Looking for guidance on selecting the 10980XE/9900KS?
Looking for guidance on selecting the 10980XE/9900KS?
You're planning to start a new computer-building project in a short time. Right now you're deciding between different platforms and CPUs. Your current setup runs on a 5930K and an EVGA X99 Micro. You mainly use your PC for YouTube watching and office tasks, spending about 1-3 hours a week gaming, plus an hour editing videos with Adobe Premiere. With your upcoming system, the main purpose would remain similar. You might wonder why you're upgrading. As an enthusiast, you love custom builds over weekends, spending time modifying cases and making precise adjustments. While looks and the build process matter to you, you still need a strong machine for the weekly gaming and editing demands. Your average usage is around 1-3 hours of gaming each week, with a bit more time on video editing.
You value stability and performance, especially since your current build uses a watercooled loop that cost around $1500. You're considering whether to stick with the HEDT platform, which you like for its balanced RAM layout and reliability. On the other hand, the Z390 platform offers solid performance at a lower price, while the X299 could let you upgrade to higher-end models later. You're also thinking about AMD, but not going for Threadripper since it's unnecessary.
For X570, you might notice a drop in performance for editing and games, and you're concerned about potential stability issues with Ryzen processors. Feel free to ask questions or share your thoughts on CPU choices for either platform. If you have recommendations for top-tier boards, I'd be happy to hear them.
Choose a reasonably priced CPU for everyday tasks and light gaming. The AMD R7 3700X works well without stability problems when paired with the latest UEFI firmware. People often assume a motherboard with an older UEFI release date will be stable, but that's not always the case.
Thanks for your feedback. I understand your concerns about the upgrade path and component choices. The 3700X isn’t a massive leap over the 5930K, and the $300 price tag is reasonable for a solid upgrade. A custom cooling loop would add value, but it’s worth weighing the effort against your weekend project goals. The HEDT boards are nice but come at a higher cost, which might not align with your style. Ultimately, I’m focused on getting quality parts for my builds without unnecessary distractions.
The upgrade offers a 60% boost in MT speed and a 20% increase in ST performance, making it a solid choice for around $400. For those willing to invest more, the R9 3950X delivers three times the speed, outperforming the 10980XE in both performance and efficiency. It consumes less power and generates less heat, with overclocking capabilities if you prioritize MT speed. Compared to older models like the Z390 or X570, the newer tech—such as PCIe 4.0—provides noticeable improvements. If you're after high-end gaming, the TR4 chipset delivers superior performance, especially with Zen 2 CPUs enhancing ST speed. While some might consider the R7 3700X or R9 3950X sufficient, adding a custom loop and overclocking can push it to 4.4GHz. Ultimately, these options cater to enthusiasts who want premium performance without unnecessary complexity.
I'm joining the group with AMD, but if it's a waste of money to cool the 3700x using a $1500 custom loop, then the same applies for the 9900ks. It seems you should opt for the most premium option to match your custom loop, since appearance matters a lot. As mentioned earlier, all the CPUs here perform similarly in gaming, so the decision mainly depends on the available motherboard designs—this is definitely a personal choice.
Review from THG about i9 10980XE. It performs better than R9 3950x and TR4 in Adobe when overclocked, though not as much with stock settings. The experience should be similar for desktop i9s because they share the same architecture and node, possibly allowing higher overclocks. If you intend to overclock, choose Intel; otherwise, AMD is more affordable. The extra cost for X299 RAM slots on both sides isn't worth it unless you want Z390 support.
Thank you for your response. It appears both options you select would yield comparable results, which aligns with the motherboard's selection. As you mentioned, it really comes down to personal preference. You seem to view the Z390 as a solid alternative. Initially, I was worried about the 3950X outperforming these Intel models, especially since my gaming and Adobe Premiere projects still lean toward Intel performance. From what I've read, the 3900/3950X would likely be better in most scenarios. Regarding CPU longevity, I recall the 5930K was a strong choice for long-term use, offering durability over time. My ability to afford these high-end parts now stems from saving up over the summer, including extra work. This gives me the opportunity to finally begin this project.
AMD processors would be more appealing when both systems are pre-installed, as they offer significant savings for similar performance levels (just a few percentage points). With Intel CPUs receiving overclocking, they become a slightly more practical choice, especially for demanding tasks like Adobe applications and gaming. While the performance gap isn't huge, the AMD option ages longer because you can upgrade the CPU without replacing the motherboard. Zen 3 continues to boost ST performance by 10-15%, putting it ahead of Intel in that area. It remains a solid upgrade route, though confidence in AMD's commitments would help.