Duration: 3:36

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Clickbait alert - no way is there a CPU with 22 Cores for $140 USD, let alone a 44 Core option for $280 USD.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but it is real, and I can prove it!

Now, naturally the Ryzen Threadripper Pro 7950X3D or 7995WX would walk by right about now and scoff at the core count. The 96 Cores 192 Threads on the 7995WX is unreal, but it also empties your bank account. The 7950X3D is sought after with its 16 Cores 32 Threads because it is more affordable, ~$ 650 USD.

So how can I claim that I have CPU with 22 Cores 44 Threads for $140 USD? Well, it requires a trip down memory lane to an era when server grade hardware really packed some punch - say 2016 - 2019.

OPTION 1:
The first candidate comes in two flavors - the Intel Xeon E5-2696 V4 / Xeon E5-2699 V4 (essentially identical performance - except the E5-2696 V4 is generally cheaper).

OPTION 2:
The second candidate costs a little less and it's newer (yeah, that makes no sense!) - say $140 USD: Intel Xeon Gold 6152.

So where is the catch? These are aged workstation / server grade CPUs that require specific hardware to use (i.e. a workstation PC and ECC memory). So surely that renders these CPUs redundant - end case. Maybe, maybe not.

EVIDENCE:
I'll let you decide - evidence:

https://www.cpubenchmark.net/compare/2753.2vs5234vs5726vs3169.2vs5480/Intel-Xeon-E5-2699-v4-vs-AMD-Ryzen-9-7950X3D-vs-AMD-Ryzen-Threadripper-PRO-7995WX-vs-Intel-Xeon-Gold-6152-vs-Intel-Xeon-w9-3495X

That probably means the systems that can support these CPUs cost a small fortune - making it impossible to obtain this performance.

Second bubble burst, but there are really affordable workstations - with dual CPU sockets (allowing that 44 Cores 88 Threads) - if you know what to search for:

🛠 Amazon/Ebay/AliExpress Affiliate Links:
(Please note these links will direct you to Amazon.com or Ebay.com or AliExpress.com and I will receive a small commission at no charge to you if a purchase is made through these links. Thank you!) Make sure to check seller ratings and reviews to avoid bad purchases.

Tech. notes:
CPU wise, avoid "ES" (Engineering Sample) versions - they may lack full functionality. "QS" (Quality Sample) is closer to retail CPU performance - so aim for them.
RAM wise, ensure you get ECC Registered Server RAM (Desktop or Unbuffered Server RAM will not work.)

OPTION 1:

HP Z840 Workstation: https://ebay.us/lwQ1Ar
Top CPUs (Broadwell - X99 Xeon CPUs):
Intel Xeon E5-2696 V4: https://amzn.to/3tMi6xj https://ebay.us/lSN5d6 https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_De0X70V
Intel Xeon E5-2699 V4: https://amzn.to/3RJJDaJ https://ebay.us/KLo1Be https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DBiKno9
Intel Xeon E5-2697 V4: https://ebay.us/UoSnKH https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_Dl6niNb
Intel Xeon E5-2697A V4: https://ebay.us/QTLXXV https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DCS8Yv7

Fastest RAM (Broadwell - X99 Server Xeons [V4 CPUs]):
DDR4 2400MHz ECC Registered: https://amzn.to/3TIKM4S https://ebay.us/SOhUOS https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DEDQMYv


OPTION 2:

HP Z8 G4 Workstation: https://ebay.us/pDQyc4
Top affordable CPUs (Gen 2 Scalable Xeons are supported but remain expensive):
Intel Xeon Gold 6142: https://ebay.us/hbP5RW
Intel Xeon Gold 6152: https://ebay.us/YIAslL

Fastest RAM (for Gen 1 Scalable Xeons):
DDR4 2666MHz ECC Registered: https://amzn.to/3vc8lc7 https://ebay.us/wsPDCy https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DmxeMk1

Video INDEX:

0:00 NewEgg Pricing - Modern hardware - $800 - 2900 USD - solid entry level options
0:34 PassMark CPU Benchmark Comparison - 22 Core 44 Thread comparison
0:57 Future video teaser - Review of HP Z800, Z820, Z840, Z8 G4 - all in one video!
1:50 HP Z8 G4 Workstation teaser - Rapid overview of key system specs.
2:55 Personality Module - ideal for HP Z Turbo Drives or any M.2 NVMe
3:15 HP Z8 G4 Cinebench and NVMe Speed test Teaser - 8TB RAID 0 NVMe pool - Unreal!

Request:
Do you have a comparison in mind with these systems?
Share your recommendations in the comments - let's make this a resource for future upgrades.

Upcoming videos:

HP Z840 to HP Z8 G4 Hardware Swap - upgrading my personal editing rig.
HP Z800/Z820/Z840/Z8 G4 Overview
HP Z8 G4 CPU Upgrade Guide

🎯 Support: https://buymeacoffee.com/RACERRRZ

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