AMD 7950X vs Intel 13900K for Music Production: The Result

Bjørnar Kibsgaard

29 Oct 202209:42

Summary

TLDRThe video compares AMD's 7950x and Intel's 13900k CPUs for music and content production. Both CPUs offer strong performance, making them suitable for most users. Benchmarks show AMD's 7950x generally outperforms the 13900k, but Intel's 13900k excels in some specific tasks like sampled instruments and budget-friendly builds due to its compatibility with DDR4 memory. The discussion includes feedback from Reaper and FL Studio, emphasizing single-core performance for real-time audio. Ultimately, the choice depends on budget, specific use cases, and preference between Intel's cost-efficiency and AMD's future-proof tech.

Takeaways

🔄 Both the AMD 7950x and Intel 3900k are top consumer CPUs and offer similar performance for most music and content production tasks.
🎶 For music production, both CPUs are solid choices, but individual needs and preferences may dictate which to choose.
⚖️ Benchmarks show mixed results: AMD 7950x wins in some tests, but Intel 3900k excels in others, especially in lower buffer sizes and specific scenarios like using sampled instruments.
💰 Intel systems can be more budget-friendly due to cheaper DDR4 memory and lower motherboard costs, while AMD offers the latest technology with AM5 socket support.
💡 AMD 7950x is highlighted for being future-proof, with some content creators reporting better stability compared to Intel systems.
🔧 Image Line (FL Studio) emphasizes that multi-core CPUs are important but that more cores don't always mean better performance in music production due to the importance of single-core performance.
🎛️ Single-core performance remains critical in audio production, as overloading a single core can cause glitches even in high-core-count CPUs.
💻 Reaper suggests that both CPUs have close single-core performance and that the best choice depends on specific use cases, especially the types of plugins and VSTs used.
📊 Puget Systems' tests show that Intel's 13th-gen CPUs offer notable improvements over the 12th-gen, with the Intel 13900k providing great performance at a lower price point than AMD.
🏆 If cost isn't an issue and you're looking for the absolute best performance, the AMD 7950x is the top performer, though Intel still leads in value for money in certain cases.

Q & A

What are the two main CPUs being compared for music and content production in the script?
-The two main CPUs compared in the script are the AMD Ryzen 7950X and the Intel i9-13900K.
How do the Ryzen 7950X and Intel 13900K compare in terms of performance for music production?
-Both CPUs perform similarly overall, but the Intel 13900K tends to win in lower buffer size tests (e.g., 64 buffer size), while the AMD Ryzen 7950X performs better in certain high-end benchmarks. Both are suitable for music production, but specific tasks may influence the choice.
Why might Intel be a better choice for a budget music production build?
-Intel systems can use DDR4 memory and their motherboards are generally less expensive compared to AMD's AM5 socket boards. This can result in a lower overall system cost while still maintaining good performance.
What did the video author say about AMD’s future-proofing in relation to the 7950X?
-The author mentions that the AMD 7950X is a future-proof system because it is built with the latest technology, making it a strong option for those who value staying current, even if it’s not strictly necessary for everyone.
What was the feedback provided by FL Studio about choosing a CPU for music production?
-FL Studio emphasizes that while multi-core CPUs are useful, beyond a certain point more cores aren't necessarily better. They recommend a CPU with 8-12 physical cores and strong single-core performance to avoid audio glitches during real-time playback.
How does single-core performance impact music production, according to the script?
-Single-core performance is crucial because if one core becomes overloaded, it can cause audio glitches during real-time playback, regardless of how many other cores are available.
What was Reaper’s response to the CPU comparison for their software?
-Reaper mentioned that both CPUs (AMD 7950X and Intel 13900K) have similar single-core performance, which remains important for their software. The choice depends on specific usage, such as plugin and track count.
What factor is essential for intensive plugin usage in music production, as noted in the script?
-For intensive plugin usage, the more cores and higher performance the CPU has, the better, as this can help handle the significant load of running multiple VSTs and plugins simultaneously.
According to Puget Systems, which CPU would be better for budget-conscious buyers?
-Puget Systems recommends Intel’s 13th-gen processors (e.g., 13600K, 13700K, 13900K) for budget-conscious buyers, as they provide a good balance of performance and cost.
What conclusion does the author draw regarding the best CPU for a high-end build?
-For a high-end, top-of-the-line build without budget constraints, the author leans toward the AMD Ryzen 7950X, noting its excellent performance and future-proof technology.

Outlines

00:00

🤔 Comparing AMD 7950x and Intel 13900k for Music and Content Production

The paragraph begins by discussing the test results for the AMD 7950x and Intel 13900k, which are both top-tier consumer CPUs suitable for music and content production PCs. The performance differences in benchmarks are examined, focusing on specific buffer size tests where each CPU excels in different areas. The user also explores posts from online forums and mentions that their budget priorities, like Spotify marketing, affect the choice of hardware. The AMD 7950x generally outperforms in higher buffer sizes, but the Intel 13900k shines at 64 buffer size. DDR5 memory also plays a significant role in overall performance, with further insights drawn from personal experiences and tech influencers.

05:03

🎵 CPU Considerations for Music Production: Balancing Cores and Performance

This paragraph delves deeper into the CPU performance considerations for music production, highlighting input from FL Studio, Reaper, and Puget Systems. The focus shifts to balancing core count with single-core performance, as overloading a single core can lead to audio glitches during real-time playback. Recommendations suggest not overspending on the highest-end CPUs, with options in the $300-$500 range often providing the best value. Puget Systems and other experts also advise that beyond a certain point, more cores don’t necessarily improve performance in music production, reinforcing the need for a balance between core count and base clock speed.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡7950X

The AMD Ryzen 9 7950X is one of the latest top-of-the-line consumer CPUs from AMD, featuring advanced architecture and future-proof technology. In the context of the video, it is considered a strong option for music and content production systems, especially for those looking for cutting-edge technology.

💡13900K

The Intel Core i9-13900K is a high-performance CPU from Intel's 13th generation. It is positioned as a competitor to the AMD 7950X and is noted for its performance, particularly in sampled instrument use cases. The video discusses its strengths in specific music production benchmarks, especially with smaller buffer sizes.

💡DDR5 memory

DDR5 memory is the latest generation of computer RAM, offering faster speeds and higher performance compared to DDR4. In the video, it's noted that DDR5 has a significant impact on music production performance, particularly in CPU benchmarks between the 7950X and 13900K.

💡Buffer size

Buffer size refers to the amount of time allocated for processing audio before it is sent to the speakers. Smaller buffer sizes allow for lower latency but are more demanding on the CPU. In the video, the comparison between the 7950X and 13900K highlights different performance outcomes at varying buffer sizes, impacting music production.

💡DAW benchmarks

Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) benchmarks refer to performance tests that assess how well CPUs handle music production tasks within DAW software like FL Studio or Reaper. These benchmarks are central to the video as the speaker compares the capabilities of the 7950X and 13900K for running intensive projects in these environments.

💡Contact 6

Kontakt 6 is a popular software sampler used in music production for playing sampled instruments. The video references performance benchmarks that show how well the 7950X and 13900K handle Kontakt 6 workloads, which is crucial for producers using sample-heavy projects.

💡FL Studio

FL Studio is a popular digital audio workstation (DAW) used for music production. In the video, the speaker mentions reaching out to FL Studio's creators, Image Line, to inquire about CPU recommendations for running large, complex projects. The response emphasizes the importance of single-core performance.

💡Single-core performance

Single-core performance refers to how efficiently a CPU can execute tasks on a single processing core. In the context of music production, it is still highly relevant, as real-time audio processing can experience glitches if even one core is overloaded, regardless of how many other cores are available.

💡Puget Systems

Puget Systems is a company that specializes in building custom computers for specific applications like content creation and music production. The video references an article from Puget Systems, which offers insights into CPU choices, highlighting that Intel processors may offer better value for mid-range builds compared to AMD.

💡Future-proofing

Future-proofing refers to choosing hardware that is expected to remain relevant and capable of handling future software updates and workloads. In the video, the 7950X is described as a 'future-proof' system due to its advanced technology, making it a good investment for users who want their systems to last over time.

Highlights

The 7950x and 13900k are the top consumer CPUs from AMD and Intel for music and content production.

Both CPUs are excellent choices for 95% of users, with differences primarily relevant to high-end or niche needs.

Benchmarks show the 7950x slightly outperforming the 13900k in certain tests, but the Intel option pulls ahead in others.

At 64 buffer size, the 13900k outperforms the 7950x in specific tests, highlighting differences in low-latency workloads.

DDR5 memory significantly impacts performance, with both CPUs showing strong results, depending on configuration.

For higher buffer sizes (256 and 512), the Intel 13900k has better performance in certain tests using sampled instruments.

Intel systems can be more budget-friendly, as they support DDR4 memory and have more affordable motherboards.

AMD’s 7950x is the latest technology and may appeal to those seeking a future-proof system.

Image Line (FL Studio) suggests that the best value in CPUs is usually found a few levels below top-tier models.

For music production, single-core performance is still crucial, as an overloaded core can cause audio glitches.

Reaper also emphasizes that CPU choice depends heavily on the specific plugin usage and track count.

Intel’s 13th Gen CPUs show massive generational improvements, with up to 29% better performance over 12th Gen.

Intel’s 13th Gen mid-tier CPUs outperform similarly priced AMD counterparts, making Intel a solid budget option.

For top-tier performance without concern for budget, the AMD 7950x is the strongest option by an 8% margin.

The decision between Intel and AMD depends on whether the user prioritizes budget or maximum performance.