AMD Ryzen - A viable alternative in 2019?

[CHiLL]

We will be looking to refresh a lot of our desktops across the site in summer 2020 and since the multi-core CPU generation, Intel has always been the goto for performance. However I have seen in the past several months that the new AMD Ryzen CPUs are blowing Intel's CPUs out of the water in productivity benchmarks. Since the majority of our ICT is used for Office based applications, browser based activities and some photo/video editing and website building, it seems that AMD is the way to go.

 

What does anyone else think regarding replacing Intel with AMD in schools?

Edited February 5, 2019 by CHiLL

[bald_pig]

There are a few of us here who would agree that Ryzen is viable, I've been running Ryzen at home, the problem is that OEMs don't appear to be selling Ryzen systems.

[3s-gtech]

They were viable soon after launch, but OEM traction is still poor due to various Intel contracts, shady deals and consumer ignorance. Now that the second gen chips are well established, and third aren't far away (7nm), even better. If you can get them, go for it.

[DalekSec]

I wouldn't say

viable alternative

i would say,

Much more bang for your buck

 

Ryzen is way better than any current intel line-up for multi purpose work loads, content creation and just general useage. The only thing intel has going for it at the moment is high per core speed (which is useful for some tasks such as Gaming) and thunderbolt 3 support. If you want a decent price/performance ratio Ryzen is your friend.

 

I've had the 1800x since it's come out and since then have recommended Ryzen to anyone planning a new build. I don't see why anyone would buy Intel other than for single core work loads like gaming or the need for thunderbolt 3, (or Optane lollums)

[bald_pig]

They were viable soon after launch, but OEM traction is still poor due to various Intel contracts, shady deals and consumer ignorance. Now that the second gen chips are well established, and third aren't far away (7nm), even better. If you can get them, go for it.

 

I wouldn't say 1st gen Ryzen was viable, the lack of integrated graphics would be an issue for most I'd say, but 2nd gen sorted that

[3s-gtech]

...so long as you buy a chip that has them, as it's not universal across Zen 2 (Raven Ridge only)! I wouldn't say lack of graphics cores makes them non-viable - cheap GPUs still exist. Academic for new buyers of course.

[Ditto]

We will be looking to refresh a lot of our desktops across the site in summer 2020 and since the multi-core CPU generation, Intel has always been the goto for performance. However I have seen in the past several months that the new AMD Ryzen CPUs are blowing Intel's CPUs out of the water in productivity benchmarks. Since the majority of our ICT is used for Office based applications, browser based activities and some photo/video editing and website building, it seems that AMD is the way to go.

What does anyone else think regarding replacing Intel with AMD in schools?

We had all our teacher desktops replaced with Zoostorm PCs about 3 months ago, each with Ryzen. I have not heard any issues so far. I don't know too much about exact specs and costs, but PM if it helps.

[psydii]

Ryzen is in a few thinkpads now (see E585)

 

On the desktop for most school workloads CPU’s are fast enough and have been for years. If you are doing multi-media work then the ryzen with their associated GPUs bundles absolutely nail it, unless you compare to the unique combo in the iMac/MacBook Pro.

 

We are talking 25% more editing time with a rx5xx or intel iris plus compared to vanilla intel.

[MicrodigitUK]

Dell are doing some Ryzen units with the Optiplex 5055. https://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/cty/optiplex-5055-tower-and-small-form-factor/spd/optiplex-5055-desktop/features

[Ditto]

I couldn't see a Ryzen based device for UK - would be good to know if Dell plan to add it to their list.

[Jawloms]

I'm after laptops currently and was quoted these yesterday;

 

PCSCTO255G7

HP 255 G7 Laptop, AMD Ryzen 3 2200U Dual Core 3.4GHz 5MB Cache AMD Radeon Vega 3, 8GB DDR4 2400 (16GB Max), 256 GB SSD - (M.2 2280) SATA 6Gb/s - Self-Encrypting Drive, TPM 2.0, 15.6 Full HD 1920*1080, No-DVD, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.2, Windows 10 Home, 3 Year HP Collect/Return (Dark Ash/Silver) (2 x USB 3.1 Gen, USB 2.0, HDMI, Headphone/microphone combo jack, LAN, SD Card, SDHC Card, SDXC Card) 1.78KG

£354ea + VAT

[MicrodigitUK]

I couldn't see a Ryzen based device for UK - would be good to know if Dell plan to add it to their list.

 

We are based in the UK and We have 35 Dell Optiplex 5055 all ruining AMD Ryzen that we got in the Summer 2018

[Ditto]

Hmm - didn't show up on the website - I'll have another look. Maybe Dell have been gotten at again - I recall years ago they went AMD for a very short while and I'm sure there was talk of Intel pressure!

[Arthur]

Hmm - didn't show up on the website

 

https://www.dell.com/premier/uk

 

 

[Ditto]

Well that's fairly conclusive

 

However, and I did go via http://www.del.co.uk, this is what I saw. This was after selecting 'Work'. Under Home, they had one Inspiron with an A9. I can see you looked under 'Premier'.

Can't say I follow Dell's marketing strategy!?

You'll see this is under work. I can now see they have the

[HTCPCP]

No longer education - but if I were I would be all over the Ryzen chips - The 2200G is a great performer and brilliant bang for the buck! Then again, including VAT and without volume purchasing, you can get a GT710 which is more than capable for everything you need at the moment.

 

Now, over in business, when purchasing new equipment, I am now actively pestering my account managers for Ryzen 5 and 7 kit, as even with a 1030 GDDR5, or even a 1050, it's really competetive