I5-13600K or R7-7700X
I5-13600K or R7-7700X
The title you’re considering really helps you decide. Mostly I rely on my PC for gaming and plan to upgrade from an i7-8700K. While it’s still a solid chip, I think a bit more speed would help since I recently upgraded my GPU from GTX 1080 Ti to an RX 6900 XT. From the benchmarks I’ve seen, the CPU might be the limiting factor in some games at 1440p. I play at that resolution, so both CPUs seem capable but I’m leaning toward something a little faster.
I’m thinking about getting the Corsair Vengeance, DDR5-6000, XMP 3.0, CL36 with 32 GB RAM for around 186€. My Intel system already has the Corsair Vengeance LX 3000MHz at 32GB, so I could reuse it. I’d also need a new cooling solution, like the Noctua NH-D15, and just a mounting kit.
On the other hand, there’s a possibility of boosting performance with DDR5 on an Intel setup as well. But I’m still unsure about the best path forward.
It varies by game; some require scaling while others don't. Generally, most support noticeable scaling, especially at low settings, and it performs better than AMD's approach. Both configurations work well side by side. The AMD build offers more future upgradability, like adding an X3D chip or a next-gen Ryzen, but the Intel version is solid too. I’d likely choose Intel for speed with DDR5, though it’s mostly a guess.
The Gigabyte B650 boards are priced similarly to the MSI MAG models you have. If you're able to reuse your DDR4 memory, switching to the 13600K makes sense. The DDR5 upgrade isn't a major advantage or disadvantage. Saving 183 dollars is more than enough to cover any minor RAM improvements. I'd opt for the 7700X with the 6900XT (I've used it) and turn on SAM. The performance from Intel should be comparable, while the AMD setup has proven reliable so far. It's not a risky choice either way.
I don’t mind the upgrade route much because I intend to keep the CPU for around six years, just like I did with the 8700K. By then, both AMD and Intel will likely shift the platform.
I don't favor Gigabyte items much. My experience has been mostly disappointing, which is why I avoid them altogether. I heard Msi MBs are solid and I was also checking Asus TUF. The main thing I'm weighing is whether to upgrade to DDR4 or DDR5 memory. If I ever need to upgrade later, I'd have to replace the motherboard as well. So I'm still unsure about my next move but might lean toward DDR5 from the start. I've always used Intel systems so far and was considering AMD, but the new Intel processors are really impressive and their software is better. That means I could end up going back to Intel. I switched from NVIDIA GPUs to AMD ones, though, which has left a bit of a gap in my PC setup. Still, I haven't faced any problems with AMD CPUs.
I agree with Gigabyte's stance, that's their decision. Regarding moving from DDR4 to DDR5... it doesn't exist yet. DDR4 still performs well, and you won't need to switch until you replace your whole system in about 5-6 years. Many are discussing DDR4 setups, but benchmarks haven't proven it's worth the transition just yet. I'm leaning toward AMD this time because of Nvidia's issues, so I picked a 6900xt from Microcenter. Their 7700x with free DDR5 made things simple. If you can afford it, go for the 13700K with DDR5. If budget is tight, consider the 13600K using your existing RAM. Unless you have a nearby Microcenter.
I have some limitations and prefer not to go beyond the higher tier CPU. Usually I choose an i7, but this time it feels a bit too costly. Maybe I’ll stick with my RAM instead. I’ll make my decision later, as you mentioned I could save a lot there. No microcentr, I live in the EU.
I just got the 13700K and Corsair Vengeance DDR5 6000MHz RAM with the MSI Tomahawk board. It’s not perfect, but I’m sticking with it. I was always on an i7, and switching to an i5 would make it feel outdated faster. Here’s hoping for another five years with better CPUs soon.