Let's focus on this - i9, HDET, Core Extreme.
Let's focus on this - i9, HDET, Core Extreme.
I prefer Intel and have several reasons—talking about other options isn’t relevant here. I built a solid desktop around 10 years ago using an Intel i7 core (3.47Ghz). It still performs well without any problems. I do a lot of demanding tasks daily. I run my own business in the tech field, work as a senior software developer for enterprises, play games occasionally, but mostly focus on business needs. I don’t overclock, so I’m not interested in that. I need strong performance. Yes, AMD has Epyc and Ryzen, but I’m sticking with Intel. Let’s set aside the current chip shortage for now. I’m happy with my current CPU; it’s still fast even with RAID0 SSDs. But it’s time to consider a better upgrade.
Questions:
- From what I understand—possibly—Intel stopped making the Extreme line? It’s unclear. The last model I recall was around 10980x-e, but I’ve also heard it can run very hot and uses a lot of power when idle.
- What’s the current equivalent for the XE series? I don’t want an i5; I need strong performance without excessive heat or power consumption. My system runs continuously, so balance is important.
- Cores and threads matter. Generally, more threads and cores are better. In this market, what’s available now? I know Alder Lake is coming soon, but it seems aimed at the i5 lineup. The concern is that even with boost frequencies up to 4.5Ghz, they might not match my XE’s speed. My worry is that a 2.5Ghz CPU could be slower than my current one if I get something around 2.5Ghz.
- Should I look for alternatives in the Intel HDET lineup? I’ve avoided upgrades for a while now and need to decide whether to wait or move forward.
Current top-tier X299 components are being outperformed by Ryzen offerings, and even Alder Lake consumer models from the leaked benchmarks fall short. Intel products right now seem like a poor investment. I understand you’re interested in Intel options, but there are valid points against AMD. Essentially, they’re doing the same thing, with only minor performance variations. Regarding your setup, it sounds like you likely have an i7 990, making an i5 11400 or Ryzen 5600G a much stronger choice. You definitely shouldn’t judge performance by clock speeds alone—especially when comparing similar series. For accurate guidance, we should look at real-world benchmarks instead of just specs. So let’s clarify what you’re doing with your PC and how it’s intended to be used.
They haven't fully updated it yet for the latest generation. Intel typically begins new product lines from high-end models. They're expected to release the i9 12900k, i7 12700k and i5 12600k soon. So, CPU performance depends more than just clock speed—it also involves IPC and architecture. Newer CPUs often outperform older ones even at the same clock rate. There might be BIOS settings on your motherboard that let the CPU run longer. Also, a current-gen i5 is likely to surpass an i7 in almost every measurement. The i9 10850K still holds up well with its 10 cores and 20 threads. I wouldn't recommend the 11900K since it feels like a step backward in productivity; AMD remains a solid choice despite this. But whatever suits you works best. Yes, getting something similar is unlikely until Alder Lake arrives. Workstation Xeon chips are available with a W prefix. Remember, the Xtreme edition still exists. AMD's Threadripper and top Ryzen models generally outperform Intel's latest high-end options in most areas.
This situation is already expected. The i7 8700 or Ryzen 5 1600 easily surpassed the i7 990 upon its release. To achieve comparable performance, manufacturers needed to push clock speeds up to 4.7–4.9 GHz, which is difficult for the i7 990. Intel hasn’t been doing well in this area over the past four years, and choosing them would likely mean investing in outdated technology.
Thanks all! I truly appreciate the insight and now educated more, thanks to you. This is what it is about... for an old timer like me and not being up to date in this particular area like I once used to... I am glad you are here to explain and teach! So the consensus is to wait for Alder lake. I wish there was some talk about XE from Intel in terms of their plans and some expectation...
The choice really hinges on your specific needs. Alder Lake seems to be the top pick for now, unless you're looking at Xeon which might still edge it out. We should have product info and stock details for Alder Lake within a week. The i9 model is anticipated to feature 8 P cores and 8 E cores using Intel's newest microarchitecture and process, aiming to match TSMC's 7nm efficiency. Intel hasn't mentioned HEDT recently. The X299 remains solid for AVX-512 tasks or when you need high RAM bandwidth that mainstream chips can't match, though it's less appealing otherwise. Since it isn't the most popular choice at the moment, it's relatively affordable on the used side.
I mentioned my scenario in my initial post, but just emphasizing that performance, threads, and cores play a big role for my tasks. Running several VMs simultaneously, building complex code—especially multithreaded projects—performing tests and debugging... it's really demanding work. Occasional oddities like flight simulation, video editing, and audio work.
However, there are some issues there and honestly I've had problems with AMD before. Still, I'm planning to invest in Intel.