Intel Core i9-7960X Review: Skylake-X At 16 Cores

[dankcik09]

Very excited for my threadripper build. Spent some money on it, but its definitely BEAST MODE

 

[englandr753]

Had tons of issues with my X99 platform, 4 motherboards later I decided to jump to AMD. Picked up the 1920x but haven't assembled yet. I'm taking it back to Microcenter and getting the 1950x for a few more bucks. Going that far I may as well go all the way. = )

 

[Mike Adams]

overkill unless you are rendering CGI

 

[mapesdhs]

Because HEDT processors are supposed to be beast of all trades. Beast in gaming, productivity, overclocking, and just all-out raw performance. The i9s dominate rach and every one of those criteria.

Gaming: the GPU is almost always the bigger bottleneck; get a more sensible CPU, buy a better GPU. It'll be better for gaming.

Productivity: numerous workloads run just as well with far cheaper options. For rendering, one can simply build a cluster of cheaper options that have greater overall throughput.

Overclocking: requires costly cooling, very risky when the chip is so expensive, and default turbo bins cover most of the useful clock range anyway (only really worth doing if delidding IMO). It's not like the days of SB-E when one can easily push a CPU with a base clock of 3.4 to 4.8 on air without much worry.

Raw performance: at this cost level, especially with no EEC, anyone needing such performance would do well to consider dual-socket XEON and indeed TR/EPYC.

Where the XE has performance advantages, other aspects ruin how useful those can be. The thermals are ridiculous, any neceesary cooling solution for oc'ing being a significant extra cost, and a risk.

Something else to consider: it's easy to say oh the XE is the fastest for rendering, but some solo pro person doing that sort of thing would probably like to be able to continue working after they've started a render. The cost difference between TR and the XE (taking into account the more expensive cooling needed for the latter) is almost enough to cover the price of a completely separate Ryzen 7 system. 😀
If I had a budget high enough for a proper XE build, I'd get a TR system for rendering instead, and a separate Ryzen 7 for a workstation setup, I could then keep working while a render is going on, or combine the two for overnight jobs.

Ian.

 

[ElMojoMikeo]

The i9 79xxX Skylake X processors couldn't get off to a worse start if it had been planned. I read and commented on the last thermal disaster, so I was expecting more of the same. After all nothing has changed motherboard or cooling wise. I really can't see how an updated BIOS would improve anything. Neither the BIOS or the operating system have any usable infrastructure that meets the demands for modern cooling, Just getting the CPU temps and fan speeds requires a ring 0 device driver.
More cores and a big cache will probably lead to a faster build up of heat. We have already seen what that means. I accept the no solder under the IHS is a major contributing factor. What I would have liked to see, would have been some attempt by cooling manufactures to come up with new exciting solutions. Unfortunately, most of them have taken their eye of the ball and are busy fixing very important issues with flashing lights.
How about on the next test also use a very expensive and radical cooling solution. I don't mean go down to zero cooling. I don't think there is an easy to install solution out there. I have been looking and waiting for four and a half years!?

 

[mapesdhs]

... Unfortunately, most of them have taken their eye of the ball and are busy fixing very important issues with flashing lights. ...

I bought a 16GB kit recently that has alternate flashing RGB lights. Dumbest thing I've ever seen, Thankfully it's not for me, and the destination case will hide the lights. :}

 

[karma77police]

If you don't overclock this CPU which will run all 18/36 Core at 3.4Ghz and bump certain cores up to 4.2Ghz, CPU runs pretty cool...doesn't go over 61C as Paul Hardware tested it. Check on you tube. So, i think people you are just clueless. This CPU running default clock speed still runs faster than ThreadRipper in everything, especially gaming. This is a great product.

 

[mapesdhs]

ROFL! So what is the K for then on a product like this if you're saying it's only ok if one doesn't oc it? Also, that's not what other sites are seeing anyway, eg. check the GN review, temps at stock are high.

 

[artk2219]

If you don't overclock this CPU which will run all 18/36 Core at 3.4Ghz and bump certain cores up to 4.2Ghz, CPU runs pretty cool...doesn't go over 61C as Paul Hardware tested it. Check on you tube. So, i think people you are just clueless. This CPU running default clock speed still runs faster than ThreadRipper in everything, especially gaming. This is a great product.

It uses more power, runs warmer, and costs 2x more for a 20% difference. You could build an entire TR 1950X machine for the price of just that processor. Dont get me wrong, it is typically the fastest, but there are very few situations where I would call it the wisest build.

 

[Ninjawithagun]

Ultimately, the Intel CPU models 7900X and higher and just too overpriced to even consider. Price vs. IPC ratings are upside down and the value is just not there but for only the rich who are bored and have nothing better to do but waste money. AMD is for the rest of us that actually have a sense of sanity and know a great product and know how not to waste money ;-)

 

[spiketheaardvark]

I'd love to see a RNA sequencing alignment run on one of these. It used to be job that took a week on decent size cluster. With some of the new aligners we can do the work on a desktop, but it's still a big job that scales well with core numbers.