Both options are available at comparable costs.
Both options are available at comparable costs.
He has a choice between an i7-10700K and a R5-5600X, both priced similarly. For his needs—primarily Flight Simulator 2020 and VR—the R5-5600X seems more suitable due to its higher IPC, though the 10700K offers more cores and threads. Any advice on which to choose would be welcome.
I really appreciate how my 5600x is doing thus far. It depends a lot on the team you support. Intel has become the affordable choice now, but I’d choose 5600x fully.
When gaming, your friend relies heavily on YouTube or Twitch while using the i7 processor. Keeping Chrome minimized and other distractions helps determine performance. I’d consider upgrading to a 10700f or moving to a 10850k, which was around $329 for a microcenter—though availability might have changed. If you can afford an I9 for $50 more, it’s a solid choice; it will likely sell for about $50 more later, offering great speed with no ongoing costs. Many overlook that i9s generally outperform even Ryzen 9s unless you’re playing competitive esports.
Both processors offer similar performance levels. The AMD model generates less warmth, potentially extending its lifespan. The main factor influencing results is the quality of the motherboard being used. You might be able to install a 5600x on a more budget-friendly B450, though you'll miss out on PCIe 4.0 features. A solid LGA1200 setup will cost a bit more.
The MSI B550 Pro works well at 5600x and is reasonably priced, similar to the B450 lineup. It’s a good value without breaking the bank.
I'm in favor of sticking to 300-series boards with no exceptions, and even 400-series if you already have one. I might think about selling a 400-series board. Many users have encountered minor issues on older models with Zen 3, including micro stuttering and various IO/connectivity problems. The B550 is actually more up-to-date than the x570, fixing most of those quirks, so if you don't require the x570 PCIe design, a B550 board would be a solid choice.
The 500 series chipset will remain available on AMD for a longer time. Consider upgrading to a premium board such as the B550 Taichi or X570 Taichi to ensure future upgrade options, especially with Intel likely releasing a new chipset for the 12th generation.
AM4 is finished with Zen3. You'll need a new motherboard and probably DDR5. I'm looking at a 10850k, and it looks like it's around $319 at various places. If you add another $40, it becomes a solid choice over the 10700k/5600x. It offers 10 cores and 20 threads, making it faster than the 5600x/10700k in most cases. It should help avoid the need for an upgrade in a few years. I really believe the 10850k is the better option at this price point. When you think about the games, it stands out—true Ryzen CPUs are among the fastest globally. The only real competition is the Ryzen 9s 5900x/5950x, and Intel i9s actually outperform the 5600x/5800x. The 10850k is a $450 10-core I9 model on sale for $319, while the 5600x 6-core is essentially a $250 model marked up to $279. Also, when you upgrade later, the 10850k is likely to sell for about $40 more than a 5600x/10700k within a few years. Your friend will appreciate the savings and the improved performance throughout.
The 10850K offers a solid price, but including tax and the 3070 raises the budget slightly. I aim to convince him to consider the 10850k despite this.