Just trying to understand and learn the CPU Battle (i5 vs Ryzen 5)

[RiqSha]

I'm a complete noob, but I'm interested in learning how to compare CPUs

 

So what I've heard from a bunch of friends is that the R5 1600x is a better value CPU at $339.00 CAD. It's a better product for overall gaming, creative content, rendering etc.

 

I was just looking at Ryzen CPUs vs i5 CPUs and I came across the i5 7640x ($345.00 CAD) and the i5-7600k ($335.00 CAD). My initial comparison of the specs showed that the i5 processors run at a better frequency and boost, while sporting slightly higher TDPs, and the only real edge the R5 1600x has; is the higher cache at 16mb. 

 

From my experience of overhearing comments about Intel vs AMD in the past, I've basically developed a rule of thumb stating that if you have enough money and budget isn't a problem, the Intel CPU is always the better, premium buy. However, if you're on a budget then looking at a counter AMD CPU might be the better option because of the lower cost. Now I don't know if this is right, but I've still heard a couple tech-reviewers mention this. 

 

So... why not just by the i5 7640x or 7600k? Basically the same price as the R5 1600x. How is the R5 1600x still relevant? Is it that the sheer number of cores allows the CPUs to be better at multi-tasking? Is this now just a problem of gaming (i5) vs content creation (R5)? 

 

If you get some time, help me out to understand what the benefits of the R5 1600x would be over these i5s. 

 

Thanks! 

Riqsha

 

 

[TrigrH]

cores, threads.

 

i5s are dead.

[Jurrunio]

Cores, clock speed, IPC(instructions per clock), threads and price are the most important stuff to evaluate processors' value.

 

Ryzen 5 1600 / 1600x has 6 cores and 12 threads while i5s only have 4 cores and 4 threads. That's already enough to justify Ryzen's superiority in value

[Billy_Mays]

the 1600 is superior in almost every way (Except for some games) but the 1600X isnt that good compared to the 1600 (Identical except for XFR)

[SquintyG33Rs]

apart from instructions per clock and slightly clock speed itself ryzen is just better all around. it's major flaw is it's infinity fabric design that relies on fast ram to get all of the performance you can get out of your CPU.

Ryzen 1500x performs similarly to a i7-4790k. it's only about 15% behind a i7-7700k at stock speeds.

 

the cache matters more than you think. i won't go into a huge explanation of how cache works and why it is better, i'll let you research it if you care.

 

and the i5 7640x is just a 7600k but on a 299X socket bottom layer (substrate) making it the dumbest chip you can buy on the planet right now. you'd pay just as much for your motherboard as you would for the chip and you can't even use the mobo fully... not even half of it.....

[RiqSha]

2 minutes ago, Jurrunio said:

Cores, clock speed, IPC(instructions per clock), threads and price are the most important stuff to evaluate processors' value.

Are IPCs usually posted by manufacturers? I don't recall seeing that.

[RiqSha]

1 minute ago, SquintyG33Rs said:

apart from instructions per clock and slightly clock speed itself ryzen is just better all around. it's major flaw is it's infinity fabric design that relies on fast ram to get all of the performance you can get out of your CPU.

Ryzen 1500x performs similarly to a i7-4790k. it's only about 15% behind a i7-7700k at stock speeds.

 

the cache matters more than you think. i won't go into a huge explanation of how cache works and why it is better, i'll let you research it if you care.

 

and the i5 7640x is just a 7600k but on a 299X socket bottom layer (substrate) making it the dumbest chip you can buy on the planet right now. you'd pay just as much for your motherboard as you would for the chip and you can't even use the mobo fully... not even half of it.....

7

AHHHH. I had a feeling that's what the 7640x was. I should have researched that. Thanks. 

 

 

[Jurrunio]

Just now, RiqSha said:

Are IPCs usually posted by manufacturers? I don't recall seeing that.

They aren't. That's why there are IPC comparisons online.

[SquintyG33Rs]

6 minutes ago, RiqSha said:

Are IPCs usually posted by manufacturers? I don't recall seeing that.

no it's just a vague term to describe better architecture design but it's not a hard fixed number. it also depends on the task since it's something that relies heavily on instruction sets.

[Jurrunio]

2 minutes ago, RiqSha said:

AHHHH. I had a feeling that's what the 7640x was. I should have researched that. Thanks. 

Add to that is 7600k is practically the same chip as 7640x, just on different sockets. However, that different socket means a motherboard 60% to twice as expensive.

 

With the 7640x out of the way, it will be easier to compare 7600k and 1600x

 

7600k is on a dead socket, meaning no future CPUs will use this chipset and socket. Ryzens aren't.

7600k will need extra investment on cooler unless you don't overclock (then why bother with k chips?), Ryzen doesn't unless you want a very quiet one.

7600k loses in performance than 1600x, other than tasks that uses same or less than 4 cores 4 threads.

[Guest]

You can't compare Processors just using the spec sheet, there are technologies that "boost" performance of a processor. Look at the architecture, the technologies and what they do. A feature of processors that everyone should know before making a buying decision is SMT (or commonly known as Hyper-Threading).

[RiqSha]

On 06/07/2017 at 11:39 PM, Jurrunio said:

Add to that is 7600k is practically the same chip as 7640x, just on different sockets. However, that different socket means a motherboard 60% to twice as expensive.

 

With the 7640x out of the way, it will be easier to compare 7600k and 1600x

 

7600k is on a dead socket, meaning no future CPUs will use this chipset and socket. Ryzens aren't.

7600k will need extra investment on cooler unless you don't overclock (then why bother with k chips?), Ryzen doesn't unless you want a very quiet one.

7600k loses in performance than 1600x, other than tasks that uses same or less than 4 cores 4 threads.

AHhh shieeet. Yeah this is good information. I didn't know about future upgrading abilities of the sockets and motherboards for the 7600k.

 

And the last point is also very important. Thanks man! I really appreciate it! 

[RiqSha]

On 07/07/2017 at 4:37 AM, FTL said:

You can't compare Processors just using the spec sheet, there are technologies that "boost" performance of a processor. Look at the architecture, the technologies and what they do. A feature of processors that everyone should know before making a buying decision is SMT (or commonly known as Hyper-Threading).

You're right. However, since I'm still new and trying to get into this I wanted to be able to start somewhere. But you're right, I'll definitely look at the architecture and technologies of each processor. Thanks!