I'm building my first PC and was advised to choose the CPU first. As a computer science major, I need to run multiple IDEs like CLion and PyCharm at the same time. My current setup is an aging Intel Core i7-6700 @ 3.40 GHz, and I'm considering switching to AMD for my new build. I'd also like to game on this PC in the future. What CPU would provide the best longevity and performance for my needs?
2 Answers
Currently, the leading Intel CPU is a great choice. If you're leaning towards AMD, I recommend the Ryzen 7600X for impressive performance.
When it comes to running multiple IDEs, the focus should really be on having plenty of RAM rather than just a powerful CPU. You might find yourself gently juggling several IDEs at once, but typically you'd only be actively coding in one. Just be aware that if you plan on running heavy applications or VMs simultaneously, like compiling C++ code, you’ll definitely need a stronger memory setup. I recently invested in a 9900X with 64GB of RAM, and it's been fantastic!
Thanks for the insight! I definitely understand that RAM is crucial. Quick question, should I also consider the cache size in the CPU for my type of work?