Intel or Amd? Part 2
AMD vs. Intel: Overclocking
Clock speeds are a great way to compare processors against each other -- 2.7GHz, 4.5GHz, etc. -- but keep in mind these numbers are not fixed figures. Boost clocks offer temporary performance gains under specific scenarios, but if you delve into the realm of manual 'overclocking,' you can net yourself a nice bump in performance as well.Overclocking a processor is straightforward, depending on your chosen method, but not every processor can do it. Most CPUs ship with “locked” multipliers, which prevent any attempt to overclock the CPU's cores.
Luckily, both Intel and AMD offer unlocked CPUs at a variety of price points. If you opt for an Intel CPU, look out for those with a "K" or "X" in the processor label, such as the Core i7-8700K. In comparison, all of AMD's Ryzen chips support overclocked speeds -- though not all have full support for the automated overclocking, XFR feature.Overclocking, in general, is very much dependent on the chips themselves. In our tests, the Ryzen 7 1800X performed well after an overclock, but we weren’t able to squeeze too much extra power out of AMD’s eight-core processor. The more mid-range 1700 and 1700X chips, however, are said to be better at handling overclocked speeds.
Intel's latest generation of chips that do allow overclocking are somewhat more even in their potential, though their maximum is very much down to luck, as some chips can go further than others. You'll also need decent cooling for most overclocking scenarios.
If you're in the market to purchase and overclock a processor, then Intel's higher-end solutions would be your best bet given their highly-established overclocking scene. Ryzen and Threadripper chips have strong potential too, and with a host of new memory options, may be more suited for those looking to deep dive into pushing their chip to its maximum. And you can overclock affordable AMD chips, while most affordable Intel chips don't offer that option.
AMD vs. Intel: Who wins?
During an everyday workload, a top-end AMD chip and a top-end Intel chip won’t produce radically different outcomes. There are clear distinctions in specific scenarios and benchmarks, but the CPU isn't the keystone of PC performance that it once was.That said, AMD's CPUs, especially at the mid-range and lower-end of the spectrum, do tend to offer slightly better value than Intel's chips. Conversely, Intel CPUs have stronger single-core and gaming performance than even AMD's best Threadripper CPUs. In return, those looking to use applications with a heavier multi-threaded focus should derive more benefit from a modern AMD CPU.When it comes to choosing your next upgrade, looking at the individual performance numbers of the chip you want to buy is still your best bet, but considering these general guidelines will give you a good foundation of where to start. Thanks to Ryzen's leapfrogging of previous AMD chips in terms of power and value, the CPU market is now highly competitive after residing in a stagnant state for a number of years.
Arguably, Intel is still the safe bet, especially for gamers, but AMD's alternatives are more viable than ever. For system builders with deep pockets, AMD's Threadripper chips are incredibly powerful, so keep your eyes peeled on benchmarks. Gamers on the extreme budget-end of the spectrum may consider AMD's Ryzen APUs, but if you can stretch your budget a little more, a CPU paired with a dedicated graphics card will offer much better performance.AMD's older FX and A-Series chips, meanwhile, are not competitive with Intel, and at this point never will be. So if you're looking to older generations of hardware for whatever reason, our Intel recommendation is far more firm.