INTEL

• Desktop CPU Market Share: 70%+
• Intel dominates the market in value and performance.
  
  • The Core i5 14400F, 14500, & 14600KF are my current recommendations.
    
    • Non-K heat output is so low that you can cool the CPU passively with no fans.
      
      • Can pair with Noctua passive NH-P1 for complete silence.
      • Can pair with passively-cooled GPU (using passive cooler) and fanless PSU for completely silent system.
        
    • K runs very hot, so unless you are willing to spend significantly more on the fans, CPU cooler, and power required, it’s not worth it vs. non-K.
      
    • Unlocked Intel (K series) is not recommended without water cooling.
      
    • The energy cost and room heating difference between K and non-K is significant and merits careful consideration.
      
• Warranty
  • Intel warranty service is unparalleled. They respond quickly, cover shipping, and promptly resolve the issue. Additionally, the failure rate is so low that claims are extremely rare.
    
  • They do not use serial unreadability as basis of denial for service like AMD does.
    
  • When getting service, you have the opportunity to instead receive a full refund of the original purchase price, this is significantly better than typical warranty service which usually just gives you another outdated and depreciated refurbished replacement.

AMD

• AMD: A History of Advanced Marketing Deception
• Desktop CPU Market Share: 18%
• Ryzen 7000 series
  • Has an unusually thick integrated heat spreader leading to unusually high operating temperatures, due to a poor engineering choice by AMD of preserving AM4 cooler compatibility at the cost of product lifespan and performance potential.
    
    • For more info see here: Ryzen 7000 Delidding – Unreal Temperature improvement with Direct-Die Cooling
      
  • Bad CPU / cooler combinations can create performance degradation so extreme that a lower end processor would be faster just because the CPU cooler can keep up.
    
  • Has unusually high operating temperatures which will lead to decreased CPU lifespan.
    
    • AMD says the absurdly high temperatures are okay, but they only stand to make money by decreasing the lifespan of their products and blanket accepting abnormally high operating temperatures that make Intel’s seem tame.
      
  • If you choose AMD, go non-X or if getting the X then plan to de-lid.
    • See Thermal Management section for de-lid tool and contact frame in the Ordering Guide – Mr. Robot
      • X not recommended unless the processor is water cooled, and either de-lidded or kneecapped with custom PBO power limits to avoid overheating.
      • The energy cost and room heating difference between X and non-X is significant and merits careful consideration.
        
  • The 7600 is the best value in the AMD lineup for gamers.
    
    However, the Intel 13400F is the same speed & 10% less money and is a better choice for new builds. Succeeded by 14400F.
    
    Additionally, the Intel 13500 is 7% faster & 6% more money and is also a better choice for new builds. Succeeded by 14500.
    
• Ryzen 7000X3D series
  • Have the same core architecture as the rest of the 7000 series but they have one group of eight “3D” cores with extra cache. The “3D” cores are priced higher but run at 10% lower clocks.
    
    • For most real-world tasks performance is comparable to the 7000X variants. Cache sensitive scenarios such as low res. canned game benchmarks with an RTX 4090 ($1,599) benefit at the cost of everything else.
      
    • Be wary of sponsored reviews with cherry picked games that showcase the wins, ignore frame drops and gloss over the losses.
      
    • Also watch out for AMD’s army of Neanderthal social media accounts on Reddit, Forums and YouTube, they will be singing their own praises as usual. AMD continues to develop “Advanced Marketing” relationships with select youtubers in the hope of compensating for second tier products with first tier marketing.
      
    • PC gamers considering any 7000X3D CPU need to work on their critical thinking skills: Influencers are paid handsomely to promote overpriced products.
      
    • Rational gamers have little reason to look further than the $299 Intel 13600K which offers better real-world gaming and better desktop performance at a fraction of the price. Succeeded by 14600K.
      
• Ryzen 5000 series
  • The 5600X3D at $229 is the best value 3D cache CPU in the AMD lineup for gamers that already have an AM4 platform and play titles that benefit from the large 3D cache, otherwise it has performance regression vs. non-X3D in titles that do not benefit from it due to the lower clocks.
    
    However, the Intel 13400F is 15% faster & 10% less money and is a better choice for new builds. Succeeded by 14400F.
    
  • The Ryzen 5600 at $139 is a budget alternative option for someone who already has an AM4 platform, as it avoids the AM5 or LGA1700 platform entry cost.
    
    However the Intel 13100F is 20% faster & 15% less money and is a better choice for new builds. Succeeded by 14100F.
    
  • The Ryzen 5800X3D at $299 is a more expensive X3D option for someone who already has an AM4 platform, as it avoids the AM5 or LGA1700 platform entry cost.
    
    However the Intel 13500 is 20% faster for 20% less money AND the Intel 13600K is 30% faster for the same money and either is a better choice for new builds. Succeeded by 14500/14600K.
    
• Warranty
  • AMD warranty becomes void with normal use, due to serial number becoming unreadable with normal operation. Intel does not have this problem. If you care about product lifespan, warranty coverage, or customer service then don’t even consider AMD.
  • See more superficial reasons why AMD will reject your warranty at the link below in the section titled
    “Step 2: Determine What Is Not Covered by Warranty“
    https://www.amd.com/en/support/kb/warranty-information/pib