These models are compatible with the X99 server/vm host.
These models are compatible with the X99 server/vm host.
I discovered a solid offer for a 2680v4 and a board (X99-AD4), but the seller now lists a 2696v3 instead. I'm torn between the two, weighing 18 cores against power efficiency. The first model supports DDR4 2400, while the second requires 2133.
among those options, I'd pick 2680v4 since core count isn't the only factor on the server side. Around that generation there should be a noticeable improvement in performance per core, which might not justify those extra cores. Still, you can get entire servers from this generation for a few hundred dollars, so you need a good deal to justify the investment. On the other hand, if you're working on a homelab and don't need a lot of PCIe bandwidth, you can achieve impressive results with older desktop parts.
The choice really hinges on your goals. For a current HEDT setup, using X570 with 5950x works well compared to older components. If extra bandwidth isn't critical, consider TR4. ECC support is available on X570 and 5950x while maintaining strong performance. A 16-core/32-core Zen3 core allocation is sufficient for most virtual machines you mentioned. Memory configuration matters less unless your workload demands it; otherwise, a newer platform would be more efficient.
It speeds up individual cores more effectively. Fewer active cores use less energy, resulting in cooler temperatures. The rest of the cores won’t slow down as much.