CPU choice help

[Falcon]

With the persistent BSoD with my current system is getting, I think it could be time for a new build. The last one lasted me 4 years, so hoping the new system will last as long.
I've used ITX cases for a while, I like the small form factor, so that limits my options to ITX motherboards, but before I pick one I need to work out which CPU would be best value for my use.
I do a bit of gaming and photo processing along with general working from home office work; I am however getting into astrophotography and would like to start using Pixinsight down the road for stacking the hundreds of images taken, it's recommended to have a minimum of 8 cores.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

 

[Tetras]

If you're going Intel (memory is just a placeholder, OCUK 64GB stock doesn't seem too great right now):

My basket at OcUK:

• 1 x Intel Core i7-13700F (Raptor Lake) Socket LGA1700 Processor - Retail (SKU: CP-6BD-IN) = £359.99
• 1 x Asus ROG Strix B760-I Gaming WIFI (LGA 1700) DDR5 ITX Motherboard (SKU: MB-6KB-AS) = £199.99
• 1 x Corsair Vengeance 64GB (2X32GB) DDR5 PC5-41600C40 5200MHz Dual Channel Kit - Black (CMK64GX5M2B5200C40 (SKU: MY-4DC-CS) = £179.99

Total: £747.96 (includes delivery: £7.99)​

 

[Falcon]

Thanks, that's the motherboard I was thinking off if I go Intel, if I go with AMD it would be the Asus B650E-I.

Is the reason for suggesting that cpu the core count? Whats the difference between performance cores and efficient cores on the intel cpus?

 

[Tetras]

Is the reason for suggesting that cpu the core count?

Yes, though the 13600K can actually do quite well for mixed usage. Personally, I'd stick with the 13700 and 8 P-Cores.

Whats the difference between performance cores and efficient cores on the intel cpus?

The performance cores have higher IPC and are used for maximum performance, in single-thread heavy stuff and especially games. They do most of the heavy lifting, so something like the 12400 (0 efficiency cores) does just fine in games.

The efficiency cores help the CPU boost the multithreaded performance and are especially useful in long-run heavily multithreaded tasks like rendering.

More here:

13th Gen Intel® Core™ desktop processors adapt to the ways you work and play. When gaming, the processor prevents background tasks from interrupting or using high-performance cores, resulting in smoother gameplay. When you’re using your system for general computing tasks — like, say, working with 4K video while listening to some tunes and managing your channel — it provides a smoother system-level experience.

13th Gen desktop processors integrate two types of cores into a single die: powerful Performance-cores (P-cores) and flexible Efficient-cores (E-cores). Both types of core have a different role.

Performance-cores are:

• Physically larger, high-performance cores designed for raw speed while maintaining efficiency.
• Tuned for high turbo frequencies and high IPC (instructions per cycle).
• Ideal for crunching through the heavy single-threaded work demanded by many game engines.
• Capable of hyper-threading, which means running two software threads at once.

Efficient-cores are:

• Physically smaller, with multiple E-cores fitting into the physical space of one P-core.
• Designed to maximize CPU efficiency, measured as performance-per-watt.
• Ideal for scalable, multi-threaded performance. They work in concert with P-cores to accelerate core-hungry tasks (like when rendering video, for example).
• Optimized to run background tasks efficiently. Smaller tasks can be offloaded to E-cores — for example, handling Discord or antivirus software — leaving P-cores free to drive gaming performance.
• Capable of running a single software thread.

How 13th Gen Intel® Core™ Processors Work

Next gen support. Enhanced overclocking. Revolutionary hybrid design. Learn what makes 13th Gen Intel® Core™ desktop processors tick.

www.intel.com

 

[Falcon]

Thanks for explaining about the difference.