Yes, a used Threadripper can be practical depending on your needs and budget.
Yes, a used Threadripper can be practical depending on your needs and budget.
I'm aiming to enhance my desktop for quicker FEA runs. I'm considering some older threadripper models to swap in for my Ryzen 7 3700X, staying within a budget of around 500 dollars. I noticed several reliable 1950x CPUs on eBay offering good deals and would provide a significant boost in cores. For a workstation built for occasional gaming but focused on performance, do you have any other CPU suggestions?
5800X fits your needs. Other choices include 11700KF, 1850K, 13600K, and 5900X.
If you're using Windows, they haven't resolved the fTPM lag on Threadripper, except for the usual Ryzen models—enjoy upgrading when Windows 11 arrives. For Linux users, it should work fine, though performance depends on RAM speed and PCIe slots rather than raw chip power.
Do you know if your performance is limited by memory bandwidth? If yes, then a threadripper would outperform any Ryzen because it offers double the channel count (something most people overlooked in this discussion). Typically, CFD tasks demand high memory bandwidth, making this relevant. Otherwise, opt for a high-core Ryzen as others have already suggested. At this price, you could simply install a 5950x.
You can achieve maximum data transfer with any amount of bandwidth, but if your processor only has a 4th generation Intel IPC, that's where it matters. Unless you require all threads, the advantage diminishes. In fact, my 58X3D handles 152xx in R23 with 11 cores.
Thanks for the tips! It seems a 5900x or 5950x would work well, making installation smoother. Regarding your A520M motherboard, with a 64GB Trident Z Neo 3600 and an upgraded CPU, it’s unlikely to cause bottlenecks unless you exceed its specifications.
The main concern is the quality of your VRM on the motherboard. Which board are you using? It’s worth noting that A520 models offer limited customization; otherwise, PBO can help fine-tune power usage to work around this constraint. Adding small heatsinks to the VRMs might provide some cooling relief, but for extended all-core tasks, their performance could still be affected.