Question Budget LGA 2011-3 Xeons?
Question Budget LGA 2011-3 Xeons?
You'll require a replacement motherboard to accommodate the processors you're considering.
They are decent, but the top processor for that socket is the i7 3770 which isn't enough
Old post...just a reminder, my turbo-unlocked XEON works well with the RTX 2080Ti.
HuananZhi X99TF (version 1.0)
XEON E5-2696v3 (turbounlocked via Mi899-see using MiyConst from Github or Youtube)
GPU: Strix RTX 2080Ti (just above the bottleneck limit for my XEON, functions smoothly at 1440P MED-HIGH)
RAM: 48GB DDR4 (4 channels, XMP profile 11-12-12-24, max 2133Mhz) – remember, the 2696v3 supports both DDR3 and DDR4, just like the X99TF. Always configure RAM in 4 channels with these models.
PSU: 650W Gold
The 2696v3 is an 18-core/36-thread OEM version of the 2699v3, offering support for both DDR3 and DDR4, along with a slightly higher turboboost (3.8Ghz vs 3.6Ghz). It shares a similar high TDP of 145W with the 2699v3. For turbounlocked XEONs...this model is exceptional.
It can maintain around 3.78Ghz on light tasks and many games, but drops to 2.8Ghz across all cores during heavy load (reaching TDP limits). With a Chinese motherboard, performance can hit 4Ghz or more with BLK OC, though most local BIOS don’t support it. The CPU multiplier is fixed (E5-2xxxV3).
Currently, these XEONs are affordable on AliEx, and the E5-2xxxV3 models are ideal for this turbounlock microcode tweak.
Still, for a cost-effective setup today...I’d recommend an AM4 platform (B450/B550, 3600Hz or higher). The decision mainly hinges on import taxes, stock availability, and total expenses.
But is this build still worth it? It’s been my daily driver for more than four years—no regrets.
If you plan to run with this older X99 model, consider using Win10 IOT LTSC 2021 for the extended security updates.