High-core count, compact PC

[dLife_dt]

Hi! I'm out of my depths with a question that may be interesting to some: 

 

I'm looking for a $1000-1500 high core-count machine for simulations / AI training. (Win10) My secondary priorities are (1) a small form factor [likely rules out server cpus] and (2) light gaming [SC2 and the like - currently getting by with Nvidia 860M]. FYI I'm less comfortable with troubleshooting hardware compatibility and (maybe) water cooling.

 

One option is to forego the nice-to-haves and get a refurb ~32-64 core server for <$800 (any suggestions?)

 

Alternatively I'm considering something like Ryzen 3950X in a compact case - for instance this LTT build (but cheapest GPU), but not sure if it'll handle 16 cores at 100% for days.

 

Would love any insights/suggestions; Thanks!!

(USA/Canada)

 

[Daniel Z.]

Do you live in Canada or the US?

[dLife_dt]

Back and forth between NY and ON, so both really

[GoldenLag]

9 minutes ago, dLife_dt said:

Back and forth between NY and ON, so both really

stock situation atm is just terrible. id just wait for a bit untill that situation returns to normal.

 

as for high corecount CPUs, you are probably gonna end up looking at something like a 3950x instead of older xeons for small formfactors. 

[dLife_dt]

On 6/11/2020 at 2:23 AM, GoldenLag said:

stock situation atm is just terrible. id just wait for a bit untill that situation returns to normal.

 

as for high corecount CPUs, you are probably gonna end up looking at something like a 3950x instead of older xeons for small formfactors. 

Any idea how much 3950x prices might go down in a year?

 

Also, would I be able to cool a 3950x at turbo in Linus’s setup (linked above) for several days?

thanks !!

[GoldenLag]

1 hour ago, dLife_dt said:

Any idea how much 3950x prices might go down in a year?

May drop a bit, hard to know at this point in time.

 

1 hour ago, dLife_dt said:

Also, would I be able to cool a 3950x at turbo in Linus’s setup (linked above) for several days?

thanks !!

It should be coolable with some low profile coolers. Say, something like a Cryorig C7