Major platform upgrade x299 vs x399 or maybe x99

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
R

rarog

Prominent
Oct 22, 2017
3
0
510
Hello,

I'm looking for help finding best suited CPU/platform for my needs.

As this will be my PC for at least few years, It is quite hard for me to decide which platform should I choose.

PC will be used for the following:
-Virtualization in general
-network emulation projects
-software compilation (Linux)
-some video transcoding
-GPU passthrough gaming

My final struggle was to go with Threadripper 1920x or i7-7820x.
AMD offer is certainly interesting and more future proof choice, 7820x looks more optimal for my case...

So far i7-7820x wins, but I'm not quite comfort with it's limited PCIe lanes and other weaknesses, TIM under IHS etc.
I will be using 16x for gaming GPU + 8x for VM host Desktop GPU and 4x for NVMe drive = 28 lanes, i7-7820x have 28 PCIe lanes.

After "new tech itching" stopped, my next thought: maybe x99 isn't that bad choice, it has quite rich CPU compatibility and it's well tested.

x299 equivalent in number of cores on x99 platform is i7-6900k(or few Xeon models) but it's price is still closer to 10 core i9-7900x, so it's not so good deal.

CPU will be paired with AIO cooler and 32GB of RAM on fitting motherboard.

I would be extremely thankful for any advice :)
 
Solution
1LiquidPC
My 5820k has 28-lanes of PCI-E going to the CPU, where the higher tier models have 40-lanes available. Very much the same as X299, though I think they may have 44-lanes. The biggest difference is chipset lanes and DMI 3.0 of X299 vs DMI 2.0 of X99. X299 has 24 lanes of PCI-E 3.0 using the chipset, where X99 has 8-lanes of PCI-E 2.0. How these lanes are utilized varies on motherboard.

It's a tough call for sure. There are pros and cons of each platform. I believe most the of the added heat and power draw of X299 is due to the "mesh" setup of the cache vs. ring type. This added to the small area of the motherboard itself to fit the VRM section. X99 had the same situation regarding VRM, but better thermals and power draw than...
Sort by date Sort by votes
1LiquidPC

1LiquidPC

Splendid
Oct 11, 2014
5,314
83
31,590
You may run into an issue w/ lanes for your plans with either X99 or X299. I'm saying this from my own experience with various cards. When I first got X99, I was running GTX 970 SLI, which would run at x16/x8 respectively for each. Later, I added an NVMe SSD. To my surprise, this dropped both of my GPUs to x8/x8 and kept the SSD at x4. The manual was very specific on 28-lane CPUs which slots to use. It seems to be a limitation that I had to stick with. I've since went to a single GPU and kept my NVMe drive. X99 CPUs do use soldered IHS whereas X299 doesn't though as you mention this.

Outside of this, I've been very happy overall with my X99 platform, been running since launch in late 2014. You should have no problem running 32GB on any of the platforms, but be aware X99 is picky when it comes to memory training and SA voltage, at least in my experience. This is likely due to Intels first platform with DDR4. I had spent tons of time dialing in my OC and RAM settings, more than any other platform I've owned since 2002. Ryzen has similar issues with memory and X370 platform, though I've heard X399/Threadripper is much better at least if you stick to modules from the QVL. I believe X299 is much better as well in this regard, at least I read an article mentioning that.

With all this though, due to X299 and X399 being a more "modern" platform, they're more likely to support the requirements you list. I personally cannot comment though on each specific you list, just platforms themselves. Be aware that X99 and X299 both run on the warm side when pushed, especially X299. If you're getting an AIO, I'd get a good sized one, to allow for lower temps and noise. I'm sure ThreadRipper is the same.
 
Upvote 1 Downvote
R

rarog

Prominent
Oct 22, 2017
3
0
510
Thank You.
I am aware that connections of CPU PCIe lanes with sockets are specific for each motherboard. And sometimes when I'm using for example one M.2 socket, one of the PCIe sockets may work slower or be disabled at all, on x299 motherboards.
Didn't know this could also happen on x99 platform where CPUs have more PCIe lanes.

As for now there is little chance I would use more than 28 lanes soon. Maybe after few months I will add second NVMe drive, but not for sure
My main concern is which platform presents "best value"(performance/price) options for my specific use.
I haven't found many CPU tests with that in mind.

I really like Threadripper 1920x option, but it's beaten in many use scenarios, by cheaper 7820x. But I also found tests where i7-7820x were on the lower position, than some Broadwell-E CPUs like i7-6850k.

I personaly think that Intel released x299 in a bit of a rush, after Ryzen premiere. Early problems with VRM on some motherboards only ensures me in that opinion.
So I am afraid that x299 is not as well designed platform as it should be.

It's just my thinking, but also the one of the reasons I started to consider older platform and I'm still leaning toward x399.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
1LiquidPC

1LiquidPC

Splendid
Oct 11, 2014
5,314
83
31,590
My 5820k has 28-lanes of PCI-E going to the CPU, where the higher tier models have 40-lanes available. Very much the same as X299, though I think they may have 44-lanes. The biggest difference is chipset lanes and DMI 3.0 of X299 vs DMI 2.0 of X99. X299 has 24 lanes of PCI-E 3.0 using the chipset, where X99 has 8-lanes of PCI-E 2.0. How these lanes are utilized varies on motherboard.

It's a tough call for sure. There are pros and cons of each platform. I believe most the of the added heat and power draw of X299 is due to the "mesh" setup of the cache vs. ring type. This added to the small area of the motherboard itself to fit the VRM section. X99 had the same situation regarding VRM, but better thermals and power draw than X299.

Do you plan overclocking at all? This can affect the decision as well.


 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
The Original Ralph

The Original Ralph

Distinguished
Sep 14, 2011
2,222
1
20,510
i've been running an i7-5960x for a little over two years, absolutely zero issues, 8 cores & 40 lanes. Been able to overclock it stably (with my limited oc'ing skillset) to 4.0. The only caution is the X99 boards differ on the amount of memory they'll support, but in my case so is the cpu (64 GB max). My main usage is video rendering, quite a bit actually, and two of the programs i run keep all eight cores at 92-97% load while rendering.

Main reason i went with the 5960x was the lane count and the 8 cores, plus all issues had over a year to rear up, and iirc, none did. One advantage to the 5960x is the 22mm lithography which means the heat sink has a larger area to absorb the 145 watts of heat thru.

Only real suggestion i can offer, is to possibly rethink the aio water cooling - a good air cooler often runs cooler, and definitely quieter, plus with less complexity. I don't think a week goes by without one or two posters popping up complaining their AIO pump is showing 0 RPM or making noise. God forbid a leak develops and fries a mobo and whatever other components.

One thing i've learned in this thread, is why the older gen CPUs like mine, seem to have held their pricing - i would have thought that the new technology would decrease demand and pricing on the older units, heck - the 5960x and my other cpu, a 4790 (non-k), are both retailing higher today than when i purchased both.
 
Upvote 1 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom