[SOLVED] Should I go with an AMD CPU with a cheap discrete graphics card or elect for an Intel CPU with integrated graphics (see description)?

[MDtoBe]

I am going for my third custom gaming build shortly. Here's my issue: my wife has somewhat restricted me in budget (which is fine, by the way, as finances are not perfect right now as we are both full time college students and currently she is seeking a part-time job, so I am the only one with an income, at the moment). I have decided to not cheap out on this system. I am able to get some financing down (for some parts) or pay outright for all the parts EXCEPT a graphics card. That said, I am looking to go with either an AMD CPU with a cheap discrete graphics card (something used on eBay for super cheap, basically) or an Intel CPU with integrated graphics (of course, this will be temporary, as I will continue to put money aside for an actually good gaming card that will be put in at a later date!). Full disclosure: it has been 3 years since my last build and I have been so busy with work and college that I have gotten out of touch with CPUs, so this is precisely why I need help deciding! I will say that AMD looks like the better choice, by far even, but I'm just not sure. Also, I would presume I would still get significantly better FPS while playing some of my low-end favorites when using an AMD/cheap GPU combo versus just an Intel with a plain old integrated GPU. I would just wait until I can get a GPU with the rest of the parts, but I am in need of a usable PC almost immediately!

That said, what are your suggestions? CPU-alone budget is $300. The Ryzen 5 5600x looks like a solid choice, so that's what I was thinking about going with. Do you think that's a good one?

Thank you to anybody and everybody for any suggestions!

Edit: I just wanted to make sure that everybody understands that I am WELL aware that gaming performance is mostly GPU-intensive and not CPU-intensive. Clearly the point was of this entire thread was completely missed by almost everybody who commented on it, which may I add, leads to strong distrust in your credibility.

 

[JWNoctis]

Given your circumstances, I'd recommend against any newbuild right now, unless you have a good use for it for your college work, or your own wellbeing.

A Ryzen 5 5600G is also a solid choice, with a better iGPU than anything Intel has to offer right now. Actual graphic performance is quite comparable to a GTX 650, or even a 660. It's limited to PCIe 3.0 though, and be sure to read a few reviews.

What does your previous build have?

 

[MDtoBe]

Given your circumstances, I'd recommend against any newbuild right now, unless you have a good use for it for your college work, or your own wellbeing.

A Ryzen 5 5600G is also a solid choice, with a better iGPU than anything Intel has to offer right now. Actual graphic performance is quite comparable to a GTX 650, or even a 660. It's limited to PCIe 3.0 though, and be sure to read a few reviews.

What does your previous build have?

Thanks for your opinion! Though, I assume that you missed the part of my original description which does specifically say "I would just wait until I can get a GPU with the rest of the parts, but I am in need of a usable PC almost immediately!", haha! That said, this build basically has to happen. I need it for school, as well as for gaming later.

My previous build had an Intel Core i3 in it, but honestly I cannot remember what one it was. It also had a GTX 1050 Ti in it. I got rid of that build long ago as I was in a pinch for money.

 

[chaoyang]

My recommendation is to get an second-hand prebuilt office PC such as an Dell Optiplex Tower with a descent CPU inside. From there you could upgrade its RAM, add an GPU and get a PSU (don't cheap out on this one). Also consider getting an SSD and new HDD if possible.

Important Note: Make sure the case will be big enough to fit the GPU card that you wanted to buy.

 

[mdd1963]

The 5600X is darn well awesome, only slightly surpassed in gaming by only the 5800X and above...(The 5600G is a tad faster than most GTX1030s, although this is still marginal even at 720P w/many of today's games like BF1, BF5, etc...)

You'd need a GPU with the 5600X , however, GTX1660Ti or above, preferably, unless you have a GTX1050Ti or 1060 used elsewhere you can transplant...(I find the GTX1060 still quite adequate in BF1 on a daily basis)

 

[geofelt]

Game performance is largely dictated by the graphics card, and not the cpu.
I might suggest you look at intel i5-11400 which included decent integrated graphics.
Here is a review:

Intel Core i5-11400F Review: The New Value Champ

The Core i5-11400F coupled with a B560 motherboard make for an interesting build configuration, as it's significantly cheaper than the Core i5-11600K/Z590 and less than the cost...

www.techspot.com

Spending a bit less on the processor will give you a better budget for the eventual graphics card upgrade.

 

[Why_Me]

https://www.newegg.com/p/N82E16813144396
MSI MAG B560M BAZOOKA $139.99

https://www.centralcomputer.com/int...11th-gen-socket-lga1200-4-4ghz-max-boost.html
Intel Core i5-11400 $189.95

https://www.amazon.com/Gelid-Solutions-Phantom-Black-Cooler/dp/B07CK6BXX5/
Gelid Solutions Phantom Black CPU Cooler $39.99

https://www.amazon.com/Crucial-Ballistix-Desktop-Gaming-BL2K8G32C16U4B/dp/B083TRRT16/
Crucial Ballistix DDR4 3200MHz 16GB (8GBx2) CL16 $87.99

Total: $458

https://www.amazon.com/PNY-CS2130-Internal-Solid-State/dp/B0869B4Q66/
PNY CS2130 1TB M.2 PCIe NVMe Gen3 x4 Internal SSD $109.00

A better look at that board.

https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/MAG-B560M-BAZOOKA

Reviews of the 11400/11400F w/benchmarks.

https://www.guru3d.com/articles-pages/intel-core-i5-11400f-processor-review,1.html

Intel Core i5-11400F Review - The Best Rocket Lake

The Core i5-11400F is Intel's most affordable Rocket Lake processor. While its multiplier is locked, you can still adjust the power limit. Once we did that, the CPU ran over 15% faster and almost matched the Core i5-11600K. We also made an interesting discovery regarding Gear 1 vs. Gear 2.

www.techpowerup.com

 

[MDtoBe]

My recommendation is to get an second-hand prebuilt office PC such as an Dell Optiplex Tower with a descent CPU inside. From there you could upgrade its RAM, add an GPU and get a PSU (don't cheap out on this one). Also consider getting an SSD and new HDD if possible.

Important Note: Make sure the case will be big enough to fit the GPU card that you wanted to buy.

Thank you for your suggestions, but I utterly refuse to go with a pre-built. Thanks, anyways!

 

[MDtoBe]

https://www.newegg.com/p/N82E16813144396
MSI MAG B560M BAZOOKA $139.99

https://www.centralcomputer.com/int...11th-gen-socket-lga1200-4-4ghz-max-boost.html
Intel Core i5-11400 $189.95

https://www.amazon.com/Gelid-Solutions-Phantom-Black-Cooler/dp/B07CK6BXX5/
Gelid Solutions Phantom Black CPU Cooler $39.99

https://www.amazon.com/Crucial-Ballistix-Desktop-Gaming-BL2K8G32C16U4B/dp/B083TRRT16/
Crucial Ballistix DDR4 3200MHz 16GB (8GBx2) CL16 $87.99

Total: $458

https://www.amazon.com/PNY-CS2130-Internal-Solid-State/dp/B0869B4Q66/
PNY CS2130 1TB M.2 PCIe NVMe Gen3 x4 Internal SSD $109.00

A better look at that board.

https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/MAG-B560M-BAZOOKA

Reviews of the 11400/11400F w/benchmarks.

https://www.guru3d.com/articles-pages/intel-core-i5-11400f-processor-review,1.html

Intel Core i5-11400F Review - The Best Rocket Lake

The Core i5-11400F is Intel's most affordable Rocket Lake processor. While its multiplier is locked, you can still adjust the power limit. Once we did that, the CPU ran over 15% faster and almost matched the Core i5-11600K. We also made an interesting discovery regarding Gear 1 vs. Gear 2.

www.techpowerup.com

Thanks for the suggestions, here. I appreciate you going above and beyond, despite my thread only asking for a CPU suggestion. It is well worth the time to look into a persons credibility when they take the time to surpass expectations. Thank you.

 

[MDtoBe]

Game performance is largely dictated by the graphics card, and not the cpu.
I might suggest you look at intel i5-11400 which included decent integrated graphics.
Here is a review:

Intel Core i5-11400F Review: The New Value Champ

The Core i5-11400F coupled with a B560 motherboard make for an interesting build configuration, as it's significantly cheaper than the Core i5-11600K/Z590 and less than the cost...

www.techspot.com

Spending a bit less on the processor will give you a better budget for the eventual graphics card upgrade.

I am well aware that game performance is dictated by the GPU. Still need at least a mid-range CPU, though. I took a look at the Core i5-11400 but could not find it for cheaper than $330, so I'm a little confused, there! Thank you for your advice, anyways!

 

[MDtoBe]

The 5600X is darn well awesome, only slightly surpassed in gaming by only the 5800X and above...(The 5600G is a tad faster than most GTX1030s, although this is still marginal even at 720P w/many of today's games like BF1, BF5, etc...)

You'd need a GPU with the 5600X , however, GTX1660Ti or above, preferably, unless you have a GTX1050Ti or 1060 used elsewhere you can transplant...(I find the GTX1060 still quite adequate in BF1 on a daily basis)

I appreciate your advice, and I thank you for it. I think the 5600G is looking like a good choice when it is released to consumers in August. I understand that I would need discrete graphics with a 5600X, as I clarified that in my thread.

Thank you!

 

[Why_Me]

I am well aware that game performance is dictated by the GPU. Still need at least a mid-range CPU, though. I took a look at the Core i5-11400 but could not find it for cheaper than $330, so I'm a little confused, there! Thank you for your advice, anyways!

https://www.centralcomputer.com/int...11th-gen-socket-lga1200-4-4ghz-max-boost.html
Intel Core i5-11400 $189.95

 

[MDtoBe]

https://www.centralcomputer.com/int...11th-gen-socket-lga1200-4-4ghz-max-boost.html
Intel Core i5-11400 $189.95

Thank you!