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Affordable HEDT, is there such a thing?

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TechStuff

New Member
Joined
Dec 11, 2021
I require at least 48 PCIe lanes, what are my options? Presently, I’m utilizing X299 platform with a 10980xe. Looking for an affordable option with AVX512 functionality. Help me choose.
 
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Depends how you define affordable. AMD killed the low end by releasing higher core counts with consumer tier connectivity. On Intel side their current offering is based on the W790 chipset and AMD side is TRX50/WRX90.

Edit: I think the Intel offerings have the full fat unit AVX-512 implementation, and AMD's is based on Zen 4 with their more consumer grade approach, but depending on pricing it could be offset by getting more cores.
 
I’m thinking Threadripper Zen2 although affordable, is really only a lateral move, for a bit more money, giving significantly more cores. Zen3 TR is quite a bit more money for more cores, with a more modern platform architecture. Zen4 TR platform is just out of this world expensive for a professional enthusiast. Frustrating.
 
Neither Zen 2 nor Zen 3 have AVX-512 though, which you did specifically mention. I'm kinda in a similar situation. I have a X299 system with 7980XE and there isn't a platform upgrade from that in consumer level pricing. In my case, I'll give in and probably get a 9950X at some point. I do use many of the slots in my current system but I have alternatives for much of that e.g. via USB.
 
Neither Zen 2 nor Zen 3 have AVX-512 though, which you did specifically mention. I'm kinda in a similar situation. I have a X299 system with 7980XE and there isn't a platform upgrade from that in consumer level pricing. In my case, I'll give in and probably get a 9950X at some point. I do use many of the slots in my current system but I have alternatives for much of that e.g. via USB.
Yes AVX512 is only available in the TR7000 series, that’s the problem….way too expensive to justify for my needs. May try used Intel Xeon W3300 or new LCC Xeon W5 24xx series. Been researching this since September and still trying to find a compromise price point. Frustrating.
Have purchased an RTX4080, and 2 Gen4 m.2 SSD’s, and a Corsair RM850x: just can’t make my mind on a platform.
 
Is there any alternative for you for the PCIe lane usage? Looking at your sig, all I see are a load of SSDs and a GPU. Could be replaced by fewer bigger SSDs now even on consumer platform.
 
Is there any alternative for you for the PCIe lane usage? Looking at your sig, all I see are a load of SSDs and a GPU. Could be replaced by fewer bigger SSDs now even on consumer platform.
I’ll be running multiple GPUs. And the NVMe m.2 drives will be in RAID on an m.2 adaptor card using 16 (4x4) lanes. So that’s 48 lanes with just the basics. That’s why I’m impressed with Zen3 and Zen4 for platform with its proliferation of PCIe lanes.
 
If you really need it, you need it. I was stuck for the longest time in the same boat and only got around it by separating my systems by use case, not one system to do everything. Sapphire Rapids (W-2400/W-3400) was somewhat tempting since you will get full AVX-512 and a more monolithic-like experience than any AMD does. If you're not limited by the poor internal bandwidth on AMD they do scale for more cores, but personally I wouldn't go older than Zen 4, again for AVX-512. Zen 5 version will be great but who knows when they get around to launching it. I'd rule out Zen 2/Zen 3 on that basis alone, but that's just for my uses.
 
If you really need it, you need it. I was stuck for the longest time in the same boat and only got around it by separating my systems by use case, not one system to do everything. Sapphire Rapids (W-2400/W-3400) was somewhat tempting since you will get full AVX-512 and a more monolithic-like experience than any AMD does. If you're not limited by the poor internal bandwidth on AMD they do scale for more cores, but personally I wouldn't go older than Zen 4, again for AVX-512. Zen 5 version will be great but who knows when they get around to launching it. I'd rule out Zen 2/Zen 3 on that basis alone, but that's just for my us
Agreed, Zen4 TR 79xx or low core count (LCC) Xeon W5 24xx on a W790 platform. Prices are steep, but with low core count CPUs almost affordable, I will try to find the least expensive motherboard and ram possible, as most of my work now will be GPU intensive. I see AsRock makes an almost affordable W790 motherboard, Asus W790 and TRX50 & WRX90 boards are stratospheric.
 
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