So, my budget is 3KGBP, my use case is i do 3d modelling work (have done for 25years now), and would like a better machine that i can do (light) GPU render tests on. It will likely also do short (few days) runs of CPU rendering too.
Naturally, no amount of horsepower or RAM is ever really enough for 3D rendering, but this is the best config i could come up with within my budget.
As far as gaming goes, since i only turned to that recently (more and more as i get older it looks like), i only own 3 games: KSP2, Cities Skylines II, and X4 Foundations (so far), but its not a primary concern for this machine, just a nice-to-have.
Now i know, i am about to be told i sould go with AMD, perhaps the 7900 X3D?
Main reason im going with intel is i sometimes use older windows software, which i have had issues with AMD (mostly very niche 3DSMax Plugin stuff), but that was some time ago now, but i am very fearful of that.
I wont be overclocking it, as i need it to be stable, and will likely be doubling that 96GB of RAM in a couple of months, and no, it still wont be enough :(
I would be greatful for any advice, especially on the AMD side of things.
There’s basically no reason to look at Intel systems these days other than they have more system integrators using them. Zen 4 is generally better all around, especially in efficiency, considering how fucking expensive power is in your parts of the world. I have had zero integration problems with my 7900x system running old CAD packages and games dating to 2009. In fact I’ve heard bigger problems with some software packages not knowing how to effectively use Intel’s P vs E cores right.
I’m not sure an x3d chip is worth the dough. The 3d vcache has massive benefits in select workflows where you’re doing repetitive calculations on relatively small bits of data. Gaming fits this to a T. Modelling or any kind of media doesn’t, you need horsepower and a faster RAM bus because literally nothing will fit in cache.
Additional problem: The x3d cache is only placed on one of the two CCD dies on the 2-die 7900x3d, so only half of your cores can see the benefit of it. The other half incur a performance penalty for trying to access L4 cache data across the infinity fabric. Windows is bad at scheduling this, as Windows is bad at many things.
X3d also forces lower power limits and much more limited processor clocks. The vcache sitting atop the logic die is fragile and AMD treats it gingerly. So you actually lose productivity horsepower going to an x3d chip over the normal one as it cannot clock as high or run the infinity fabric (memory controller) as fast.
Verdict: just get a 7900x, or if your budget can be stretched for it, spring on the 7950x. You’ll see a lot better oomph for the $ doing media work over any of the x3d chips while using half or less the power of an Intel system.
Also AM5 is a much longer lived platform. Intel’s 14th gen is end of life for the socket and will require an additional motherboard replacement if you ever try to upgrade. AM5 will be fresh for at least two more processor generations to go.