPU, depending on what you need.

AMD if you don't want to pay for central heating in the winter.

Funny how the tides have turned.

I'll choose AMD for the sake of less shady business practice, and they really made a product for the people in hand with turning a profit as oppose to profit first with Intel. They charge the premium because they can and only release a better, more bang for buck cpu only because AMD started to become competitive again.

Their AM4 socket also has a promised lengthy life til 2020 as oppose Intel where its uncertain if their socket will even make it pass 1 generation.

one thing to note is that the core I5 6th gen is still a great processor for gaming. if the new desktop is for yourself then i wouldnt bother changing it.

if you want better gaming performance then you would be far better off by upgrading the GPU (which you didnt list).

as noted above the best way to compare them is benchmarks. just looking at specs wont do much as not everything is like for like.

Ah right, wow that's interesting.

In truth I'm pretty out of the loop when it comes to PC stuff these days, and was mostly just parroting an old joke. Which would you say offers the best value these days? As far as I understand it, Intel typically tended to offer better single core performance, while AMD's cpus gave you more cores for the money. Not sure if that is still the case however.

Of course there's also the question of long term reliability which you touched upon.

AMD, sockets are easy. AM2/3/4 etc. Intel 775/1366 etc/

So AMD is for dummies and Intel is for smart people?...lol.

@saintsatan: amd just seems more organized, even when it comes to cpu's.

Yeah it is an old joke. Their bulldozer lineup was a joke so it was deservedly so. Nowadays their cpu runs cooler than intel's, intel actually had a little fiasco with them telling people to stop pushing their chips so much. Intel uses cheap thermal paste between the heatspreader and the chip itself, amd still uses soldered on method which is better.

I think the 2600x is pretty good bang for buck these days. 6core/12threads.

Intel definitely has the edge still with single core. While Amd is giving you more cores and/or threads for the same price, so they make up the weaker ipc. In other words you can see their lineup has 6c/12t going up against intel's 6core/6t cpu for the same price point.

@pyro1245: Thanks a lot for your help. It has really helped clearing yo my mind. I have been reading some info regarding the development of both Intel and AMD and I as far as I have read, even if Intel has some more experience and thus some better products; AMD is advancing fast and offering some more complete Processors in terms of the Graphics performance and so. I really appreciate your help.

@osan0: The problem is that I already have a Portable Computer. This is the computer I mentioned firstly. I'm looking forward to migrating into a Desktop because of two reasons. 1. I'm sick of getting the batteries of my PCs broken after a year or so of having bought them. And 2. I think it's mucho more comfortable to play on a Desktop than a Laptop. I'm trying to sell the one I already have and gain some money to complete for a new desktop.

Pd. Thanks a lot for the heads-up on the benchmarks. I'll start to have them more into account from now on.

amd

AMD all the way, they're cheaper, almost just as powerful as the Intel counterpart in single core (something like 7% to 10% less) and usually outperforms Intel in multi-core tasks. Plus AMD is doing a great job of letting people upgrade their CPU without having to buy a new motherboard and promising to keep the same socket until 2020. Not to mention Intel is a shady company that has been found guilty of using anti competitive and illegal business practices.

@thetwofaceguy: Moved to Hardware forum

Whatever gives the best performance for the price, hence AMD!

If you're on more of a budget....AMD

If you've the extra money go with Intel you normally get a slightly better performance out of them

their thread ripper 2 32 core is a beast for the price. amd