Current state of Intel's CPU technology.
Current state of Intel's CPU technology.
Then you'd likely want a Threadripper with a robust TR air tower or a solid AIO setup. They deliver better performance both initially and under heavy use, offering more cores for VMs or demanding tasks. As a HEDT model, they provide greater RAM and PCIe lane capacity—unless you're not needing those and your workload stays under 16 cores, then the 3950X is a strong choice. The 9900K shines in video production but falls short in other areas, making it less competitive unless your budget is very tight (around $500), which would push you toward the 3900X instead.
Essentially, I mirror your use case exactly. I've been using the Intel HEDT platform for several years, but required additional cores, so I'm running an older ASRock Taichi X299 board. Recently, I installed an i9-10900X 10-core processor, which serves as the base chip for Intel's latest high-end desktop lineup. Previous X299 models can handle up to 128GB of RAM, while newer X299 boards supporting the 10th gen chips accommodate up to 256GB. With an i9-10980XE CPU, you can achieve up to 18 cores or 36 threads. For that higher-end chip, consider adding water cooling; my 10900X runs quietly without overclocking. Staying within the Intel ecosystem means choosing to wait a few more years for AMD to close the gap or opting for the 10th gen X series chips like I do. Overall, I'm content with the performance and notice a noticeable speed improvement since upgrading from a 7th to a 10th generation CPU.
There will be a significant gap. 1. Switching from 6 cores to 18. 2. Processing power per cycle will rise noticeably on the 10th generation model. 3. All core and maximum turbo speeds are much higher in the 10th gen version. 4. DDR4 and PCIe Gen 3 paired with NVMe SSDs will boost CPU performance considerably. 5. Increase CPU cache size to match the enhanced instruction per cycle feature—but consider cooling the i9-10980XE properly if you opt for that model. Otherwise, choose the highest heat dissipation air cooler available, and don’t expect much overclocking potential with air cooling. Also, I should reiterate what others have said. Even today’s 10th generation Intel HEDT chips lag behind as they are. While a yes is valid, you’ll notice a substantial performance jump moving from an older platform to the latest. There’s a possibility Intel will catch up in the next few years with a new HEDT chip on 10 or 7 nm technology that could surpass current offerings. Personally, I’m betting on the i9-10900X to handle multiple VMs simultaneously—maintaining smooth performance and responsiveness for both virtual and host systems. With the extra PCIe lanes from these chips, running three NVMe SSDs at full speed is feasible, allowing fast disk access across all systems in use. Ultimately, it comes down to how well you’re satisfied with your existing setup. I needed two VMs running together, wanting them to feel native and lag-free, with instant responsiveness. The current Intel HEDT hardware delivered exactly that without delays.
You're right, but I'm observing 12 cores. Your link seems accurate.
Your CPU features six actual cores with hyperthreading, giving it a reported total of 12 cores. The 10980XE offers 18 physical cores with the same feature but displays 36 total cores. The newer model significantly outperforms the i7-990X in most tasks, though the older version still works adequately. If you can afford the newer system and prefer Intel over AMD, it’s a solid choice. Current AMD options provide better performance and more adaptable architecture, except for AVX-512 tasks which the i7-990X doesn’t support. Unless you need those specific workloads, consider the AMD alternatives first.
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