Question Intel or AMD for specific type of desktop

[cgeorgy]

Hello,
I'm having a hard time deciding on a desktop configuration.
Last time when I did this was more than 10 years ago, I have the feeling this is a more complex task in present.

My kind of workload : run 2-3 VMs in parallel, software development, Docker, various databases.
Display : I already have two monitors 2560x1440 at 60Hz with DisplayPort 1.2 (in/out) and USB Type-C port, I want them run in parallel with the new desktop.
Mobo size : should be Micro-ATX so that I can have more than 64 GB RAM and a case that is not too large ; 2x M.2 NVMe SSDs.
Things with moving parts : low noise is very important. I don't want cheap case, PSU, cooler and fans.
Games : only Starcraft 2, I am very happy how it runs on Asus ROG laptop from 2015 with i7 4710HQ, 16GB RAM and Nvidia GeForce GTX 860M ... just to have an idea about my gaming needs.

For max budget of USD 500-550 these three CPUs are most interesting for me : i9-10900K (10 cores) vs. Ryzen 5 5600x (6 cores) vs. Ryzen 7 5800x (8 cores)

1. For the workload described above, I have the feeling that more cores is better, even if the CPU with more cores is not the best in benchmarks.
Can I assume this ?
( Most people around urge me to buy Ryzen... without asking me why do i need a new computer )

2. I've read some articles stating that some i9 models have slightly better RAM latency compared with similar (in terms of pricing) Ryzen.
Is this right ?

3. If I were to choose i9 with embedded UHD Graphics 630, on a decent mobo and with no discrete graphics card, I am going to have a noticeable performance penalty ?
Should be possible to have 2x 2560x1440 at 60Hz on a single DisplayPort delivered by mobo ?

Thank you for help !

 

[cgeorgy]

... I'd also say that having lots of RAM is also more important than the CPU. IMO this is a case where quantity counts more than performance. VMWARE will let me over provision RAM but if the VMs demand more than the system has, once again everything will crawl.
Depending on just what the various VMs are doing, the CPU may matter a lot less than you think. A lot of the time most 9f my VMs are sitting there at idle waiting for input. I'd vote for more slower cores over a smaller number of faster cores.

This was exactly my thought when I initially started this thread, regarding the count of slower vs. faster cores.

Finally I decided for Ryzen 7 5800x with 2x32 GB RAM, which has 2Rx8 for "# of Ranks x DRAM devices".

The mobo and RAM combination supports an additional extension for a total 128 GB with exactly the same RAM type, in case I feel something is crawling.
( I have almost one month to test this CPU+mobo+RAM combination, I can return any of then if something is not right )

 

[Ratman6161]

This was exactly my thought when I initially started this thread, regarding the count of slower vs. faster cores.

Finally I decided for Ryzen 7 5800x with 2x32 GB RAM, which has 2Rx8 for "# of Ranks x DRAM devices".

The mobo and RAM combination supports an additional extension for a total 128 GB with exactly the same RAM type, in case I feel something is crawling.
( I have almost one month to test this CPU+mobo+RAM combination, I can return any of then if something is not right )

Sounds like a good setup. I'm using a 3700X and 32GB (2x16) DDR4 3600 and not having any issues.