Help me which CPU is better to buy in 2025: i5-14600K/KF or Ryzen 5 7600x?
Posted by Anton22117@reddit | buildapc | View on Reddit | 6 comments
I’m planning to upgrade my system and choosing between i5-14600K/KF and Ryzen 5 7600X. My current setup:
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i5-9400F
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16 GB DDR4 2666 MHz
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GTX 1660 Super
I built this PC 5 years ago, and now it's time for an upgrade. Just like my previous build, the new one will be mainly for gaming. I want to play modern AAA games now and in the next 5 years, as well as competitive online games like CS2, PUBG, Battlefield 2042, etc.
At first, I was leaning toward the i5-14600K, but then I started seeing concerns about:
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High temperatures
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Some defective batches reported by users
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BIOS updates required for proper stability
Then, I started seeing more recommendations for Ryzen 5 7600X, since AMD is currently leading in future-proofing, and the AM5 platform seems more long-term.
Right now, at this moment, the i5-14600K seems slightly better in most games, but the difference isn’t huge. At the same time, AM5 might be the better long-term choice since it will support future CPU upgrades.
What matters to me:
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I will upgrade my GPU soon after upgrading the CPU, motherboard, and RAM.
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I plan to buy 32 GB DDR5 6000 MHz CL30 (regardless of platform).
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With AM5, I can upgrade only the CPU in the future (e.g., to Ryzen 8000/9000 series).
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With LGA 1700, my only future upgrade options are i7/i9, and the platform won’t get new CPUs.
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I don’t plan to overclock, since my case only supports CPU coolers up to 160mm, which might not be enough for heavy overclocking. That’s why I’m only considering B650/B760, not X670/Z790.
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The price difference between the CPUs and motherboards is minimal.
The question:
Which option is better for 2025? Is it still worth buying Intel if it's on a "dead" socket, or is AM5 truly the better long-term choice? How will they compare in gaming now and in the future? Any thoughts or personal experiences would be appreciated!
PhoenixKing14@reddit
If you plan to upgrade your other components, you might as well go am5. I just bought a 14600kf because I didn't want to spend money on a whole new system, but since you'll do that either way I'd say go for the 76.
Anton22117@reddit (OP)
For the same reasons as you had when buying the 14600, I'm now thinking of getting the 7600x. Then, on the 1700 socket, you can install an i7, i9, but I don't think the gain will be significant. Now, in any case, I'll have to buy both a motherboard and new memory, and they cost the same, but if you think 5 years ahead... The question is, how much of a difference will there be now?
PhoenixKing14@reddit
They're very close in terms of performance. 14600k leads in some games, 7600 in others (I couldn't tell you which games, I just remember the benchmarks going back and forth).
Unless you have specific games you play that you know the 14600k is better on, just get the 7600 and have better options in the future.
Anton22117@reddit (OP)
They are really very close, but according to my observations 14600K shows itself better almost everywhere, of course, AMD was also stronger somewhere, but the tests that I looked at were somewhere 80:20 in favor of Intel. But this is only a benchmark and games.
At the same time, this difference of 5-15 FPS is quite insignificant, switching from 9400f and both will be an order of magnitude better.
With Intel you will get a little better performance now, but then for an update only a pair of i9 and a pair of i7 (for a normal price) and then - definitely a full upgrade. With AMD it is a little weaker now, but for further significant upgrade there are already several top models + official support will be at least another 2 years.
It looks obvious to other people, but it is difficult for me, that's why I am writing.
psimwork@reddit
A 7600X (or 9600X - same performance as the 7600X, but less power consumption/heat output, slightly more money) seems largely like a no-brainer for all the reasons you've mentioned. I feel like all the issues that come with the 14th gen Intel options (high power draw, possible degradation) outweigh the minor improvement in performance going from the 7600X to the 14600K.
Overclocking is largely an outdated practice at this point. We're not in the days of Sandy Bridge where you could get a crazy increase in performance by overclocking the CPU. Boost mechanics will get you pretty close to the max you could get via manual overclocking and you don't have to do anything for it.
In any case, unlike Intel, AMD doesn't lock the CPU for overclocking like Intel does on the B650 platform.
THAT SAID, B650 is kind of on the way out. There's a lot of good B850 options for similar (and often less) money with better specs, even if those specs are questionable as to whether or not there'll be much use for you.
With your cooler height restriction, AM5 is even more attractive, as the 7600X uses less power than the 14600K under full load (~173 watts vs ~116 per Gamers Nexus). Less power consumed = less heat generated.
Something that might be an even better option would be to consider the 9600X, as it gets the performance of the 7600X with even less power consumed (~80W IIRC).
Anton22117@reddit (OP)
Thank you for such a succinct and informative reply. Also with sources, very professional. Already added the 9600x to the list. I also agree that the problems with 14600K overshadow the already low superiority over 7600x. Thanks also for the information about overclocking, it played an important role in the comparison.
About motherboards. Can you tell me what would be optimal and not for 200 euros/dollars for 7600x/9700x? I looked at a couple from gigabyte and msi. Seemed pretty good, the only downside that stood out was not the most modern pins(if I say it right) for the video card. And yes, the b850s are for some reason completely unpopular in my country. There are categorically few reviews, and they are all priced 20-30 euros more expensive than 650. Specifically that I added from 650 - 2 boards from Gigabyte, one from msi and one from Asus (140-150 euros) Asus a little more expensive, but only because of the same "pins", which here are already better.(165 euros).
Also the moment of cooling, I do not want to put something above id- cooling se 226 or peerless assassin 120 SE. They are both 154-155mm, I wouldn't go higher - I think 14600k would be enough, but I can't be sure, with 7700/9600x it will be better, maybe even with reserve.
Thanks again, it will be interesting to hear further of your thoughts