Intel i5 6600k vs AMD Ryzen 5 1600

Smush9

Prominent
Apr 14, 2017
6
0
510
Heyo, guys. New member on this forum but I regularly visit and use this site to gather PC advice. so before anything, a huge thanks to all you guys!

Anyway... So I have been using an AMD FX-6100 for almost 6 years now, so I'm looking to upgrade the main parts of my PC, specifically the mobo, proc, and ram. I was pretty set on going intel. I literally bought all the components I needed just a few days before Ryzen 5 released. I honestly wanted to wait for reviews and everything but I got a really good deal (imho) for the i5 6600k. For starters, let me just say that I'm from the Philippines so prices more often than not are a bit inflated compared to the US. Give or take 20 to 40 dollars more.. So going back, I was able to get these components at these prices (in USD based off current exchange rates):

i5 6600k = $209 (all the other stores here actually sell this for $240~250)
Asus Z170 Pro Gaming/Aura = $185 (yes, mobos are very expensive here)
G.Skill Ripjaws V 2x8gb 2400 = $138 (yup, ram too is expensive)
Noctua NH-U14S = $75

Total = 607 painful dollars. Haha. To be fair, I was really only able to afford the parts because i had a few extra Switchfoot concert tickets and sold them all for $100. So I used that to help pay for the bill.

So I was all set and ready to put in the new parts... then the reviews for Ryzen 5 came out. So my question is whether I should stick to this build or go for AMD. Specifically a Ryzen 5 1600. I'm asking now coz I can still sell the parts I bought fairly easily since they're brand new anyway. I can get the AMD parts at these prices:

Ryzen 5 1600 = $246
Asus Prime X370 Pro = $198
G.Skill Ripjaws V 2x8gb 3200 = $160

Total = $604

So costs are almost identical. I can sell the parts of my intel build at about those prices. So it's basically a decision of whether to stick with what I got or sell em and go AMD. By the way, I'm going with the 1600 because it's cheaper than the X version, plus it already has a decent cooler with it. I can always just OC it, right?

Mainly using this rig for gaming. But will also be doing some 2D Cad (civil engineering related work), some light video editing and music recording. Girlfriend will also probably hijack my PC for some photoshop work. Sooooo any advice and recommendations are absolutely welcome. Thanks! And sorry for the quite long post.
 
Solution
Tough choice you have. Gaming wise, intel build is better. For other tasks you listed, Ryzen build is/will be better (especially in the long run). But if looking for OC, boxed cooler will not be enough - but then you can buy it later, no problem. If I have anything against Ryzen build, that would be it is so fresh platform, that it suffers from many strange and unexpected problems - like some B350 boards require BIOS update to run R5, because basic BIOS will only run on R7. This problems will be definitely fixed soon, but you better be prepared for surprises if buying Ryzen now.

So short answer would be: almost 50/50, pretty much down to personal preference.

PhysX_HW

Distinguished
Since you'll be doing some video editing and PS, it sounds like you'll be better off with the 1600's 6 cores. And for gaming, it'll be just as good.

But keep in mind that if you are planning any serious OC, you'll need a better cooler on that Ryzen.
 
Tough choice you have. Gaming wise, intel build is better. For other tasks you listed, Ryzen build is/will be better (especially in the long run). But if looking for OC, boxed cooler will not be enough - but then you can buy it later, no problem. If I have anything against Ryzen build, that would be it is so fresh platform, that it suffers from many strange and unexpected problems - like some B350 boards require BIOS update to run R5, because basic BIOS will only run on R7. This problems will be definitely fixed soon, but you better be prepared for surprises if buying Ryzen now.

So short answer would be: almost 50/50, pretty much down to personal preference.
 
Solution

Koyabult

Commendable
Oct 2, 2016
35
0
1,530
Go Ryzen tol. San ka sa atin? I miss home. :) From my friends back home, AMD stuff is expensive back home..?

I came from sylake i5 (6400) although operations are smooth R5 (1500x) feels a bit quicker. Small saves in Photoshop (I sometimes cover events) feels a bit more quicker, especially for high res images. I dont do videos though. Bought mine day 1 it was released here in UAE, so this week, I feel "faster" in my extra work.

In real world gaming at 1080p, it does not matter if the frame rate is 100fps or 120fps (unless you have that quick of an eye). As long as you have a good gpu, you're all set.
 

Smush9

Prominent
Apr 14, 2017
6
0
510


Hey bro! I'm in Cebu actually. Where are you from? You should visit our homeland soon! Haha. I've actually decided to stick with my Intel 6600k for now. I just have a few concerns with Ryzen at the moment. I'm sure they will have it patched up within the year, but I just really need a surefire system right now. Maybe in a year or two I'll jump back in the AMD train. Haha. But thanks for the advice. Definitely considered it. I was very close to jumping ship to Ryzen. Hahaha
 

Smush9

Prominent
Apr 14, 2017
6
0
510


I know it might be funny to some that i picked an answer that basically told me to go eitherway.. Hahaha. But i think you pointed out the basic pros and cons of each system. By the way, I've decided to stick with Intel for now. Really just want a system that I'd be sure will run with no major issues. And as great as Ryzen 5 could be, I think AMD has some bugs to patch up. Which I'm sure they will address successfully. So maybe in a year or two, I'll reconsider AMD again. Thanks everyone for the sound advice!