Build for Windows gaming + Linux for work

Muffxd · January 9, 2022

I have a preliminary build that I'm planning on buying with the AMD 6600xt but I am unsure whether to go down the Intel or AMD route. The build:

Intel i7 12700k or AMD 5800x
MSI Pro Z690-A DDR4
Crucial Ballistix 32GB
Noctua NH-D15
Lian Li LANCOOL II
AMD Radeon 6600xt (€560, good price?)
650W Seasonic Power supply

For the choice of GPU, I went with AMD because I am a Linux/Windows user and AMD drivers are much less hassle on Linux compared to NVIDIA. For the price I can get the 6600xt at, it seems like the clear choice for a <€2000 build, compared to €600 for the 3060 and €800 for the 3060ti. My main decision that I'm still on the fence about is whether to go with Intel or AMD for the CPU, considering my choice of GPU.

12th gen Intel CPUS look really good in terms of performance when gaming and for workstation uses they have seem to be preferable (Think there was a recent update on Linux kernal for Alder lake). They also have a clearer upgrade path once DDR5 becomes more available and cheaper. However, pairing an AMD CPU with an AMD GPU seems like a clear advantage, with AMD smart access memory (Not sure if Intel has this feature on their MBs or CPUs). Thinking into the future an AMD CPU may also provide a smoother Linux experience.

This build was created with a €2000 budget in mind from Finland, where it is tradition to buy PC parts from Germany :). I will likely be using this for 1440p 240hz gaming in the future when 1440p GPUs become more available but for right now I need to upgrade from my GTX 970 that I got when they first came out. For linux it will mostly be using multithreaded computational workloads e.g Molecular Modelling. No monitor is needed, nor peripherals.

I am mainly looking for advice on choosing Intel or AMD CPU, specifically between the i7 12700K and the 5800x, for this build with the 6600xt but any additional advice on other aspect of the build would be great, thanks!

RONOTHAN## · January 9, 2022

6 minutes ago, Muffxd said:

However, pairing an AMD CPU with an AMD GPU seems like a clear advantage, with AMD smart access memory (Not sure if Intel has this feature on their MBs or CPUs

It's just resizable BAR, which Intel motherboards do support. Don't consider that a selling point.

7 minutes ago, Muffxd said:

Thinking into the future an AMD CPU may also provide a smoother Linux experience.

Eventually, the Intel CPU will be better. Intel does contribute to the Linux kernel, though not as much as AMD, it's still enough to make it so they have a working scheduler for their CPUs. You did say that there was a recent kernel update that was for Alder Lake CPUs, and my guess is that's what it was for: a much improved scheduler. Once the scheduler is ironed out, Alder Lake will be the better option, especially considering your price point.

10 minutes ago, Muffxd said:

I am mainly looking for advice on choosing Intel or AMD CPU, specifically between the i7 12700K and the 5800x

It's not even a question between these two. If the scheduler isn't perfect, just disable the E-cores and you'll still end up with better performance with the Intel chip. Once the scheduler is perfect, you have 4 extra cores, and the 12700k is about on par with a 5900X in most multithreaded scenarios while crushing it in single thread.

Unless you do something that drastically favors AMD, like some compression algorithms and a couple production workloads, I'd go for the i7 any day of the week, it's just a beast of a CPU.