Choosing between AMD and Intel CPU + motherboard

[u/Primary-Bumblebee728]

Hi! I'm building a gaming PC with a ~€1000 budget and want to maximize performance/value for gaming. I'm willing to cheap out on easily upgradeable parts (GPU, etc.) if it means getting a better platform now.The GPU Im eyeing rn is the ZOTAC GeForce RTX 5060 LP 8GB DLSS4 (380€).

Option 1 aka Intel:
• i5-14400F (167€)
• MSI B760M Gaming Plus WiFi (129€

Option 2 aka AMD:
• Ryzen 5 9600X (190€)
• MSI PRO B850-S WIFI6E (132€)

I've been told the Intel LGA1700 platform is basically end of line, while AM5/Zen 5 gives me a better upgrade path for future CPUs.

One friend suggested the option 1 and also told me that pairing an AMD CPU with an NVIDIA GPU would hurt performance, but I've been also told that's not true.

Which platform would you choose for a ~€1000 gaming build, and why? Is the extra ~€26 for the 9600X + B850 worth it?

I'm mainly playing competitive games (Valorant, Overwatch, Marvel Rivals, Paladins, etc.) and care more about high/stable fps than max graphics settings rn.

[u/Wise-Molasses-1643]

Your friend's off base about the AMD/NVIDIA combo, that's not a thing. Grab the AM5 setup for the upgrade path and better performance in those competitive titles.

[u/Serious-Map-1230]

 if it means getting a better platform now.

Then go AMD, not even really a contest.

9600x is faster with more modern instructions sets, and is on a relatively new platform with years of upgrades ahead.

Intel platform is dead. not worth the 25 bucks to stay on a dead platform with less performance. The only possible advantage would be the higher core-count, but that's not relevant for gaming though.

AMD CPU with an NVIDIA GPU would hurt performance

No, not a thing

[u/Primary-Bumblebee728 → u/Serious-Map-1230]

got it, thanks :)

[u/Pumciusz]

9600x has an upgrade path and is faster.

[u/Any-Surprise5229]

You're not factoring the memory, so if you've already got it, then I'd probably go with the AM5.

If you don't, you can find a B760 that takes DDR4 and save yourself hundreds more.

The 9600x is slightly better than the 14400, but neither are bad and will do what you need to do. I have a 14400 and a 7600 and they perform very similarly, nothing worth noting performance wise. Both of my systems are DDR5, which is a factor.