I'm planning a gaming PC with a Radeon RX 9070 and initially chose an AMD Ryzen 5 9600X. I also use Adobe After Effects fairly often—close to daily—and I'm concerned that a six-core CPU might hold back editing and rendering performance. Should I switch to Intel or choose a different AMD processor? I'd like to keep the CPU around $150–$180, and I haven't bought any parts yet. I'm in the US, about 45 minutes from a Micro Center, and was considering a B850 motherboard.
4 Answers
The 9800X3D is primarily a high-end gaming choice and is well outside the stated budget. It would be excellent for gaming, but it isn't the sensible answer if frequent After Effects work is the reason you're considering a CPU change. For your budget, prioritize a good mainstream CPU and upgrade later if your projects prove too demanding.
If you can find a Micro Center bundle, compare the complete package rather than focusing only on the processor price. A discounted CPU, motherboard, and memory bundle could make a higher-core-count chip worthwhile. Otherwise, keep the 9600X and spend the difference on sufficient RAM and fast storage, both of which can also affect an After Effects workflow.
Intel's Core Ultra 5 250KF may be faster for heavily threaded productivity work because it has more total cores, but it usually costs closer to $200 and also requires an LGA1851 motherboard. Once the platform cost is included, it may not fit your original budget as well as the 9600X on AM5. Check the total CPU-plus-motherboard price before switching platforms.
The 9600X is a strong gaming CPU and should pair well with the RX 9070. Since you're coming from a Ryzen 3 system, it will already be a huge upgrade. After Effects can benefit from additional cores in some workloads, but the best choice depends on how complex your projects and renders are. At the $150–$180 price point, the 9600X is a reasonable balance rather than an obvious mistake.
I use After Effects fairly often—almost every day—but I'm not sure how noticeable the difference would be. I'm currently editing on a Ryzen 3, so pretty much anything would be a major improvement.