Consider selling if it's not worth keeping.
Consider selling if it's not worth keeping.
I received two 5900Xs from both Memory Express and VAG simultaneously. I claimed both, but MemEx got there first. At first, I thought selling the later one (BNIB) would be better. After installing it, the silicon quality seemed poor—diagnostic results showed a 4.4GHz @ 1.27V, which looks more like a 3900X than a 5900X. My main concern is whether this is the absolute worst possible configuration or if a worse chip exists. If it’s indeed the worst I can get, then I might sell the second one and keep using the first. Thanks ahead!
Unless you've verified the chip's performance, observing a program won't confirm its quality. If it fails testing versus another model, consider selling it. A difference in speed at room temperature doesn't guarantee issues in extreme cold. Ambient tests don't always predict behavior in colder conditions.
You're mixing up GHz with performance. It's easy to confuse these terms. You can't just compare CPUs using GHz values. A good illustration is the Pentium 4 at 3.0 GHz versus an Intel Core Duo at 2.0 GHz. The latter ran faster, but when you see it at 2.0 GHz, it might seem slower because of many instructions per cycle (IPS). Remember, GHz refers to clock speed, not actual CPU speed. It's okay to compare CPUs within the same architecture, like 5900x versus 5900, but don't overlook thread count or cores. This greatly affects performance. Focus on four factors: IPS, FLOPS, threads/cores, and real-world tests. For higher frequencies like 4.4 GHz, ensure proper cooling is in place.
CTR mentioned my 5800X could be a golden, silver, or bronze sample based on the settings I chose for my LLC. I ended up changing everything, focusing on the scalar and boosting it to +200Mhz, and I didn’t look back. Compared to CTR’s suggestions, my setup scored more than 100 points higher in Cinebench. Remember, I’m brand new to this as I haven’t overclocked or done serious research since buying a 2600K back in 2011.
I just enhanced the cooling for extra thermal flexibility. That said, it’s mainly a hobby and I’ll likely stick with ambient cooling. All adjustments are pushed to their limits. It’s always a decent test case. (And my 3700X and 3900XT—so no silicon wins here!)