Concerned about using AMD cpu

[tallyhogames]

Hi,

I’m going to get my first pc in almost 10 years (been using macs)

I’ve only ever used intel chips so am unfamiliar with AMD. Are there any issue with Windows 10 which Intel chips don’t have?

Do board designed for intel chips have any advantages over their AMD equivilents?

As far as upgrading goes, If I was to get a 1700X now are the motherboards capable of taking future CPUs or is the existing boards at the end of their lifecycle?


Thanks in advance.

 

[sizzling]

There is no advantage or disadvantage of AMD v Intel, just choose based on the benchmarks for the type of work you will use it for.

Many people are claiming AMD’s current motherboards will run next gen AMD cpu’s but an article I read about a month ago pointed out this is not guaranteed. Although AMD has committed to staying with AM4 socket that does not specifically mean current boards will support future cpu’s. Intels latest range uses the same socket as 6th & 7th generation cpu’s but the prior generation motherboards won’t support 8th gen cpu’s.

 

[zoltan.boese]

AMD claims not to change their processor socket until 2020. There is a reddit thread on the topic: https://www.reddit.com/r/Amd/comments/6xlbcv/how_long_will_amd_be_using_am4_socket/
Driver availability and software optimization has improved.
Intel announced it´s lga1551 socket in 2015, I would not trust them to keep it for long.

 

[Dosflores]

There aren't any issues that AMD has but Intel doesn't, and vice versa. Motherboards designed for Intel chips do have some advantages in the form of Intel-exclusive technologies: Thunderbolt 3 and Optane caching support. Thunderbolt 3 is useful for external graphics docks, but that's something that is mostly used on laptops. On desktops, you can simply upgrade your graphics card or add a new one. Optane caching might be useful for some people, but I wouldn't call it a killer feature.

 

[plazmakill]

Hello!

Great to see that you'll be looking into getting a new pc soon.

"I’ve only ever used intel chips so am unfamiliar with AMD. Are there any issue with Windows 10 which Intel chips don’t have?"

Currently, it's the other way around.

In recent news a vulnerability in practically all manufacturers' CPUs is hitting intel a little harder than others (Look into Spectre and meltdown -- https://www.theverge.com/2018/1/10/16871856/intel-cpu-meltdown-spectre-response-computer-slow-down-issues )

The first patches intel had released had the unintended effect of taking many windows' computers down. The second round of fixes should be around soon and working. (https://www.theverge.com/2018/1/29/16944326/microsoft-spectre-processor-bug-emergency-windows-update-reboot-fix)

Will this be "permanently" fixed in the hardware? Short answer, yes. Most likely in 2019 (intel says later this year, AMD says next year). It will still mean getting a new CPU for that.

As far as upgrading goes, If I was to get a 1700X now are the motherboards capable of taking future CPUs or is the existing boards at the end of their lifecycle?

AMD claims not to change their processor socket until 2020. There is a reddit thread on the topic: https://www.reddit.com/r/Amd/comments/6xlbcv/how_long_will_amd_be_using_am4_socket/
Driver availability and software optimization has improved.
Intel announced it´s lga1551 socket in 2015, I would not trust them to keep it for long.

I will concur with zoltan.boese on this and also mention that Intel is finicky on their socket support, just look at LGA1366... Talk about future proofing.
In my experience AMD does tend to stick with their sockets and maintain compatibility for upgrades. The only major changes are in new chipsets and features that usually come with newer motherboards, but it's not something that will break the deal for many I.M.O.

Do board designed for intel chips have any advantages over their AMD equivilents?

Dosflores mentioned some features that are on some motherboards that may prove useful, just remember to find what suits your needs best before you make a decision.

Current pricing for video cards and system memory are quite high a.t.m., we may blame crypto-miners for that so if you want to buy a pre-assembled pc that may not break the bank then this will be an interesting article to get you started, it does cover AMD based pc's as well as Intel built rigs: https://www.pcworld.com/article/3253304/computers/best-gaming-pc-deals.html


Hope this helps.