AMD or Intel for mid-range

[zeroxx1123]

Hi guys,

I'm looking to build my first gaming PC for equivalent of 1000 USD (including monitor)
I'm currently considering going with AMD, but for my market (Vietnam) Intel seems to be more dominant, leading to better pricing.
From what I see in the review, the 13400F is 15% less gaming performance compare to the 7600.
But at 39% discount, is it worth it? I can save a bit and put it toward a better GPU Like a 7700 XT.
Please let me know your take on this.
Here's my 2 planned builds:
AMD:

Parts	VND	USD
CPU: Ryzen 5 7600	4,500,000​	176.26​
Mobo: Asrock B650M PG Lightning WiFi DDR5	3,549,000​	139.01​
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws S5 32GB (2x16GB) CL36 6000MHz	2,499,000​	97.88​
GPU: Zotac RTX 4060	7,289,000​	285.51​
SSD: Kingston NV2 250GB	750,000​	29.38​
Monitor: AOC 24G4E/74	2,890,000​	113.20​
PSU: MSI MAG A750BN PCIE5	1,499,000​	58.72​
Case: Xigmatek Hero II Air 3F	590,000​	23.11​
Cooler: Thermalright Assassin X 120 Refined SE ARGB	320,000​	12.53​
Total	23,886,000​	936​

Intel:

Parts	VND	USD
CPU: Core I5 13400F	2,739,000​	107.29
Mobo: Asrock B760M Pro RS WiFi DDR5	3,290,000​	128.87
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws S5 32GB (2x16GB) CL36 6000MHz	2,499,000​	97.88
GPU: Zotac RTX 4060	7,289,000​	285.51
SSD: Kingston NV2 250GB	750,000​	29.38
Monitor: AOC 24G4E/74	2,890,000​	113.20
PSU: MSI MAG A750BN PCIE5	1,499,000​	58.72
Case: Xigmatek Hero II Air 3F	590,000​	23.11
Cooler: Thermalright Assassin X 120 Refined SE ARGB	320,000​	12.53
Total	21,866,000​	856

 

[Fuzzi0n]

AMD offers you more of an upgrade path because you can just drop a new CPU in at some point, Intel not so much. If you're more likely to completely change platform when you upgrade in the future then Intel is a potential way of saving some money for better stuff elsewhere.

Few things to look at, on the AMD side see if you can get a 7500F instead, they're often a lot cheaper than the 7600 and basically the same other than no iGPU. I'd also look and see if you can get the ASRock B650M-HDV/M.2 as that's basically the best budget board. On the Intel side you could look at the 12600K instead of the 13400F if it's better on price, or the 12400F if you were to get a ASRock B760M PG Riptide as you'd be able to overclock it.

GPU wise a 7700 XT would offer you a decent boost over a 4060. Maybe worth trying to get a higher end PSU too if you have the budget and possibly a larger M.2 drive as the bigger drives are usually better value when it comes to price/capacity. Either build will be a good enough that you'll be able to play a bunch of recent games on with pretty high settings.

 

[zeroxx1123]

AMD offers you more of an upgrade path because you can just drop a new CPU in at some point, Intel not so much. If you're more likely to completely change platform when you upgrade in the future then Intel is a potential way of saving some money for better stuff elsewhere.

Few things to look at, on the AMD side see if you can get a 7500F instead, they're often a lot cheaper than the 7600 and basically the same other than no iGPU. I'd also look and see if you can get the ASRock B650M-HDV/M.2 as that's basically the best budget board. On the Intel side you could look at the 12600K instead of the 13400F if it's better on price, or the 12400F if you were to get a ASRock B760M PG Riptide as you'd be able to overclock it.

GPU wise a 7700 XT would offer you a decent boost over a 4060. Maybe worth trying to get a higher end PSU too if you have the budget and possibly a larger M.2 drive as the bigger drives are usually better value when it comes to price/capacity. Either build will be a good enough that you'll be able to play a bunch of recent games on with pretty high settings.

They have the 7500F for ~150 but I couldn’t find any review about it, so I don’t know how it’ll perform. (My target resolution is 1080p btw).
I need wifi on the board, ‘cause I can’t easily route an ethernet cable to my room.
I have another SSD, but I need to purchase one from them to buy the CPU at those price.

 

[Countryside]

+1 to Ryzen build you will have more upgrade options in the future

and for the ssd get at least an 512gb i recommend the NV3

 

[alwayssts]

I second/third/fourth/fifth the 7500F combo; precisely for the upgrade rationality. Good rec on the board. I think Gigglebyte/MSI make some decent cheap boards w/ wifi?
I haven't used Asrock, personally, but I have no doubt they are fine for your use, if not better than GB/MSI (at least in price/features/perf). Listen to others in that department, as I don't buy the cheapest mobos.

As for a GPU, I have such a hard time recommending below a 6800xt/7800xt. I just can't in good faith ask people to buy something that won't last at least a little while for a good experience (which 4060 is not).
I've always suggested if you're really hurting for cash to buy a used 2080ti on Ebay and OC, or perhaps a A770/B580 if used makes you uncomfortable, but it's getting pretty close to the point you really want 16GB.
Good perf doesn't *have* to be expensive. There are 6800xt/7800xt's out there on Ebay for a fairly decent price ($300-350) sometimes, and 9070 might drop in price to something more reasonable at some point as well...which *could* make those even cheaper. I'd BOLO for what you can afford in that rough bracket...6800xt or better. If you need to, buy a CPU with integrated graphics (like a 7600) and commit to a decent GPU when you find a good deal.

I also would suggest a 120hz(+)/IPS/1440p monitor. You don't have to get anything fancy; a cheap LG is fine (similar price to 1080p), but I think it would make your typical computer life much better, gaming or not.
You can always upscale (what they call 'quality' up-scaling with FSR/DLSS), which requires similar (less, actually) performance to 1080p native and should still look better than 1080p, if you can't play 1440p native.

As far as SSD, I think you'll find yourself wanting at least 1-2TB. Again, it doesn't have to be the most expensive drive in existence, but a good balance on getting best speed and having space for games/stuff.
There are many good options and the best deal often changes. I'd check reviews/top ten lists and current prices for best deals, which I haven't lately.
Last time I bought, I went Solidigm P44, which is similar to a Hynix P41, which I also own. I haven't looked lately to see if those still hold up; you might be able to find something better/better value, but good drives.

Lastly, I would try to scoop up a RAM kit that is CL30/6000, if not CL28. Even if someone isn't a tweaker, those will add quite a bit of perf on their own at stock vs higher latency, with minimal added cost.

I hope those recommendations do not break your budget, but I think they are worth-while upgrades at minimal extra cost that will improve your experience greatly.

Good recs, Fuzzi, except I'm not really a fan of the 7700xt (lots of cheaper cards with similar overall performance, and not 'quite' good-enough to be a decent 1440p card).

GLHF.

 

[Why_Me]

They have the 7500F for ~150 but I couldn’t find any review about it, so I don’t know how it’ll perform. (My target resolution is 1080p btw).
I need wifi on the board, ‘cause I can’t easily route an ethernet cable to my room.
I have another SSD, but I need to purchase one from them to buy the CPU at those price.

What country are you located?

AMD Ryzen 5 7500F review: a great value gaming CPU if you can get it

Digital Foundry tests the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D CPU vs the Intel Core i9 13900K and AMD's own 7950X3D - which is the fastest gaming CPU?

www.eurogamer.net

AMD Ryzen 5 7500F: The Most Affordable Zen 4 CPU

The Ryzen 5 7500F is AMD's most affordable Zen 4-based CPU, though it's still a bit of an elusive offering, in this review we'll be comparing it...

www.techspot.com

 

[zeroxx1123]

I'll revise my build a bit.
The thing is, these CPU prices only happen if I basically buy a complete PC from from (CPU, mobo, ram, SSD, GPU, PSU)
If not, the 7500F will be 200$ instead of 150$.

Parts	VND	USD
CPU: Ryzen 5 7500F	3,790,000	148.45
Mobo: Gigabyte B650M GAMING PLUS WIFI DDR5	3,480,000	136.31
RAM: ADATA LANCER BLADE DDR5 Kit 32GB (16GBx2) 6000Mhz Black RGB AX5U6000C3016G (The SKU suggests them to be CL30)	2,880,000	112.81
SSD: Kingston NV2 250GB (I'll install my ssd later)	750,000	29.38
GPU: (Need to buy for discount CPU) Zotac RTX 4060	7,289,000	285.51
Monitor: AOC 24G4E/74 (1080p, 165Hz)	2,890,000	113.20
PSU: (Need to decide, these have the same price point) MSI MAG A750BN PCIE5 Corsair CX CX750 Thermalright TR-KG750 NZXT C750 Bronze Asus TUF GAMING 750B Corsair CV750 Thermalright 750W TG-750	~1,500,000	58.75
Case: Xigmatek Hero II Air 3F	590,000	23.11
Cooler: Thermalright Assassin X 120 Refined SE ARGB	320,000	12.53
Total	23,489,000	920.05

 

[alwayssts]

What country are you located?

AMD Ryzen 5 7500F review: a great value gaming CPU if you can get it

Digital Foundry tests the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D CPU vs the Intel Core i9 13900K and AMD's own 7950X3D - which is the fastest gaming CPU?

www.eurogamer.net

AMD Ryzen 5 7500F: The Most Affordable Zen 4 CPU

The Ryzen 5 7500F is AMD's most affordable Zen 4-based CPU, though it's still a bit of an elusive offering, in this review we'll be comparing it...

www.techspot.com

Pssttt...aliexpress....psst.

 

[zeroxx1123]

Thank you.
The Techspot article didn't show up when I search "ryzen 5 7500F review" on Google

What country are you located?

AMD Ryzen 5 7500F review: a great value gaming CPU if you can get it

Digital Foundry tests the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D CPU vs the Intel Core i9 13900K and AMD's own 7950X3D - which is the fastest gaming CPU?

www.eurogamer.net

AMD Ryzen 5 7500F: The Most Affordable Zen 4 CPU

The Ryzen 5 7500F is AMD's most affordable Zen 4-based CPU, though it's still a bit of an elusive offering, in this review we'll be comparing it...

www.techspot.com

 

[Why_Me]

Pssttt...aliexpress....psst.

Vietnam (I'm slow).

 

[alwayssts]

Vietnam (I'm slow).

We love everyone.

I'm just sayin' they have them and will ship anywhere.

 

[Why_Me]

We love everyone.

I'm just sayin' they have them and will ship anywhere.

Lots of 7500F + board combo deals.

https://www.aliexpress.com/w/wholesale-amd-ryzen-5-7500f.html?spm=a2g0o.home.auto_suggest.1.650c76dbMCAfsh

 

[AusWolf]

If you're on Windows 10 or Linux, I'd suggest AMD. Intel's two different cores require some software scheduling magic that works best in Windows 11.

Other than that, it's up to personal preference in my opinion. You can't go wrong with either.