Intel unveils X-series platform: Up to 18 cores and 36 threads, from $242 to $2,000. The new X299 platform replaces X99, and scales both lower and higher.

AMD announced its new high-end desktop (HEDT) platform, the 16-core 32-thread ThreadRipper a couple of weeks ago. At Computex in Taipei, it is Intel's turn to update its HEDT platform, and it is one-upping AMD in the process. The Intel platform, consisting of the new X299 chipset and new X-series processors, will go all the way up to 18 cores and 36 threads.

The HEDT segment is aimed at gamers, video streamers, and content creators with deep pockets or an insatiable desire for more concurrent threads than the mainstream processor segment has to offer....

...The inclusion of Kaby Lake-X processors, at prices that match their mainstream editions, gives the new X299 platform a little more reach than the old X99 platform. Buyers who are considering an i7-7700K paired with the Z270 chipset might instead plump for an i7-7740X with X299. The motherboard will, in all likelihood, be a bit more expensive, but the higher power rating, higher base clock speed, and omission of the integrated GPU should give a bit more headroom for overclocking. The ability to drop in a Skylake-X will also give the cash-rich gamer a solid upgrade path should games start to take more consistent advantage of high thread count processors....

(but read the article for yourself, see below link)

http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2017/05/intels-new-high-end-desktop-platform-up-to-18-cores-36-threads-2000/

Geez Louise - how many cores does one need - lol??

Not worth it.

Threadripper costs $849 (R9 1998 3.2/3.6GHz) and $999 (R9 1998X 3.5/3.8GHz+100MHz XFR) for 16-cores/32-threads. Intel's costs $1,699 for 16-cores/32-threads and $1,999 for 18-cores/36-threads.

Threadripper chips are also soldered on versus Intel now using crap thermal paste under even the HEDT processors now (don't expect good thermals in the X-series processors without delidding them).

Coffee Lake will be out soon and will out gun the Kaby Lake-X chips, with better clock frequencies and more cores (up to 6). Coffee Lake will also be on the 300-series chipset, which puts the Z270 and X299 to shame with truly modern I/O (6 USB 3.1 Gen2 10Gb/s ports, integrated WiFi).

Processor recommendations:

Gaming: wait for Coffee Lake (i3-, i5-, & i7-8XXX processors)

Gaming + Streaming, moderate productivity programs, heavy multi-tasking: Ryzen (R5 & R7)

Heavily-threaded applications and other workstation activity: Threadripper (R9) (If you need to go Mini-ITX then Skylake-X, as there aren't foreseeable TR4 motherboards right now)

Complicated storage (large RAID arrays): Skylake-X (i9-7XXX), but be prepared to shell out extra $$$ for dongles to enable advanced RAID features - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWFzWRoVNnE

Edited by  - 03 Jun 2017 at 5:30pm

Originally posted by  Bwahaha: CASH GRAB, THE NEW GAME FROM INTEL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3ssad0qZuU

   Or .      This could go either way.   

 

Per that article the "exclusive" deal doesn't apply to DS. Agree with you though.

Originally posted by  Ahh whoops, good catch ...I had read a different article and searched for one that referenced the exclusivity to include in the post. Hopefully that PCWorld article is correct.

I hope so as well, I don't like the idea of a certain someone hoarding them.