My First PC Build – Intel vs AMD for Work and Gaming

[lexluthermiester]

@hmn888 so no ECC memory for productivity? You're bold.

Please explain.

 

[AleXXX666]

Hello everyone,
I’m planning to build my first PC and have put together two parts lists while waiting for good deals.
The PC will be primarily used for work with Adobe programs (especially After Effects) and some 3D work.
I also enjoy gaming, so I want to build a system that can handle both tasks efficiently.
I’m undecided between an AMD or Intel CPU. I’m leaning towards Intel since I’ve always used Intel processors.
However, I’ve heard a lot about issues with the latest 13th and 14th generation Intel CPUs. Are these issues resolved now?
Can I confidently build a stable system with Intel after applying BIOS updates and undervolting?
I haven’t found much solid information on this, and most discussions are either “Intel is bad” or “AMD is the better choice.”
I would love to hear from experienced people about their thoughts on this. Also, I’d appreciate any feedback on the rest of
the components in my build. Below are the two parts lists I’ve put together. My budget is around 2,000 Euros.

Intel System:​

https://de.pcpartpicker.com/list/rq26sp

• CPU: Intel Core i7-14700K 3.4 GHz 20-Core Processor
• CPU Cooler: be quiet! Pure Loop 2 Liquid CPU Cooler
• Motherboard: MSI PRO Z790-P WIFI ATX LGA1700
• Memory: Corsair Vengeance 64 GB (2 x 32 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30
• Storage: Samsung 980 Pro 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 NVMe
• Video Card: Gigabyte WINDFORCE OC GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER 16 GB
• Case: be quiet! Silent Base 802 ATX Mid Tower
• Power Supply: MSI MAG A850GL PCIE5 850 W 80+ Gold Fully Modular

AMD System:​

https://de.pcpartpicker.com/list/R4LdXR

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 7900X 4.7 GHz 12-Core Processor
• CPU Cooler: be quiet! Pure Loop 2 Liquid CPU Cooler
• Motherboard: MSI B650 GAMING PLUS WIFI ATX AM5
• Memory: Corsair Vengeance 64 GB (2 x 32 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30
• Storage: Samsung 980 Pro 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 NVMe
• Video Card: Gigabyte WINDFORCE OC GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER 16 GB
• Case: be quiet! Silent Base 802 ATX Mid Tower
• Power Supply: MSI MAG A850GL PCIE5 850 W 80+ Gold Fully Modular

Which system would you recommend based on a balance of gaming and productivity?
Also, if you have any insights on the CPU choice or potential issues with either, I would love to hear them.
Thanks in advance for your help!

why top-tier chipset for Intel and midrange for AMD? just for OC?

 

[azrael]

Please explain.

From what I can tell OP uses their system more for work than play. While I would agree that any potential memory corruption doesn't matter that much on a gaming rig, the opposite is true for work. And with memory sizes getting ever bigger and memory getting ever faster, so does the risk of memory corruption increase. There's a reason why DDR5 mandates On-Die ECC. However, On-Die ECC isn't "proper" ECC in that it doesn't protect against errors in transit.

But maybe OP doesn't care about all these things. I just wanted to put that out there. And yes, ECC is a pet cause of mine. Too many people just disregard it as unnecessary, when it actually isn't.

 

[Waldorf]

Not really much to do with "work", as i dont need ecc for doing "office", reports, and online training.
Ignoring i can run ram at jedec, and/or check sys stability to the point im not worried about using non-ecc ram.

 

[Devon68]

Seeing that you already ordered the parts I guess it's too late to say to stay away from msi motherboards ( dont remember quite exactly why but there was a big scandal about msi), and get a psu from a more reputable psu vendor. IMO Thermaltake is good at cases not at psu's. I had a 500w thoughpower crap out on me. BUT that is my experience it does not mean it will be yours as well.
Welcome to the PC.
Also curious you said in your first post that you use after effects. How do you use it if this is your first pc. On what did you run it before?

 

[lexluthermiester]

From what I can tell OP uses their system more for work than play. While I would agree that any potential memory corruption doesn't matter that much on a gaming rig, the opposite is true for work. And with memory sizes getting ever bigger and memory getting ever faster, so does the risk of memory corruption increase. There's a reason why DDR5 mandates On-Die ECC. However, On-Die ECC isn't "proper" ECC in that it doesn't protect against errors in transit.

But maybe OP doesn't care about all these things. I just wanted to put that out there. And yes, ECC is a pet cause of mine. Too many people just disregard it as unnecessary, when it actually isn't.

ECC is handy but not an absolutely necessity unless you're doing critical compute on CPU.

 

[azrael]

ECC is handy but not an absolutely necessity unless you're doing critical compute on CPU.

That's your take on it. Also, isn't all work critical to a point?

 

[lexluthermiester]

That's your take on it.

It's a take shared by an entire sector of the computing industry or ALL RAM would be ECC by default.

Also, isn't all work critical to a point?

To a point. OS level software error checking is really very impressive these days.

 

[Vayra86]

Most has been said, but I would strongly suggest to stay miles away from the bad Intel generations, and I would give the Lunar Lake architecture a good 3 months in the wild before jumping on it too. And that's already pushing it, in my book.

If you do work and consider that important on the PC, you want certainty, reliability. Intel does not offer this at this moment in time. They need to rebuild their track record / prove this degradation affair was a one-time issue. That takes time - not numerous press releases with promises and guarantees . Not taking that time as a consumer is simply diving into uncertainty. Its up to you whether you can or cannot live with that of course. It took several months for the previous issue to pop up too - first weeks are WTF, then comes the acceptance period, and then the reality sinks in because Intel proved they can't really fix it, degradation is irreversible, etc. There are no guarantees whatsoever the problem is eradicated entirely.

The best budget beast would probably be a 7950X based system. It will play all games. It has high thread count. Its reliable, and its not new, meaning you aren't paying the early adoption pricing, seeing as you are on a budget. But yeah, that's where I'd start right now. Its risk free, and the products still exist, while being slowly replaced with improved versions, so there's a lot of opportunity there for good deals.

 

[hmn888]

why top-tier chipset for Intel and midrange for AMD? just for OC?

The only reason is my budget. Unfortunately, AMD chips cost much more than Intel ones in Germany.

Seeing that you already ordered the parts I guess it's too late to say to stay away from msi motherboards ( dont remember quite exactly why but there was a big scandal about msi), and get a psu from a more reputable psu vendor. IMO Thermaltake is good at cases not at psu's. I had a 500w thoughpower crap out on me. BUT that is my experience it does not mean it will be yours as well.
Welcome to the PC.
Also curious you said in your first post that you use after effects. How do you use it if this is your first pc. On what did you run it before?

@Waldorf gave me great advice, so I ended up buying a PSU from Corsair, specifically, the Corsair RM850x 850 W 80+ Gold. I've been working on a low-end PC for years now. Surprisingly, it still handles heavy After Effects projects, albeit with preview quality set to quarter resolution. For rendering, however, I still rely on my work computer at the office.

 

[Waldorf]

yeah, great unit, worth it to invest in stable power.

 

[azrael]

It's a take shared by an entire sector of the computing industry or ALL RAM would be ECC by default.

To a point. OS level software error checking is really very impressive these days.

An industry that, like all other, tries to save every penny/cent/whatever they possibly can.

But I actually don't want to argue about this. I just wanted OP to think hard about what they value. In the end it's all their decision.

 

[AleXXX666]

yeah, great unit, worth it to invest in stable power.

SeaSonic is never worse...

The only reason is my budget. Unfortunately, AMD chips cost much more than Intel ones in Germany.

just quick look:

https://www.computeruniverse.net/en/c/hardware-components/intel-motherboards?sortBy=BTA-Prod-ComputerUniverse_price_asc&refinementList%5Bfacets.Chipsatz.values%5D%5B0%5D=Intel%20Z790&refinementList%5Bfacets.Arbeitsspeicher-Typ.values%5D%5B0%5D=DDR5

https://www.computeruniverse.net/en/c/hardware-components/amd-motherboards?sortBy=BTA-Prod-ComputerUniverse_price_asc&refinementList%5Bfacets.Chipsatz.values%5D%5B0%5D=AMD%20X670E&refinementList%5Bfacets.Chipsatz.values%5D%5B1%5D=AMD%20X870&refinementList%5Bfacets.Chipsatz.values%5D%5B2%5D=AMD%20X870E&refinementList%5Bfacets.Arbeitsspeicher-Typ.values%5D%5B0%5D=DDR5

you can't compare GIGABYTE "D"/"UD" to GIGABYTE "GAMING" or ASRock "PRO RS" or GIGABYTE "EAGLE" as GIGABYTE's "D"-series mobos are cheapest cr*p.

also, "cheapest" 1700 starts from Z790, when "cheapest" AM5 starts from WAY NEWER X870. That's what it's all about.


btw, if I was considering "budget", I won't look to Z/X mobos anyway.

 

[mama]

Hello everyone,
I’m planning to build my first PC and have put together two parts lists while waiting for good deals.
The PC will be primarily used for work with Adobe programs (especially After Effects) and some 3D work.
I also enjoy gaming, so I want to build a system that can handle both tasks efficiently.
I’m undecided between an AMD or Intel CPU. I’m leaning towards Intel since I’ve always used Intel processors.
However, I’ve heard a lot about issues with the latest 13th and 14th generation Intel CPUs. Are these issues resolved now?
Can I confidently build a stable system with Intel after applying BIOS updates and undervolting?
I haven’t found much solid information on this, and most discussions are either “Intel is bad” or “AMD is the better choice.”
I would love to hear from experienced people about their thoughts on this. Also, I’d appreciate any feedback on the rest of
the components in my build. Below are the two parts lists I’ve put together. My budget is around 2,000 Euros.

Intel System:​

https://de.pcpartpicker.com/list/rq26sp

• CPU: Intel Core i7-14700K 3.4 GHz 20-Core Processor
• CPU Cooler: be quiet! Pure Loop 2 Liquid CPU Cooler
• Motherboard: MSI PRO Z790-P WIFI ATX LGA1700
• Memory: Corsair Vengeance 64 GB (2 x 32 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30
• Storage: Samsung 980 Pro 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 NVMe
• Video Card: Gigabyte WINDFORCE OC GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER 16 GB
• Case: be quiet! Silent Base 802 ATX Mid Tower
• Power Supply: MSI MAG A850GL PCIE5 850 W 80+ Gold Fully Modular

AMD System:​

https://de.pcpartpicker.com/list/R4LdXR

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 7900X 4.7 GHz 12-Core Processor
• CPU Cooler: be quiet! Pure Loop 2 Liquid CPU Cooler
• Motherboard: MSI B650 GAMING PLUS WIFI ATX AM5
• Memory: Corsair Vengeance 64 GB (2 x 32 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30
• Storage: Samsung 980 Pro 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 NVMe
• Video Card: Gigabyte WINDFORCE OC GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER 16 GB
• Case: be quiet! Silent Base 802 ATX Mid Tower
• Power Supply: MSI MAG A850GL PCIE5 850 W 80+ Gold Fully Modular

Which system would you recommend based on a balance of gaming and productivity?
Also, if you have any insights on the CPU choice or potential issues with either, I would love to hear them.
Thanks in advance for your help!

Both good. I would add more storage - at least another SSD.

 

[Waldorf]

@mama
why?
OP is clearly fine with it, and taking another 50-100 away from other parts, just to have more storage, makes not much sense.

 

[3valatzy]

Hello everyone,
I’m planning to build my first PC and have put together two parts lists while waiting for good deals.
The PC will be primarily used for work with Adobe programs (especially After Effects) and some 3D work.
I also enjoy gaming, so I want to build a system that can handle both tasks efficiently.
I’m undecided between an AMD or Intel CPU. I’m leaning towards Intel since I’ve always used Intel processors.
However, I’ve heard a lot about issues with the latest 13th and 14th generation Intel CPUs. Are these issues resolved now?
Can I confidently build a stable system with Intel after applying BIOS updates and undervolting?
I haven’t found much solid information on this, and most discussions are either “Intel is bad” or “AMD is the better choice.”
I would love to hear from experienced people about their thoughts on this. Also, I’d appreciate any feedback on the rest of
the components in my build. Below are the two parts lists I’ve put together. My budget is around 2,000 Euros.

Intel System:​

https://de.pcpartpicker.com/list/rq26sp

• CPU: Intel Core i7-14700K 3.4 GHz 20-Core Processor
• CPU Cooler: be quiet! Pure Loop 2 Liquid CPU Cooler
• Motherboard: MSI PRO Z790-P WIFI ATX LGA1700
• Memory: Corsair Vengeance 64 GB (2 x 32 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30
• Storage: Samsung 980 Pro 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 NVMe
• Video Card: Gigabyte WINDFORCE OC GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER 16 GB
• Case: be quiet! Silent Base 802 ATX Mid Tower
• Power Supply: MSI MAG A850GL PCIE5 850 W 80+ Gold Fully Modular

AMD System:​

https://de.pcpartpicker.com/list/R4LdXR

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 7900X 4.7 GHz 12-Core Processor
• CPU Cooler: be quiet! Pure Loop 2 Liquid CPU Cooler
• Motherboard: MSI B650 GAMING PLUS WIFI ATX AM5
• Memory: Corsair Vengeance 64 GB (2 x 32 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30
• Storage: Samsung 980 Pro 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 NVMe
• Video Card: Gigabyte WINDFORCE OC GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER 16 GB
• Case: be quiet! Silent Base 802 ATX Mid Tower
• Power Supply: MSI MAG A850GL PCIE5 850 W 80+ Gold Fully Modular

Which system would you recommend based on a balance of gaming and productivity?
Also, if you have any insights on the CPU choice or potential issues with either, I would love to hear them.
Thanks in advance for your help!

For gaming, you must have an option between the best-for-the-buck Radeon and Nvidia.
Why don't you allow a selection for the graphics card, but allow the selection for the CPU which is irrelevant ?

I see bias!

The only thing that matters is the price - Radeon is the clear winner - faster, more efficient, cheaper, and more feature rich.

This:

CPU: *AMD Ryzen 9 7900X 4.7 GHz 12-Core Processor (€358.74 @ Galaxus) - if you can afford the jump to 7950X, even better
Video Card: ASRock Phantom Gaming OC Radeon RX 7900 XTX 24 GB Video Card (€891.20 @ Galaxus) - anyday instead of 4070Ti SUPER (my opinion)

^^^

 

[mama]

@mama
why?
OP is clearly fine with it, and taking another 50-100 away from other parts, just to have more storage, makes not much sense.

2TB is limiting imo. Especially if the rig is also for work.

 

[Waldorf]

@AleXXX666
any seasonic unit that's cheaper while being better?
and the last Gb board i had (+300$ x570) was the worst crap i have ever used.

@3valatzy
thanks for being lazy and not reading previous posts, only to accuse ppl of bias.
so here: workload requires a Nv gpu.

besides, many things we buy is because we like them, not because they are the cheapest option. so unless "you" are paying for it, its up to the OP what parts they get.

@mama
says who?
since you didnt care to read: OP is going to reuse existing drives, and, you have no info how much data his workload consists of, so randomly suggesting more storage,
when its not needed AND would take money away from other parts? right..

 

[lexluthermiester]

@3valatzy
thanks for being lazy and not reading previous posts, only to accuse ppl of bias.
so here: workload requires a Nv gpu.

besides, many things we buy is because we like them, not because they are the cheapest option. so unless "you" are paying for it, its up to the OP what parts they get.

Don't feed the....

 

[dgianstefani]

For gaming, you must have an option between the best-for-the-buck Radeon and Nvidia.
Why don't you allow a selection for the graphics card, but allow the selection for the CPU which is irrelevant ?

I see bias!

The only thing that matters is the price - Radeon is the clear winner - faster, more efficient, cheaper, and more feature rich.

This:


^^^

He sees bias

 

[Waldorf]

again, if you had actually spend time reading previous posts, OPs work requires CUDA, which is slower on amd, has ZERO to do with anything else (for him).

 

[mama]

@AleXXX666
any seasonic unit that's cheaper while being better?
and the last Gb board i had (+300$ x570) was the worst crap i have ever used.

@3valatzy
thanks for being lazy and not reading previous posts, only to accuse ppl of bias.
so here: workload requires a Nv gpu.

besides, many things we buy is because we like them, not because they are the cheapest option. so unless "you" are paying for it, its up to the OP what parts they get.

@mama
says who?
since you didnt care to read: OP is going to reuse existing drives, and, you have no info how much data his workload consists of, so randomly suggesting more storage,
when its not needed AND would take money away from other parts? right..

Curious response. True, I don't have information about how much data his/her workload involves but nor do you. And yet you are taking a very strong opposition to the suggestion of additional storage. I think, and yes this is my opinion, that two SSDs on a board is a good setup for most things. Frankly, more storage is never a bad thing. You are free to feel differently.

 

[DaemonForce]

and the last Gb board i had (+300$ x570) was the worst crap i have ever used.

Didn't learn that lesson before with weird vSOC, creeping speed leaks, randomly crashing dual BIOS and a complete inability to lock BCLK at stock speeds? Gigglebyte.
I was forced into it as the only way to rebuild a 970 system after getting a bit too ballsy with my overclocks on a Biostar board.
Considered Gigabyte's ITX board when going X570 until I remembered all of these problems. Don't do it.

 

[Waldorf]

@mama
quote:
2TB is limiting imo.

1. no workload listed that indicates that 2TB is an issue.
2. where is the extra money for the additional drive coming from?

i will happily change my view on this, if you provide a list with an identical specced sys, thats cheaper, e.g to have funds for 2nd ssd.


@DaemonForce
only one thing it did manage, best 3DMark.
never gotten such high cpu results again for my 5800X

 

[hmn888]

For gaming, you must have an option between the best-for-the-buck Radeon and Nvidia.
Why don't you allow a selection for the graphics card, but allow the selection for the CPU which is irrelevant ?

I see bias!

The only thing that matters is the price - Radeon is the clear winner - faster, more efficient, cheaper, and more feature rich.

This:


^^^

As @Waldorf already mentioned, it's all about the CUDA cores from Nvidia. My number one priority is work, not gaming. I don't know of any agency specializing in graphics that uses Radeon GPUs for their work. There are only objective facts as to why Nvidia is specifically better for graphics and content creation in every respect.