I'm in the market for a PC that can handle mixed tasks like rendering and server hosting with virtual machines. I came across a 10980XE bundled with a motherboard and 32GB of RAM for $550. I'm wondering if its 18 cores and 48 PCIe lanes make it worth it, even though the cores themselves are slower.
3 Answers
If you’re considering other options, a 13700K can match the all-core performance of an overclocked 10980XE while using less power. The only real advantage of the 10980XE is the extra PCIe lanes, though remember they’re the older 3.0 type, and ECC memory support depends on the motherboard.
The 10980XE is definitely a throwback. It’s decent for a workstation, especially for things like file servers or home labs. You can even game on it somewhat, but it’s not the best for that purpose.
I think you’d be better off going for a 9700X setup with 32GB DDR5 and a motherboard at Microcenter for the same price. It’s more modern and could give you better performance for your needs.
Yeah, but factoring in the cost of a plane ticket to get to Microcenter really changes the game!
Yeah, but my main setup is a 5700X3D with a 6900XT, so I’m only looking at this for server use.