Need help for CPU choice

Development Getting Started & Setup
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Hi, I would like to ask you for advice on choosing the processor for my new workstation. The current configuration is as follows:

Intel Xeon 5218R 20Core 40 Threads 2.1GHz 2666MHz 125W CPU
96GB (6x16GB) DDR4 2933 DIMM ECC Registered 1CPU Memory
NVIDIA RTX A5000 24GB DH Blower Fan 4DP PCIe x16 Graphics
HP Z Turbo Drive M.2 2TB TLC SSD
HP Z Turbo Drive M.2 2TB TLC SSD 2nd
6TB 7200RPM SATA 3.5in Enterprise

I would like to ask you if the base frequency of 2.1 Ghz is enough for optimal performance or should I look for a processor with fewer cores but with a higher frequency?

Thank you

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Do you have a specific reason to go for Xeon & RTX A series and the very unusual SSD? This looks like something assembled by HP website part picker. What do they charge for this kind of setup?

For example, put Intel Xeon 5218R against the Ryzen 5950x and the latter will absolutely demolish it for half the price…

Same with the GPU - you can’t even start comparing A5000 with a, let’s say, GeForce 3090 - it’s a different performance shelf and, while the 3090 is ludicrously expensive, it is still much cheaper.

You’re posting this here - the workstation is for development with UE4/5; there are much better traditional hardware choices.

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Thanks for the reply Everynone.
You are right, in fact it is an HP assembly. Price isn’t a big deal at the moment.
I’m just looking for the optimal configuration to use Unreal to work on game dev, virtual production and all the rest.
In the configuration I chose a processor with 20 cores but my fear is that the frequency of 2.1Ghz can slow me down

My doubt concerns the processor frequency: it is preferable to have fewer cores (12-16) with a frequency of 3.0-3.4Ghz or many cores (20 +) but with lower frequencies (2.1Ghz) to speed up the processes ( like compiling shaders and other stuff)?

Thank you

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If money is no problem, there are always Threadrippers - 64c/128t monsters running up to @4.5GHz+. This solves all your problems :wink:

I chose a processor with 20 cores but my fear is that the frequency of 2.1Ghz can slow me down

The problem I see is that this chip has a really bad price-to-performance ratio. Also, socket - motherboard choice is not great. Think about it, if you paid half the price for the 5950x you’d still get better performance. Why buy something worse for more?

Yes, 2,1GHz is on the lower end is sluggish by today’s standards. You want both, the thread count and the high clock speeds, ofc. Besides, there is so much more to the CPU than core count x GHz. There is a reason why a humble 16c/24t 12900k smashes the charts.

The diminishing returns kick in rather quickly with computer hardware.

My initial question still stands - why Xeon + A5000? Perhaps do some research regarding what those components really offer (and ECC memory) - because great performance it is not.

Out of sheer curiosity I went to the website:

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image718Ă—152 9.13 KB

That’s not even the price of the CPU, that’s the extra… you must cough up for the upgrade. Compare it to the venerable TR 3960X - costs less & sports 24c/48t @ 3.8GHz - 4.5GHz. And there’s an updated TR line on the market as well. Offers somewhat iterative increments only, though.

Perhaps build a machine around a chip like this if you have money burning a hole in the pocket. You will get superior performance - that’s what you’re after, right?

  • 12900k
  • fancy mobo because we can afford it
  • GeForce 3090ti, as above
  • 128 GB RAM
  • 2x gen 4 ssd
  • fat HDD
  • $1k case
  • platinum grade PSU
  • 3x 4k screens

You’ve now outperformed the original config by a lot and has yet to reach 50% of the budget. Yeah, HP charges another $2k+ for 96GB of RAM - but at least it’s ECC.

You could always buy 2 of those and still have spare change.

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If this is a corporate purchase order, and you have to stick with HP, then, yes, you will want to improve the CPU frequency even if you reduce the number of cores.

If your corporation can also go with Lenovo, then the Threadripper Pro machines from Lenovo are a better value AND faster – a 5965WX based system will do much better than that Xeon.

If you’re buying with your own money, get something with a Ryzen 5950X as Everynone says, and a RTX 3090 card instead of the Quadro.

1 Like
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thanks a lot guys, i really appreciate your help. I will follow your advice even if the 12900K maybe I will not be able to buy it in a reasonable time, maybe I will have to settle for the I9-10980XE. I think it’s a good choice anyway, right?

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Everynone, regarding you question about the video card I noticed that the Quadro A5000 has the same price of the RTX3090Ti. I thought the A5000 was slightly better. I was wrong?

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The 3090ti would be several times faster in some tasks. At least double in others.

I9-10980XE is now 2 generations old, the next gen is around a corner. Why invest in old tech?

Research benchmarks, see how hardware pieces compare in UE4 / apps. Draw conclusions.

Why trust a random internet person :stuck_out_tongue_closed_eyes: