How relevant is ECC ram nowdays?
How relevant is ECC ram nowdays?
You're considering a new build for general use, focusing on stability and future-proofing. The 15-12400f and 2080 series seem solid choices for non-gaming tasks. ECC RAM could add reliability, especially if memory stability matters for your work. The E5 Xeon is a strong option if you need more processing power, though the iGPU might feel limiting. No pressure on budget—just aim for consistent performance across your projects.
For a media server I wouldn't bother with ECC. It really doesn't matter when playing back media. Also, the Xeon E5s are quite outdated now. If you're looking for a solid desktop with ECC support, I'd recommend Ryzen since most of those chips do. For a media PC, skip the 2080 and opt for the non-F version—Intel IGPU offers better video decoding than any modern DGPU.
The iGPU performs better during playback compared to the 2080. For 4K playback, running all displays at 120Hz would be ideal, as your monitors can handle higher refresh rates. I was considering the 2080 for that reason. Does the iGPU allow over 60Hz at 4K? (I haven't done enough research yet)
The igpu offers superior decoding capabilities, handling various formats such as av1, h.265 422 10 bit, and more than what the 2080 supports. It also runs at 60Hz at 4K and can go up to 120Hz (though 4K performance may require a compatible board). For media playback, the GPU power isn't crucial—just good hardware decoding is enough, and current Intel igpus are among the best.
For maximum stability and dependability, ECC is the best choice. igpu works well when you aren’t gaming or using GPU-accelerated apps. Newer versions include built-in hardware video decoding, so they can handle current video formats and run 4K at 60Hz effortlessly.