Intel CPU or AMD CPU?

In terms of value, it's easy to make the case for AMD's Ryzen CPUs. You can get an 8-core/16-thread Ryzen 7 CPU starting at just $160, and that includes a cooler that works well with the CPU. Step down to 6-core/12-thread Ryzen 5 and they start as low as $120. AMD also makes budget-friendly APUsa 4-core CPU combined with a modest integrated graphics solution that's typically twice as fast as Intel's current integrated graphics. For each category, Intel's equivalent CPUs cost anywhere from $25 to $300 morea budget Core i3 won't cost that much more than a Ryzen 3 APU, but the high-end Core i9-9900K costs substantially more than the Ryzen 7 2700X.

Intel CPUs are typically the favorite choice for performance and overclocking enthusiasts. While the overclocking range for the latest 8-core parts is limited (4.9-5.1GHz being the typical maximum without exotic cooling solutions), the 8th Gen parts hit similar overclocks but start at lower base clocks. Intel's top CPUs cost more than their AMD counterparts, especially once you add in a decent cooler, but they're also faster. AMD has nothing that can beat the Core i9-9900K, in games or other applications... but the Ryzen 7 3800X might change that.

How much are you willing to pay for the final boost in performance that Intel offers? And are you willing to wait for AMD's upcoming Ryzen 3000, which could close the gap and potentially even beat the 9900K? For multithreaded workloads (eg, video editing and encoding), AMD's Ryzen CPUs are very competitive. I'd also be remiss if I didn't point out how long Intel sat at 4-core/8-thread mainstream desktop CPUs. It's mostly thanks to AMD and it's Ryzen processors that Intel has started shipping 6-core and 8-core CPUs at far more reasonable prices.

Right now, the competition for CPU dominance between AMD and Intel is closer than we've seen since the first Athlon 64 parts in 2003. AMD hasn't held the performance crown since 2006not in every meaningful category at leastbut with 7nm Ryzen 3000 CPUs coming on July 7, and Intel still stuck at 14nm with Coffee Lake, this year is AMD's best shot at the title. Let's hope Ryzen 3000 can live up to the hype.