[SOLVED] Which is better: i7 8700 or Ryzen 7 3700X?

abhi_2015

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Jan 7, 2016
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My current build is:
Gigabyte Z170M D3H Motherboard
Intel Core i7 6700 Processor
Cooler Master Hyper 212 LED CPU Cooler
Corsair Vengeance 32GB (2x16GB) 3200 MHz C16 RAM Kit
250GB Samsung 970 EVO SSD (m.2) + 1TB Seagate Barracuda
Asus Strix Geforce GTX 1060 6GB OC
Corsair TX650M Power Supply (Semi-Modular)
Cooler Master Elite 431 Plus Case with 3 Cooler Master Sickle Flow X 120mm Fans

First, let me put my question into perspective. I do not play games. I am a research student, I need multiple cores (the more the merrier) for my simulations. And, according to my experience, my simulations are also RAM hungry!! I could not afford the Intel Extreme processors, so this is what I have. I do some video editing as a hobby, and some rare simulations require the GPU as well. Nearly full CPU utilisation takes the CPU to around 70 degrees centigrade.

Now, my Mobo died on me this week. Certain complications have arisen in the RMA process, mainly due to the dealer/seller. I do not have the time to wait. Therefore, I want to replace the CPU+Mobo pair. My budget fits the i7+ 8700 (with a 16GB Optane module) and the MSI Z370M Mortar, but they are soon going to be two generations old.

I may be able to extend to the Ryzen 7 3700X and the MSI X570-A Pro. However, I have had very bad experiences with AMD in the past, especially in the earlier Athlon and Phenom days. Since then, my main PC has always had the top-tier locked mainstream processor from Intel. However, i9 does not come locked, neither is the 9900K in my budget. I have built three Ryzen 3 PCs for my family, but they are just a few months old; too early to have faith! My earlier AMD setups self-destructed after a year. And, I cannot seem to get over my nightmare experiences, to invest in a costlier AMD system.

Please advise and suggest alternative pairings, if there are.

Thanks in advance!
 

abhi_2015

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3700X seems the obvious choice here, especially if your applications like lots of cores. You don't necessarily need an X570, a B450 or X470 would do if you want to save a bit of money there.
Wouldn't going for a B450 hurt future upgradability?
I have built my system slowly by upgrading it over 4-5 years.
 

logainofhades

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With bios flashback, a B450 board makes sense, budget wise.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 3700X 3.6 GHz 8-Core Processor (₹31599.00 @ Amazon India)
Motherboard: MSI B450 Gaming Plus ATX AM4 Motherboard (₹9965.64 @ Amazon India)
Total: ₹41564.64
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-07-31 00:16 IST+0530




Boards that support bios flashback.
View: https://www.reddit.com/r/Amd/comments/bvfo57/list_of_b350_b450_x370_and_x470_motherboards_with/

An R7 2700/2700x would also be a good option, and will be a superior multitasking chip, compared to an i7 8700.
 

abhi_2015

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I guess it depends on what you plan on upgrading to in the future. Do you think you'll be needing PCIe 4.0 for some reason?
No, the simulations do not need faster storage, that I can agree with you.
But, I may need something for one of my future projects. Let that be for the moment.
 
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