Old Vs New - X99 or TR4

[TheGlenlivet]

So if you were going to build a 4 GPU X16 slot system, would you go with an x99 or Threadripper?  I will need x16 slots, but only x8 lanes.

Right now I see the x399 boards all have the hardware I need, and there are lots of x99 boards that meet the spec as well.  The cost is where things get interesting -

1900X $550.  X399 board $400.  Total - About $1000 delivered

6850K (Remember lanes and slots are important here, not cores) $350.  x99 4 slot board about $300.  Total - 800 delivered.

 

So is the $200 savings worth it?  On paper the systems are equivalent.  Both have m.2, 4 channel memory and a bunch of other stuff that is nice, but not a deal breaker.  The system would primarily be used for Folding @ Home and other distributed projects so 128 GB of Ram and RGB headers don't matter.

Threadripper seems nice, but it has more PCIE lanes than it's hardware can use which seem like a waste to me.  If I ever wanted to upgrade I guess X399 is the way to go since x99 is a dead end now right?  That's why the formerly $600 6850K is now $350.

Thoughts and advice are appreciated.

Cheers!

 

[themctipers]

assuming its for gaming..

x99. slightly better IPC, can buy used haswell-e for saving more money 

 

edit: saw folding, x99 still better because CPU doesn't give you much points and again you can buy a cheap haswell-e CPU for savings

[Princess Luna]

There's nothing wrong with getting x99, it is a great platform despite its ridiculous pricing, I would still favour an i7 5820k if the 28 PCI-e Lanes are enough for you since that processor is likely to cost a little less while it outperforms the i7 6800k and has higher overclocking headroom.

 

The i7 6850k is identical to the i7 6800k in performance... it is quite overpriced for a 6c/12t only especially with the i7 8700k so close to releasing... it's only true advantage are the extra PCI-e lanes but you said yourself you don't need that many of them... TR platform is a safer bet but x99 well priced is not out of question.

[TheGlenlivet]

10 minutes ago, themctipers said:

assuming its for gaming..

x99. slightly better IPC, can buy used haswell-e for saving more money 

 

edit: saw folding, x99 still better because CPU doesn't give you much points and again you can buy a cheap haswell-e CPU for savings

Is there a better chip than a 6850K right now?  I looked at xeons and Haswells but it still seems to be a fair deal considering it's new.

[Komplett]

Threadripper, no point in going Intel anymore.

[TheGlenlivet]

1 minute ago, Princess Cadence said:

There's nothing wrong with getting x99, it is a great platform despite its ridiculous pricing, I would still favour an i7 5820k if the 28 PCI-e Lanes are enough for you since that processor is likely to cost a little less while it outperforms the i7 6800k and has higher overclocking headroom.

 

The i7 6850k is identical to the i7 6800k in performance... it is quite overpriced for a 6c/12t only especially with the i7 8700k so close to releasing... it's only true advantage are the extra PCI-e lanes but you said yourself you don't need that many of them... TR platform is a safer bet but x99 well priced is not out of question.

Won't a 6800 only have 28 lanes?  I'll need at least x8 pcie for 4 cards.

[themctipers]

1 minute ago, TheGlenlivet said:

Is there a better chip than a 6850K right now?  I looked at xeons and Haswells but it still seems to be a fair deal considering it's new.

Xeons will be cheap later on in 2-3 years because servers are being decommissioned. New or used doesn't really matter for a CPU, and for folding CPU perf doesn't really matter anyways (CPU gives you barely any compared to GPU)

[Princess Luna]

3 minutes ago, TheGlenlivet said:

Won't a 6800 only have 28 lanes?  I'll need at least x8 pcie for 4 cards.

So you'll need 30+ lanes? frankly if you got the money go TR... it is going to be relevant for much longer, has awesome performance and all... x99 was far too overpriced then and it still is now, the i7 6850k performance wise isn't good, it's gigantic price-tag for extra pci-e lanes is a joke...

 

If you could find an i7 6900k then sure... you'll have the full package and outperform the R7 1800x but the i7 6850k is a stupid processor that only exists because Intel is greedy as fuck.

[Guest]

As said above, consider the age of the platform. X99 is mature and stable, but also a dead end.

If this is a set it and forget it build, I see no issue with your picks, but if you're going to do any upgrading at all, TR is my suggestion.

I have it and there were initial hiccups and tweaking and BIOS updates, and growing pains but I am willing to deal with that.

[TheGlenlivet]

3 minutes ago, Princess Cadence said:

So you'll need 30+ lanes? frankly if you got the money go TR... it is going to be relevant for much longer, has awesome performance and all... x99 was far too overpriced then and it still is now, the i7 6850k performance wise isn't good, it's gigantic price-tag for extra pci-e lanes is a joke...

 

If you could find an i7 6900k then sure... you'll have the full package and outperform the R7 1800x but the i7 6850k is a stupid processor that only exists because Intel is greedy as fuck.

Agree with the greedy part, but I don't need cpu power I need PCIE lanes and the 6850K at $350 has 40 lanes.  It's not a bad deal for my specific application.

[Princess Luna]

Just now, TheGlenlivet said:

Agree with the greedy part, but I don't need cpu power I need PCIE lanes and the 6850K at $350 has 40 lanes.  It's not a bad deal for my specific application.

The thing isn't even much about the CPU power, do keep in mind you'll use 1 core per GPU while Folding on excessive stressing, used parts are less reliable, the odds of something breaking on this used x99 rig will be considerable higher than if you go with a brand new TR build... that was just my 2 cents I'm sure soon enough someone will come and say I'm wrong

[TheGlenlivet]

Just now, Princess Cadence said:

The thing isn't even much about the CPU power, do keep in mind you'll use 1 core per GPU while Folding on excessive stressing, used parts are less reliable, the odds of something breaking on this used x99 rig will be considerable higher than if you go with a brand new TR build... that was just my 2 cents I'm sure soon enough someone will come and say I'm wrong

Both systems are priced with new parts from newegg, but I see your point.  I have 2 cards going with z170 right now and a g4400.  I am basically looking to recreate that rig with 4 cards.

[Princess Luna]

1 minute ago, TheGlenlivet said:

.

Why not 2 separated systems with 2 GPU in each? z170 boards are on the edge of yet another price cut, throw a G4560 on it and profit?

[TheGlenlivet]

Just now, Princess Cadence said:

Why not 2 separated systems with 2 GPU in each? z170 boards are on the edge of yet another price cut, throw a G4560 on it and profit?

One reason - $$$

I have solar panels and have costs controlled now, but if I had another PSU running 24/7, I don't think the panels would do it.