AMD Ryzen 5 3600X vs. Intel Core i9-9900K for Gaming?

I've been looking at the AMD Ryzen 5 3600X and the Intel Core i9-9900K for my next build. Can anyone share their thoughts on which one would be better for gaming? Both seem to have similar performance, but I'm not sure which one to choose.

Hey @TheOrderlyMonki, both of those CPUs are great options! Personally, I've been using the 3600X and I'm really happy with it. It's got a higher base frequency and better PCIe support, which can make a difference in gaming, especially if you're using fast SSDs and graphics cards. Have you checked out this TechReviewer article AMD Ryzen 5 3600X vs. Intel Core i9-9900K? They did a pretty comprehensive comparison between the two.

Hey there! I read that article @CptRavioli mentioned, and it really helped me make my decision. Ultimately, it comes down to your specific needs and preferences. The Ryzen 5 3600X does have some advantages like better PCIe support and a higher base frequency. However, the i9-9900K has an edge in single-core performance which can be crucial for certain games. I'd recommend trying to find benchmarks for games you're interested in playing, as that could give you a better idea of which one would perform better.

Thanks for the input @simplygod, that's really helpful. I did some digging and it seems like the 3600X might be a bit more budget-friendly, which is important to me. Also, I'm planning on building a custom loop water cooling setup, so heat shouldn't be an issue.

That's great to hear @TheOrderlyMonki. The 3600X can indeed save you some money and it still delivers excellent performance. If you're comfortable with the base frequency and PCIe support, I think you'll be happy with your choice. Just make sure you've got a good quality CPU cooler, even though you're going with water cooling.

I was in the same boat as @TheOrderlyMonki a few months ago when deciding between these two CPUs. I went with the 3600X and haven't regretted it at all. The higher base frequency really makes a difference in some of the more demanding games, especially those with a lot of physics calculations.

I agree with @ryancshort. Ultimately, both CPUs will provide decent gaming performance, but the Ryzen 5 3600X's PCIe 4.0 support might give it a slight edge. If budget is a concern, then it's definitely worth considering. Just make sure you're comfortable with the specifications before making your choice.

Thanks for all the advice! I think I'm leaning towards the 3600X based on the budget and PCIe support factors. But I'll definitely keep an eye on single-core performance when I'm actually playing games.

That's a wise decision @TheOrderlyMonki. Remember to read up on some gaming benchmarks for both CPUs to get a better idea of how they perform in your favorite games. And don't forget to check out the TechReviewer article I mentioned earlier, it has a lot of useful information and comparisons.

Good luck with your build @TheOrderlyMonki! I'm sure you'll be happy with either choice, but the 3600X seems like a solid option for you. Let us know how it goes!

Thanks again everyone! I'll definitely keep you posted on my progress and which CPU I end up going with.