Which one is simpler—OC Intel or Ryzen?
Which one is simpler—OC Intel or Ryzen?
OC newbie here - from a performance standpoint (gaming and photo editing), both the i7-8700k and R7-2700x seem quite similar. I intend to make some gentle overclocking on the CPU, RAM, and GPU, and since I'm not experienced with this yet, do you know if there are any differences in the steps for Intel versus AMD? Any other tips would be really helpful.
They vary a lot because of their design and the labeling in the BIOS. If we're focused on which is easier to overclock, both are straightforward as long as you understand what you're doing. A naive person might feel like they're being chased, while a more thoughtful individual will move cautiously.
They vary a lot because of their design and the labeling in the BIOS. If we're focusing on which one is easier to overclock, both are straightforward as long as you understand what you're doing. A naive person might think they're in trouble, but a more thoughtful individual will navigate carefully.
So here’s your setup info:
CPU: i7-3770 3.4GHz
Motherboard: Asus P8H77-V
RAM: 16GB DDR3
Storage: Samsung 830 256GB (OS & apps), 1TB WD Black HDD 7200RPM
GPU: EVGA GTX 650 ti boost
Power Supply: Seasonic Focus+ 650W Gold*
Case: FD Define R6*
Operating System: W10 Pro 64bit
Appreciate the feedback. For the platform, I’ll share my current configuration. I’ve begun upgrading a few components (*). Thanks!
Intel's overclocking process is quite straightforward, much like choosing a few daisies. I lack experience with Ryzen chips. On my 6600k, I used ASUS overclocking tools to increase the multiplier until it became stable. After that, I adjusted the BIOS settings permanently and removed the ASUS software. For my 6600k, I upgraded from stock to a stable 4400MHz. My belief is that the 8000 series usually has less headroom but tends to run at higher speeds by default.
What I've read about Ryzen suggests that the Infinity Fabric works better with faster memory, so upgrading RAM can help achieve better overclocks. Intel systems don't appear to be as flexible in this regard. Generally, though, I think Intel systems are pricier. You might end up spending more on RAM or opting for a higher-end Intel product.
If you plan to do video editing or intensive design tasks, I recommend Intel. You could get more value in terms of memory capacity for the same cost compared to Ryzen, where you might need significantly more for similar speeds.
But please note, I'm not an expert on the cost differences, benefits, or overclock potential between AMD and Intel. If anyone has corrections or additional insights, I'd appreciate hearing them.
On a 2700x configuration with an B450/x470 chipset, you really don’t need to overclock much. XFR2 and PB2 provide a solid performance boost when paired with adequate cooling. The Ryzen won’t overclock significantly beyond its boost frequency—ideal speeds should hover around 4.2-4.3GHz, increasing to all cores only when necessary. YMMW is mainly due to the silicone lottery, but in practice, benchmarks improve by just about 5% when setting the frequency to 4.225GHz (the most stable I’ve achieved). This difference is barely perceptible under normal conditions. In-game, it can drop performance by as much as 1 FPS!
CountMike shared insights on optimizing performance with this configuration. He noted that with good cooling, XFR2 and PB2 can significantly enhance speed, especially when the Ryzen reaches its boost frequency of around 4.2-4.3GHz. He mentioned that even a small increase in frequency won’t hurt much and that it might only noticeably affect gameplay. He also questioned whether investing more upfront is better than the current setup.
A better path if you really need to OC but I'm unsure why you'd do that if it can improve enough on its own. If it wasn't a non-x model, OC would make more sense. With the setup I have now, it outperforms the i7 8700k by up to 4.8-4.9GHz when OC-ed, especially in multi-core tests, and it slightly lags in single-thread performance. My latest CB score is 1964 points and the PT test is 18890 points.
CountryMike provided insights on performance differences based on OC settings. He noted that with OC, the i7 8700K performs better than expected, especially in multi-core tests, and shows slight gains in single-thread benchmarks. He also mentioned his recent scores: 1964 points and 18890 points in PT tests. He clarified a misunderstanding about CPU versions and their impact on results.
All Ryzen models remain unlocked, yet X models are placed in higher categories, which contributes to better overclocking and increased boost performance. This adjustment doesn't affect overall results unless you aim for competitive overclocking. In that scenario, delidded Intel would push higher settings. Otherwise, they maintain a similar average performance for real-world use.
CountMike summarized the situation clearly. All Ryzen chips are unlocked, but X models are grouped higher, which leads to better overclocking and higher boost performance. This doesn’t affect their overall value unless you aim for competitive OC. In that case, delidded Intel would likely provide a higher boost than the current setup. Otherwise, they perform similarly in practical terms. Based on this and earlier discussions, an AMD 'x' path could match or even surpass the performance of an OC'd 8700k, offering simpler and more cost-effective options.