I'm stuck choosing between the 7700x priced at $215 and the 14600k which is going for $179 and comes with a free 1TB SSD. I plan to game at 1440p, do some streaming, and multitask a lot. My priority is to find a CPU that runs as cool and efficiently as possible. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
4 Answers
In real-world usage, both CPUs are quite comparable and you probably won't see much difference for gaming. The 7700x is definitely more power-efficient. If budget is tight, consider the 7700 instead of the 7700x, as it's nearly the same with minor tweaks and usually cheaper.
If you're only focused on gaming, the 9600x could be worth a look, but it really depends on your overall usage. The 14600k might be appealing if you can get a quality board to go with it that allows for future upgrades.
Having bought 3x 14600k lately because of the deals, I'd recommend going for the 7700x if it's within your budget. You should also think about if you need that SSD as part of your decision. The overall value changes if you plan to sell it. Plus, motherboards for Intel can be more expensive if you're considering future upgrades. AMD's AM5 boards aren't that pricey anymore either if you search for a deal.
I'd go for the 7700x. The performance per watt with the AMD CPUs is just way better than Intel. If you're considering something really powerful, the 9700x is even better, but it's around $300, which is over your budget. Stick with the 7700x if you're looking for a solid choice!
9700x is definitely out of my range. The 7700x seems worth it then, especially for gaming and multitasking.
That's a great point! I've seen some good prices on AM5 boards lately. Might lean towards the 7700x with a good motherboard deal.