Choose between Ryzen 7 3700X and Intel i7 9700K based on your needs.
Choose between Ryzen 7 3700X and Intel i7 9700K based on your needs.
With the new Ryzens out, it seemed like a good moment to upgrade my old i5 4590 to a more recent processor. My main goals are competitive gaming—especially Fortnite at top FPS—and occasionally playing some high-end triple A titles (I’m really looking forward to Cyberpunk). I’ve checked benchmarks and found the Ryzen 7 3700X consistently outperforms both the i9 and i7 in most non-gaming tests. However, for gaming at 1080p on a 144Hz monitor, the i7 9700K seems to provide better performance and higher FPS than its rivals. With this in mind, I’m trying to decide which CPU to buy. Any suggestions would be great! Thanks!
Reaching over 400FPS is achievable, and the choice depends on your needs. The 3700X looks strong for competitive play, especially if it maintains steady 144FPS performance, which benchmarks suggest it can do reliably.
The unique choice? Check multiple references for confirmation. I've noticed several sources indicating the 3700x and 9700k deliver similar performance. More affordable boards can also run the 3700x at higher speeds, while AMD offers a stronger current setup.
The Ryzen 7 3700X offers much better value compared to the i7 9700K in terms of performance. With a budget-friendly B450 motherboard and the built-in cooler, it delivers solid capabilities—especially for high refresh rates around 144fps when paired with fast memory. The i7 9700K demands a more expensive aftermarket cooler and Z390 boards to reach its full potential, which can make it costlier despite slightly better gaming performance. The price gap between these two is minimal given the narrow performance difference, making the R7 3700X a clear choice unless you prefer sticking with Intel for that premium feel.
No problem at all! I was also thinking about getting an H115i along with the X570 board.
You might purchase a H115i for its appearance. However, it offers limited value overall. If silence is your priority, consider alternatives like the NH-D15 or Dark Rock Pro 4. From a cooling perspective, the difference with the Zen 2 chip isn't substantial. The main advantage lies in the GPU, as most games today rely heavily on graphics performance. For streaming, NVENC remains the top choice.