another "Building a PC" cores and threads question

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EdwardKiy
Posts: 760
Joined: 02 Oct 2019

21 Jun 2020

building a cheap desktop workstation. A friend offered me a work-ready setup with older dual-processors for $650 and I'm wondering if I should save up for a Ryzen 7 3700x instead. The Ryzen setup with equivalent RAM etc will cost me ¬$900. The goal is to run DSP-heavy hardware synth emulators, because I've hit the performance cap on my i5 8250U laptop.

x2 Intel Xeon E5-2660 (2.7-3.0 Ghz) processors = 16 cores/32 threads
GPU Palit GTX 1060 3GB
RAM: Samsung 32GB DDR3 1866MHz running in 4 channel mode, so should be equivalent to DDR4 speed
m.2 SSD : Toshiba XG5 KXG50ZNV256G
HDD: Seagate 1TB (7200rpm)
+hi-end ventilation and power block to support this

The classic struggle:
how much more use will I get out of the multi-core + multi-thread performance (-$) vs less cores with higher power each (+$$$)?

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splangie
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21 Jun 2020

I would offer 500 for the Xeon with a 1060 or spend 250 more than he wants for it and get the Ryzen system especially if you think performance requirements could go up in the future.

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Boombastix
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Location: Bay Area, CA

21 Jun 2020

The 2660 will probably be useless and it's single core perf will choke under even the simples amount of load if you want to use any CPU heavy VST. Ryzen 7 3700x will be the equivalent of a Ferrari vs 2660 being a moped...
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EdwardKiy
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21 Jun 2020

Thanks guys. Had the feeling this wasn't as good value as it seemed. This whole single core vs multicore performance thing is a bit confusing.

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Boombastix
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21 Jun 2020

EdwardKiy wrote:
21 Jun 2020
Thanks guys. Had the feeling this wasn't as good value as it seemed. This whole single core vs multicore performance thing is a bit confusing.
CPU performance is not just the GHz and cores, but the architecture too. Since we did some testing in Reason+Expanse a few days ago it became clear the mid range Ryzen are high performers and very attractive cost. 3700x or 3900x are both incredible from a value/perf point of view and plenty of raw power to keep you going w/o bouncing. And the AM4 socket will allow you to upgrade CPU w/o new Mobo/RAM. Intel keeps changing socket all the time forcing you to buy a new MoBo, super annoying.
10% off at Waves with link: https://www.waves.com/r/6gh2b0
Disclaimer - I get 10% as well.

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bxbrkrz
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Joined: 17 Jan 2015

22 Jun 2020

AMD roadmap suggests Zen 4 CPUs will require new processor socket in 2021

https://www.pcgamesn.com/amd/zen-4-cpu-new-socket-2021
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zoidkirb
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Location: Brisbane Australia
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22 Jun 2020

bxbrkrz wrote:
22 Jun 2020
AMD roadmap suggests Zen 4 CPUs will require new processor socket in 2021

https://www.pcgamesn.com/amd/zen-4-cpu-new-socket-2021
But we're at Zen 2 with the 3000 Ryzens. Looks like Zen 3/ 4000 series will still be on the same socket still.

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bxbrkrz
Posts: 3814
Joined: 17 Jan 2015

22 Jun 2020

It's all good then.
757365206C6F67696320746F207365656B20616E73776572732075736520726561736F6E20746F2066696E6420776973646F6D20676574206F7574206F6620796F757220636F6D666F7274207A6F6E65206F7220796F757220696E737069726174696F6E2077696C6C206372797374616C6C697A6520666F7265766572

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