CPU / Cooler / Board combination

[Ahmad313]

hello guys, 

i really need your valuable input to end my dilemma, 

i am planning an SFF build (skyreach mini), my problem concerns the CPU/Board combination. 

Since i am using the Noctua NH l9i cooler i have to stick with a 65W CPU. 

my choices were: i7-9700 /8700 or Ryzen 7 3700x

Now i am really tempted to go for the 8cores/16 threads ryzen but i am afraid of the compatibility issues or a very expensive motherboard.

On the other hand, the i7 is a guaranteed compatibility and cheaper board with available replacement services in country. (i live far away i have to order everything online, ryzen is very rare in the country where i live)

i really like the ASUS boards but i cannot risk the x470-f with the ryzen due to compatibility issues and cannot go for the  X570-F which is over budget for me (which is already very limited)

on the other hand the i7 can go with a  ASUS strix rog Z390-I which is not bad. 

 

In what direction would you advise me to go ? 

is it ok to give up on the ryzen ? is it worth the risk ? or will the i7 perform similarly ? 

my main use for the rig is virtualization / multiple IDE's for coding / occasional gaming (planning to get a 1660ti or 1070 mini zotac its more than enough for me)

 

many thanks !!!

 

 

[boggy77]

what are the risks and what compatibility issues are you referring to?

Is your ssf mini ITX or micro ATX?

[Constantin]

I would go for the i7 9700 or 8700, very solid choices, you will not have any compatibility issues.

[Ahmad313]

2 hours ago, boggy77 said:

what are the risks and what compatibility issues are you referring to?

Is your ssf mini ITX or micro ATX?

i was referring to ryzen 3 compatibility, apparently the x470 needs a bios flash to work with ryzen 3 and i doubt any shop has a ryzen 2 handy here to flash the bios so i dont want to risk it. 

[Ahmad313]

2 hours ago, Constantin said:

I would go for the i7 9700 or 8700, very solid choices, you will not have any compatibility issues.

how would you rate their performance in comparison to ryzen 3700x ? and would it be enough for the use case i described ? 

finally, the board z390 is a good choice for this cpu ? 

many thanks ! 

[boggy77]

3 minutes ago, Ahmad313 said:

i was referring to ryzen 3 compatibility, apparently the x470 needs a bios flash to work with ryzen 3 and i doubt any shop has a ryzen 2 handy here to flash the bios so i dont want to risk it. 

Msi b450 max boards are ryzen 3 ready. Otherwise, go for x570. Asus tuf for example is solid.

[Constantin]

7 hours ago, Ahmad313 said:

the board z390 is a good choice for this cpu ? 

It's perfect!

 

7 hours ago, Ahmad313 said:

how would you rate their performance in comparison to ryzen 3700x

Intel  i7 9700 or 8700 is better in any way!