Exclusive to Intel
Exclusive to Intel
You're considering buying only the CPU, motherboard, RAM, and CPU cooler. Do you have any PSU, case, or other parts you already own that you intend to repurpose?
They currently lead with the 10980xe chip. Beyond that, you'll be dealing with server components like the 3275x. I'm not going to debate why I'd suggest AMD, but do you have a solid reason to steer clear of them? I won't push any arguments, just want to understand your choice.
I own a 9800X, which was the top-end HEDT available from Intel in February 2019. It cost $600 and was the only one nearby for about 100 miles or more. You’d likely have to pay an extra $200 if buying online, since there was just one in stock at my nearest Micro Center. This represented a big upgrade compared to my 4790k, which was beginning to show its age and far better than an A8 5500 with a dedicated 270X GPU. People tend to stick with brands no matter the price (think Apple). It’s a personal decision that requires convincing because change isn’t always comfortable—who doesn’t like it?
My preference for Intel comes from its reliability and compatibility. I've experimented with AMD a few times, but it didn't work well for me—the platform just isn't mature or stable enough. I intend to keep using my current drives (a mix of HDD and SSD), along with the graphics and sound card, plus a 10Gb NIC. I'll likely need a more powerful PSU and good cooling. I already have a case in mind, but I'm mainly focused on choosing the right CPU. The motherboard I’m leaning toward is one from Asus (the link from earlier).
If it's Intel and no exceptions, with no budget, then you should get either the most powerful consumer or the most powerful HEDT chip. Which means i9-10900k or i9-10980XE. The consumer chip will game better, and the HEDT chip will do everything else better.