I'm planning to build a new PC primarily for music production and gaming. Currently, I'm struggling with my 5-year-old Omen laptop that has a Ryzen 5 4800H and GTX 1650 Ti, which is limiting my music work, especially when I create large projects filled with plugins. My CPU usage spikes to 100%, which has become frustrating. I need a more powerful setup that will last a long time. Along with my DAW, my wife also needs a machine capable of handling CPU-intensive chess analysis. I'm considering a solid CPU, as I'd like to avoid getting stuck worrying about CPU usage again. I'm thinking of getting 32GB of 6000MHz RAM and a couple of fast WD SSDs. I've heard mixed opinions about Intel's 13th and 14th gen CPUs - they look appealing on benchmark sites but some advise against them in favor of AMD processors like the 9700X. Also, I'm stuck deciding between the RTX 5070 and RX 9070 XT for gaming; I simply want stable 80-90 FPS for upcoming titles at 1440p, without too much concern for ray tracing. Can anyone clarify the pros and cons of Intel CPUs today and help me understand which GPU could best suit my needs?
1 Answer
First off, definitely avoid Userbenchmark - they're notoriously biased against AMD. Intel really isn’t looking great right now in terms of value, but if you find a good deal, it might still work for you. Just keep an eye on pricing between Intel and AMD. For your GPU choice, Nvidia's tech like DLSS can be cool, but it also has downsides, like potential artifacts. The RX 9070 XT generally gives better raw performance than the RTX 5070 for the price. If you can snag the 9070 XT at MSRP, that's probably your best bet for the gaming side, especially if you're not super focused on upscaling or features.
Thanks for the detailed explanation! I heard from Nvidia fans that the ‘extra features’ are better, but the 9070 XT feels safer for the long haul.