I've used gaming laptops for about 10 years, but I'm planning to build my first desktop PC. I'll mainly use it for gaming, high-end emulation such as Xenia and PCSX4, and streaming to my current laptop with Moonlight since I usually play from bed.
I was considering Intel's Core Ultra 7 265K, but AMD's Ryzen 7 9700X and its compatible motherboards are cheaper. Would the 9700X be powerful enough for demanding emulation, and are there any compatibility concerns with emulators or fan games? I may also use an RTX 5070 because I can get one cheaply from a friend—would pairing it with an AMD processor cause any issues?
For DDR5 memory, would 3×8GB or 16GB + 8GB be the better temporary setup? Memory is unusually expensive where I live, so I may start with 24GB and upgrade in a few years.
I already have a PTM7950 thermal pad from my laptop. Is it suitable for a desktop CPU instead of regular thermal paste? I'm planning to use an air cooler.
Finally, is Wi-Fi 6 good enough for smooth Moonlight streaming to my laptop? I won't be playing competitive games.
2 Answers
For a high-load CPU, a good air cooler is perfectly reasonable as long as the case has adequate airflow. An AIO can help in some situations, but it also adds pump and maintenance considerations, so it isn’t required. Since you already own PTM7950, using it is fine, though it’s especially popular in laptops because their cooling systems are more constrained. AMD’s newer platform also gives you a better future upgrade path than choosing a platform that is near its end.
The Ryzen 7 9600X or Intel Core Ultra 5 250K may offer similar gaming performance for less money, so it’s worth comparing those before paying extra for the 9700X or 265K. Modern desktop CPUs use the standardized x86 platform, so AMD processors work normally with emulators and fan games. Nvidia and AMD graphics cards are also compatible with either CPU, so the discounted RTX 5070 won’t have a matching problem.
For DDR5, 16GB + 8GB is generally preferable to three separate sticks because two modules are easier for the memory controller to run at higher speeds. Ideally, though, save for a matched 2×16GB kit when possible. The older DDR4 layouts would not be compatible with the platforms being considered.
PTM7950 is usable on a desktop CPU, although a good conventional thermal paste may perform better initially. The pad tends to hold up well over time. Wi-Fi 6 should be sufficient for Moonlight if the connection is on 5GHz, the signal is strong, and the network isn’t heavily congested. In a crowded apartment, a nearby 6GHz access point could help reduce interference.
Thanks! The RTX 5070 would be much cheaper because I’m buying it from a friend, so I mainly wanted to confirm that pairing it with an AMD CPU wouldn’t cause compatibility issues. I’m also considering 24GB of DDR5 because memory is extremely expensive here, then I’ll replace the 8GB stick or expand later.
That makes sense. I already have the PTM7950, so using it would save me from buying another item, and my case has front-to-back airflow with limited clearance above the CPU cooler.