Yes, you can have several different CPUs in a single system.
Yes, you can have several different CPUs in a single system.
Hey there, I'm trying to set up a PC for top gaming performance and handling demanding engineering tasks. I'm considering an Intel i9 9900K and a Ryzen Threadripper 3990X in one system. The goal is to let the i9 handle all single-core gaming tasks while the TRIP manages streaming, video encoding, or background rendering. Can this setup work? Thanks for your help!
it will create a balanced setup. a third-gen threadripper chip handles 9900k well during gaming, especially at higher resolutions.
They employ various sockets and chipsets, making it unlikely. Dual socket boards are usually found in servers and demand identical CPU types from both sides. Even with dual sockets, you can't precisely assign a specific CPU to handle tasks, so restricting games to one processor isn't feasible. You might set up two systems and switch based on requirements, but it's generally wiser to use one unified system with a CPU that balances both scenarios or is more tailored to your primary needs. It's not accurate to say a 3950X can't play games; it may just run slightly slower than the 9900K, while the 9900K could also handle productivity, though perhaps not as efficiently as the 3950X.
Are you implying using only a single Threadripper? I’m curious about the i9’s potential up to 5GHz and whether the 3950X TR chip is ready for future needs.
Yes, it’s feasible. Multiple systems can share a common storage while using the same peripherals. Keyboard and mouse can stay consistent across devices, and switching between PCs should feel natural, similar to using Alt+Tab. Running programs on each machine separately is possible, but you’ll need to manage sessions or use virtualization tools. It’s not just a dream if you’re planning this setup.
It sounds like you're imagining a seamless setup where multiple systems work together effortlessly. In reality, managing 3970X and 7980XE across a KVM with shared NAS storage can feel complex unless you have strong automation or orchestration tools in place. Switching between them quickly is impressive but not always practical without careful configuration.
The performance gap between 9900k and 3950x cores isn't substantial—around 10% at most. It's unlikely the difference justifies adding another system for that reason.
It seems practical for your situation. You're considering a custom-built case to keep things tidy and save space. Regarding your video setup, yes, you could connect your gaming system's output directly to the workstation for encoding and streaming to platforms like YouTube or Twitch.