3900x or 9900k?

[Steve.604]

I've googled for days trying to answer my questions and I need some help.

 

Current build:

6700k 4.6 GHZ OC AIO cooled

GTX 980

32GB ram

3440x1440 60hz main monitor

 

I think I'm running into a CPU bottleneck

 

I have 2 use cases, My main use case, I let my ADD run wild haha,  I run a couple of android emulators, 3 screens and multi task like crazy, no rending or anything like that, but lots of tabs, multimedia, random programs, remote in to plex server, camera server etc. I get to the point where my mouse with start freaking out cause the CPU is pinned

Second, I game, only some what regularly on PC, but don't like to sacrifice too much on graphics quality when I do

 

As I type this with all the things I have running I'm hitting 90% CPU usage, 58% ram usage, 17% GPU usage and 51% GPU memory, this is about normal for my everyday use

Playing the new CoD:MW is the first game I've played recently that has left me feeling low on power, my CPU runs pretty much at 100%, especially in ground war

 

New build:

My plan is to update just my mobo and CPU right now cause I need the cores, pick up some new memory when I see a good deal, and go with the RTX 3080 or what ever Nvidia calls it when it comes out, probably get a 3440x1440 hdr 144hz panel then too. With potentially full custom water cooling at that time if there is money left over

My budget is far from unlimited but if there is value I have no problem spending the extra cash.

 

So my question:

9900k or 3900x? Is the extra $200 or so Canadian peso's the 3900x going to cost me for the mobo and cpu worth it for my use case, factoring in gen 4 pcie when the rtx 3080 releases?

I have zero experience with these high core count processors, How many cores is enough cores? Is gen 4 pcie a big deal or no? I would like 5 years out of the CPU

 

Sorry if I'm asking questions that have been answered, but last build I spent a lot of cash and regretted a couple choices cause I didn't do my research

 

 

 

[LogicWeasel]

17 minutes ago, Steve.604 said:

So my question:

9900k or 3900x? Is the extra $200 or so Canadian peso's the 3900x going to cost me for the mobo and cpu worth it for my use case

If the $200 makes you think twice, than you're comparing the wrong CPUs.  The 3700x has the same number of cores/threads as the 9900k and costs less, so you should consider that.

 

For gaming right now 8 cores is pretty much maxed on modern titles like new COD:MW, so unless you think your emulators, multimedia, and browser tabs need more than 8, perhaps that's a good place to be.  If you want your motherboard to not be a dead end then don't get Intel right now, simple as that.  They dead-end their desktop motherboards faster than Linus can say "LTT Store.com".  (There is already word going around that the desktop 10th Gen i7 CPUs will need a new motherboard and it's the end of the road for the Z390 series boards.)

 

Edit: Found the article where they claim the new socket for Comet Lake Intel (10th Gen Desktop CPUs) will be LGA 1200 - https://wccftech.com/intel-10th-gen-core-i5-desktop-comet-lake-cpu-spotted/   

Quote

The socket will be different and mentioned to be LGA 1200. These are 49 more pins than the existing LGA 1151 socket so we can say goodbye to compatibility on current boards. Some key features of the 10th Generation line are listed below:

• Excellent Multi-Thread Performance
• Up To 10 processor cores and 20 threads

 

Edited November 9, 2019 by LogicWeasel
added article

[LogicWeasel]

So in price terms, upgrade could look a little something like this:

 

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 3700X 3.6 GHz 8-Core Processor  ($424.99 @ Newegg Canada) 
Motherboard: Asus TUF GAMING X570-PLUS ATX AM4 Motherboard  ($215.99 @ PC-Canada) 
Total: $640.98
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-11-09 18:24 EST-0500

Side thought, what speed is your 32GB of RAM rated for?  I hope it's above 2400 because Ryzen will want it.

[Metallus97]

3 minutes ago, LogicWeasel said:

So in price terms, upgrade could look a little something like this:

 

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 3700X 3.6 GHz 8-Core Processor  ($424.99 @ Newegg Canada) 
Motherboard: Asus TUF GAMING X570-PLUS ATX AM4 Motherboard  ($215.99 @ PC-Canada) 
Total: $640.98
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-11-09 18:24 EST-0500

Side thought, what speed is your 32GB of RAM rated for?  I hope it's above 2400 because Ryzen will want it.

the TUF has a craptastic VRM. Will run, but when OCing it will get toasty fast and could lead to instabilities. CPU is excellent choice!

Better:

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 3700X 3.6 GHz 8-Core Processor  ($424.99 @ Newegg Canada) 
Motherboard: Gigabyte X570 GAMING X ATX AM4 Motherboard  ($218.50 @ Vuugo) 
Total: $643.49
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-11-09 18:28 EST-0500

 

[LogicWeasel]

3 minutes ago, Metallus97 said:

the TUF has a craptastic VRM

If true, I was led astray by the motherboard tier list on this forum.  Why is is rated in Tier-A in this topic then?  Not to mention it puts the X570 Gaming X in Tier C...

 

 

[Metallus97]

2 minutes ago, LogicWeasel said:

If true, I was led astray by the motherboard tier list on this forum.  Why is is rated in Tier-A in this topic then?

-snip-

KK, i was led by buildzoids opinion. But to be honest I dont know much about VRM designs. 

 it seems to be the same VRM as on the cheapos

[LogicWeasel]

4 minutes ago, Metallus97 said:

KK, i was led by buildzoids opinion 

-video snip-  it seems to be the same VRM as on the cheapos

And yet this rather comprehensive spreadsheet posted from TomsHardware (I think I got it linked from Reddit) suggests the Gaming X is lowest-tier (Entry IV): https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1wmsTYK9Z3-jUX5LGRoFnsZYZiW1pfiDZnKCjaXyzd1o/edit#gid=2112472504&fvid=110592530

I feel like it's hard to know what to trust anymore with these dang VRMs.  I just want to default to the tier list on this forum to avoid the black hole of who the heck to trust.

[Metallus97]

4 minutes ago, LogicWeasel said:

And yet this rather comprehensive spreadsheet posted from TomsHardware (I think I got it linked from Reddit) suggests the Gaming X is lowest-tier (Entry IV): https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1wmsTYK9Z3-jUX5LGRoFnsZYZiW1pfiDZnKCjaXyzd1o/edit#gid=2112472504&fvid=110592530

I feel like it's hard to know what to trust anymore with these dang VRMs.  I just want to default to the tier list on this forum to avoid the black hole of who the heck to trust.

Well, I absolutely love the lists here! I bought all my PSUs based on this and am pleased!

For the mobo recommendation I didn't look for the list here but remembered buildzoids opinion

[amdorintel]

36 minutes ago, Metallus97 said:

buildzoids opinion

i'd trust whatever he says

[Steve.604]

I think mobo is what making this hard for me, if it was like for like, dollar for dollar, 3900x no question,

as it stands I don't know if I will see the benefit from the extra 4 cores on my day to day, that's whats killing me most right now, and its the emulators causing the load

wish I could load up a 9900k as see how it ran with my setup

 

I failed with my current build on the mobo because I didn't understand the value

 

maybe wait to see next gen intel is the answer, but you can't always wait for the latest and greatest, if it dropped this year, sure, june 2020, thats a long time

 

my main thing is I don't want to be the guy with a 4k tv, no hdr or hdmi 2.0

 

Thanks for everyones thoughts, happy to hear more,

 

I'm going to do a bit more mobo research, but thinking 3900x cause go big or go home 

 

Ram is 2133, if I need to I'll upgrade right away no big deal,

then I can also sell my current setup as a runner too

 

 

[Metallus97]

1 minute ago, Steve.604 said:

I think mobo is what making this hard for me, if it was like for like, dollar for dollar, 3900x no question,

as it stands I don't know if I will see the benefit from the extra 4 cores on my day to day, that's whats killing me most right now, and its the emulators causing the load

wish I could load up a 9900k as see how it ran with my setup

 

I failed with my current build on the mobo because I didn't understand the value

 

maybe wait to see next gen intel is the answer, but you can't always wait for the latest and greatest, if it dropped this year, sure, june 2020, thats a long time

 

my main thing is I don't want to be the guy with a 4k tv, no hdr or hdmi 2.0

 

Thanks for everyones thoughts, happy to hear more,

 

I'm going to do a bit more mobo research, but thinking 3900x cause go big or go home 

 

 

As mentioned before. Dont be scared about 4 extra cores  

You will benefit form them. Single core perf difference is small, multi core difference is HUGE

so in my mind: No reason at all to get the i9

[LogicWeasel]

2 hours ago, Metallus97 said:

the TUF has a craptastic VRM. Will run, but when OCing it will get toasty fast and could lead to instabilities.

Yeah so watched the beginning of the video, he doesn't call the VRM craptastic at all.  If anything he notes it's the same VRM used up to and including some of the STRIX line.  I think you must have seen a different video because Buildzoid is a fan of both the Prime-P and TUF in design, and mentions them being ideal for a 3700x and ok'ish above that  (still watching it in 2x speed, wow he can go on, haha).

edit:  Going to get some confirmation, may as well call in the tier-list cavalry.  @Jurrunio  @LukeSavenije

Edited November 10, 2019 by LogicWeasel
called in cavalry

[Jurrunio]

3900X is better for heavy multitaskers like you, especially since it has even higher core count upgrade under the name 3950X without needing a new board. That said it's better to buy 3900X after 3950X hits the market to take advantage of the price drops of the previous flagship of the socket.

 

3 hours ago, Metallus97 said:

buildzoids opinion

I'm not surprised if he blasts the X470 TUF and the B450 TUF Plus, but the B450 TUF Pro isnt bad by cheap board standards and X570 TUF is pretty powerful with 12 50A powerstages just like the Aorus Elite and even the Asrock Taichi. It's only flaw is the 4 phase doubler-less control scheme and lack of compensating capacitors, leading to worse voltage regulation.

[LogicWeasel]

25 minutes ago, Jurrunio said:

X570 TUF is pretty powerful with 12 50A powerstages just like the Aorus Elite and even the Asrock Taichi.

How would you compare the VRM features of the X570 TUF to the Gigabyte X570 Gaming X? 

 

If the buyer is targeting a sub-$200 board is the TUF a better-buy at around $165?

[Jurrunio]

1 hour ago, LogicWeasel said:

How would you compare the VRM features of the X570 TUF to the Gigabyte X570 Gaming X? 

 

If the buyer is targeting a sub-$200 board is the TUF a better-buy at around $165?

I dont think the TUF can be found at only $165, but it is superior to what the Gaming X has in every way. Gaming X already goes near the 100C mark with 3900X at 1.3V

[JoostinOnline]

I honestly wouldn't recommend either. Get a 6 core CPU. All these 8 core models run pretty crappy for their price.

[LogicWeasel]

29 minutes ago, Jurrunio said:

I dont think the TUF can be found at only $165

Then allow me ...  BEHOLD, awesome value!

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/whMTwP/asus-tuf-gaming-x570-plus-atx-am4-motherboard-tuf-gaming-x570-plus
https://www.newegg.com/p/N82E16813119198?Item=N82E16813119198

[Jurrunio]

9 minutes ago, LogicWeasel said:

Then allow me ...  BEHOLD, awesome value!

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/whMTwP/asus-tuf-gaming-x570-plus-atx-am4-motherboard-tuf-gaming-x570-plus
https://www.newegg.com/p/N82E16813119198?Item=N82E16813119198

not immediately available but I'll take it

[LogicWeasel]

Just now, Jurrunio said:

not immediately available but I'll take it

Did you click the newegg link?  Yea it is, that one is fully in-stock, ready for cart.

 

I recognize that both Amazon and B&H are on backorder, but at least all 3 are rather consistent on price.

[Jurrunio]

Just now, LogicWeasel said:

Did you click the newegg link?  Yea it is, that one is fully in-stock, ready for cart.

 

I recognize that both Amazon and B&H are on backorder, but at least all 3 are rather consistent on price.

potential for extra shipping money

[LogicWeasel]

1 minute ago, Jurrunio said:

potential for extra shipping money

Oddly picky about $3.99 shipping but ok.  The point is that the mobo is way cheaper than it has any right to be.  Of course most people prefer amazon prime, but I'm surprised the board is that cheap, as that has it competing with almost all the cheap X570's at entry-price tier.

[Jurrunio]

2 minutes ago, LogicWeasel said:

Oddly picky about $3.99 shipping but ok.  The point is that the mobo is way cheaper than it has any right to be.  Of course most people prefer amazon prime, but I'm surprised the board is that cheap, as that has it competing with almost all the cheap X570's at entry-price tier.

Everything will come down eventually

 

but what surprises me is how screwed prices are for Asrock's mid range boards. The Steel Legend AX is somehow cheaper than its wireless-free option, and a lot cheaper than its dark blue + grey Extreme4 brother even though they share most of their hardware.

[Steve.604]

It seems AMD is the way to go, regardless, 3900x as the core king and 3700x as the cheaper 9900k equivalent

I wouldn't say I'm an intel lover but always been intel and hard to make the change haha,

 

I'm looking at the Strix x570-e, MSI ACE would be my preferred choice but that yellow on the board, can't do it.

I love the look of the Gigabyte Designare but no x570.

 

Any thoughts on the mobo in the price point of those 3 boards should I spend more or is that overkill already? Looking to OC and potentially custom water cool, big AIO at the very least

 

edit: just clicked the mobo tier list, guess I'll have a ready 

[kurtstir]

18 hours ago, LogicWeasel said:

If true, I was led astray by the motherboard tier list on this forum.  Why is is rated in Tier-A in this topic then?  Not to mention it puts the X570 Gaming X in Tier C...

 

 

Thought youd like to see this AM4 Vcore VRM Ratings https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1d9_E3h8bLp-TXr-0zTJFqqVxdCR9daIVNyMatydkpFA/edit?usp=sharing

[kurtstir]

23 minutes ago, Steve.604 said:

It seems AMD is the way to go, regardless, 3900x as the core king and 3700x as the cheaper 9900k equivalent

I wouldn't say I'm an intel lover but always been intel and hard to make the change haha,

 

I'm looking at the Strix x570-e, MSI ACE would be my preferred choice but that yellow on the board, can't do it.

I love the look of the Gigabyte Designare but no x570.

 

Any thoughts on the mobo in the price point of those 3 boards should I spend more or is that overkill already? Looking to OC and potentially custom water cool, big AIO at the very least

 

edit: just clicked the mobo tier list, guess I'll have a ready 

What do you think of the Taichi https://pcpartpicker.com/product/pbvqqs/asrock-x570-taichi-atx-am4-motherboard-x570-taichi