Discussing Intel X299/2066 performance and compatibility
Discussing Intel X299/2066 performance and compatibility
Hey everyone, welcome! I have a quick question. I currently use an Intel Core i9 10900X on a Gigabyte X299 UD4 board. I bought the i9 last year to swap out my older i5 7640X. Earlier this year, I got the RX5700 to replace my RX580 and upgraded from 16GB to 32GB DDR4 RAM, swapped my 1TB Crucial SSD for a 2TB Intel 660P M.2 M.2, and now everything runs on a new NZXT H5110 Elite.
I'm wondering if it would have been better to switch to a different chipset instead of just upgrading the components. I don’t plan to use the extra 256GB RAM anytime soon, and my AIO pump seems to be nearing replacement. My main needs are gaming, some music production, and art work. I’m also thinking about selling the CPU or motherboard if it’s worth it. The recent Intel announcements have really made me reconsider my choices. Any advice would be appreciated!
Welcome to the discussions! Are there any other setups taking advantage of the extra PCIe channels on the processor? Upgrading to the X299 platform seemed risky unless you're into overclocking or modifying hardware. I installed a 10980XE on an NH-D15 (18C/38T) and it maintains stable temperatures while delivering solid performance. You might have found better value with an i9-10850K or Z490 last year when you changed. Intel is currently facing challenges, especially with their latest offerings. The i5-11600K is the only strong option for gaming today (from Intel), though the 10th generation offers more cores and better pricing overall. I’d estimate around $700–800 for a CPU and motherboard, though finding buyers will be tough. You could stick with this build and improve it by upgrading the case and adding an AIO like a 360mm model—or even custom water cooling if you’re comfortable with it. What about the i9-10900X? Are there any advantages or drawbacks you’ve noticed? How are your other components looking?
Thanks for the response! You're correct, looking back upgrading wasn't the best move. At the time, my CPU was the limiting factor, and I didn't want to replace the motherboard since it was only two years old and still functioning well. It was the most costly part at the moment, but now I notice my system is overheating more than necessary for games, missing out on 4th generation PCIe support. I'm not worried about DDR5 yet—my friend has his own challenges with the I7 and is sticking around until DDR5 arrives. He's invested in a valve index and extra RAM instead. The dilemma is, if I sell, I need a replacement ready, but if there aren't many buyers, it doesn't matter much. As for my current setup, it's still fairly new. I might get the Arctic Liquid freezer 240 later. For gaming, my CPU handles modern titles, modded Minecraft, and RTS games like C&C, Homeworld, AOE, and RON—so it should be fine. Just that my system is running hotter than it needs, using more power than I think is required. In case my full spec is: Core i9 10900X, Gigabyte X299 UD4, 32GB Crucial, DDR4 quad channel, ASUS Raedon 5700, 8GB RAM, 2TB SSD, Intel 660P M.2, Seasonic Focus radiator, and an Akasa venom A20 water cooler with Piranha fans for the case and radiator.
Here are your stats from playing Acecombat 7 at full settings:
The initial image displayed the temperature readings during gameplay, whereas this one captures the readings right at the beginning of the mission.
You might achieve higher performance with newer or different hardware, but it’s usually unnecessary in most situations. How would a jump from 120 to 150 fps impact your gaming? PCI-E gen 4 mainly helps with storage right now. It’s nice to review the latest specs, but the real question is if they suit your needs. I use a 10980xe. My gaming is light and I rarely play high-end titles. Upgrading to an AMD 5950x would improve things, though not by much (motherboard and CPU estimates in AUD). Prioritize effective cooling and stick with what works until it no longer fits your requirements. X299 systems tend to overheat. My setup has a 280mm AIO (Corsair 115i Platinum) and it stays warm under heavy use. Thinking about upgrading to a larger 360mm AIO later? For better gaming, investing in a GPU is the best choice. An RTX 3080 offers a noticeable upgrade rather than just a CPU change.
Thanks again for the response. It's definitely getting quite warm. I'll concentrate on cooling things down and maintaining the system. A 3080 would be nice, but my existing card seems to be working well.