Q: Should I still buy Intel CPUs? It seems that most of the recommended DIY builds use AMD parts today.
A: AMD may have won many hearts in the DIY community, but Intel still brings a lot to the table – so the answer to your question really depends on your needs, what is available in your area and what you can buy from one reasonable price.
Content creators benefit most from AMD, as its high-end chips offer more cores to work with. The same goes for enthusiasts looking for performance without compromise, as the company’s new Ryzen 5000 Series tops the charts in both games and multithreaded tasks. And before the pandemic, people on a budget could count on AMD for accessibility, especially those interested in making further CPU upgrades without having to replace the existing motherboard.
But Intel did not fall off a cliff. It has lost the crown of undisputed leader for consumer processors, but Team Blue chips still work just as well as AMD on PCs used for everyday tasks and / or games. Depending on which generation of AMD CPUs you are considering, Intel’s counterpart may even be the best choice for gaming. So if your system requirements are in this space, you are not making a huge sacrifice when choosing Intel.
Rob Schultz / IDGIntel may be less popular with DIY builders at the moment, but that doesn’t make the company’s processors a bad choice. Depending on your situation, Intel may still be the best option.
In fact, Intel is now a solid alternative to the exhaustive search required for some of the AMD processors due to high demand and low availability. To win a new Ryzen 5000 series CPU, you must look at product lists carefully and trust the communities dedicated to inventory alerts. (Learn more about buying strategies for hard-to-find PC hardware.) Budget chips from the previous generation are also in short supply – finding a Ryzen 3 3100 or 3200G for the list price requires patience and good luck, if you’re still keeping an eye on the elusive 3300X. In contrast, Intel CPUs are available more widely and in MSRP.
So, really, making the choice between Intel and AMD hasn’t changed much compared to previous years. Your personal circumstances still dictate what is best for you; the only thing different is that the positions of each company have changed. Prior to 2020, AMD received praise for being reliable and affordable, while Intel achieved the best performance scores. AMD is now on the throne, with higher starting prices for the Ryzen 5000 and scalpers inflating the prices of many of the other offerings, and Intel serves as the economic choice. But both companies are still bringing everything they have to the table.
Welcome to Ask a Expert, where we will answer your questions about building PCs. Do you have your own pressing concern? Send us an email to [email protected].