I want to upgrade my CPU, should i?

Dark_Ansem · 27 Sep 2022 at 11:12

As per title, I would like to upgrade my CPU but I am not sure if it is worth it or how I am supposed to do it anyway. I'd appreciate any help. Which information do I need to post?

Dark_Ansem · 27 Sep 2022 at 20:16

Thank you both: here is the CPU-Z data

Manufacturer GenuineIntel
Name Intel Core i9 7980XE
Codename Skylake-X
Specification Intel(R) Core(TM) i9-7980XE CPU @ 2.60GHz
Package (platform ID) Socket 2066 LGA (0x2)
DMI Baseboard
vendor Alienware
model 0HJ5Y7
revision A00
serial .5QXVWM2.CN6970278Q0206.

What I plan to do with my PC? work and gaming, hopefully lots of it
my GPU is a RTX 3080

Dark_Ansem · 27 Sep 2022 at 20:48

Tetras said:
What kind of work do you do? That's a very powerful (and very expensive, when it was new) workstation CPU.

It was, and I'm not entirely sure I need an entirely new one now, but I am curious to know my options and maybe make it happen if the advantages outweigh the costs.

I am a teacher and do 3d modeling/very limited animation as a side hustle.

Dark_Ansem · 27 Sep 2022 at 22:57

Thank you. Are you saying AMD + nvidia would be a good combo?

Dark_Ansem · 28 Sep 2022 at 07:17

Is there any way to check how healthy is my CPU? just to check whether I am in need of an urgent switch or it I can keep going, as I got this in 2017?

Dark_Ansem · 30 Sep 2022 at 21:46

That sucks. so I'd actually have to end up getting a new system for a CPU upgrade?

Dark_Ansem · 1 Oct 2022 at 08:00

Haz123 said:
Did you run Blender and compare your scores to systems similar to yours and other newer platforms ?

I didn't yet, as I'm assuming Blender isn't the 3d modelling program I use, yes?

Tetras said:
If you can give us the model name/number

I'm sorry, didn't I already give the name/number of CPU and motherboard? or what am I missing?

Dark_Ansem · 2 Oct 2022 at 09:41

Tetras said:
The system, if I google the motherboard it brings up several alternatives for the system and I don't know which one it is.

Oh it's the 2017 model of the Alienware Area-51.

Haz123 said:
Your PC should still be great so what in particular is making you want to upgrade the CPU? Which 3D modeling program do you use?

I feel that its performance has degraded, maybe it could be a software issue, but I'm concenred about a system format.

Dark_Ansem · 3 Oct 2022 at 20:58

mickyflinn said:
How much memory does your pc have ?

32 GB

Haz123 said:
Run Cinebench R23 that I linked in a previous post. Look at the scores, you should be expecting over 27k multi and 1200 single threaded performance. Run the benchmarks for a good few runs and see if they get progressively worse.

I will do, thanks.

Dark_Ansem · 8 Oct 2022 at 09:47

So, I did run R23 but,...
the first time, I got 17k for multi and 1065 for single, MP ratio 16.56
second time, still high end of 17k for multi and 1059 single
third time, same-ish results, high end of 17k for multi and 1048 single

Dark_Ansem · 8 Oct 2022 at 17:42

I re-did the thermal paste last year as it was really needed.
I'm trying to attach a pic here but it's not possible

Dark_Ansem · 8 Oct 2022 at 17:45

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Image Whats-App-Image-2022-10-08-at-5-40-58-PM-1 hosted in ImgBB

ibb.co

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Image Whats-App-Image-2022-10-08-at-5-40-58-PM hosted in ImgBB

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Dark_Ansem · 8 Oct 2022 at 17:54

Haz123 said:
Sorry you are misunderstanding. Need to know what the cooler is.

i.e https://www.overclockers.co.uk/alpenfohn-brocken-eco-advanced-cpu-cooler-120-mm-hs-05j-al.html - Does it look like this? Just need a simple pic of the innards of the case, Take side off and take a pic.

I actually had it replaced, it's a liquid cooler? A cooling pump specifically,

Dark_Ansem · 8 Oct 2022 at 22:06

I wonder however how can I find a compatible new motherboard however that doesn't justify a new CPU.

Dark_Ansem · 8 Oct 2022 at 23:32

Haz123 said:
Ok I have been out and chilled out a bit so I will try again.

Your cpu is not working to its full potential. This is either because the cpu is faulty , the motherbaord is not supplying adequate power or your cooling is not adequate to keep it under its tmax so it throttles. Some of these things we can test and some we cannot.

Now I have asked for a picture of the cooler so we have more of an idea whether it is upto the task. Your cpu is a 165w sku so it needs good cooling or it will throttle. If you cannot let us see a pic then a name/model number/invoice will let us know what it is.

Hwmonitor , download and install then run Cinebench R23. Run Hwmonitor and check temps and Mhz of the cpu cores whilst the R23 benchmark is running. If the temp is locked to 94c whilst the cpu cores are only at 3ghz( I do not know off the top of my head what the all core boost of that cpu should be , I was estimating with 3ghz) then you have an answer, insufficient cooling. If that is not the case then the problem may be elsewhere.

The bottom line is that you are only getting 60% of the performance your cpu is capable of, 80% in single thread.

I appreciate that and I'm sure i didn't say anything so disagreeable or asinine that required chilling out. I get most of the things you said.

Hwmonitor and cinebench results say:

Cpu temp not higher than 74° max, min 25°, average 69°

Cpu utilisation 100% max around 99% avg

Min clock 1197
Max clock 12524
Average clock between 3000 and 3300.

Dark_Ansem · 8 Oct 2022 at 23:53

Haz123 said:
Huge amount of info in that thread. Will have a look through it tomorrow to see is any if it is relevant to your situation. A new X299 mobo is £300+ so best to be certian what your problem is before you consider buying that or whether to go for a new platform entirely

I know, that's what I thought. It's a real shame as my CPU still seems healthy and powerful and after all your advice I am less willing to upgrade, but the prices seem extremely discouraging.

Dark_Ansem · 8 Oct 2022 at 23:58

Thanks to everyone, but especially to you @Haz123 for the help. I hope a solution can be found.

Dark_Ansem · 9 Oct 2022 at 09:57

OK so, I need to specify that my device is not the R2 but the Alienware Area-51 R4 and the mobo is Alienware 0HJ5Y7, don't remember PSU right now but enough to keep a 3080 nVidia up.

Dark_Ansem · 9 Oct 2022 at 12:38

The results of my Official intel test

Code:

--- IPDT64 - Revision: 4.1.7.39
--- IPDT64 - Start Time: 09/10/2022 12:32:20

CPU1
Genuine Intel CPU Test
Module Version: 1.0.23.64b.W
Start Time: Sun Oct  9 12:32:20 2022
Test Result - PASS
Expected: GenuineIntel
Detected: GenuineIntel
End Time: Sun Oct  9 12:32:20 2022
Total Time: in seconds: 0
--------------------------------------------------------------------
CPU1
CPU Brand String Test
Module Version: 1.0.25.64b.W
Start Time: Sun Oct  9 12:32:20 2022
Test Result - PASS
Expected: Intel(R) Core(TM)
Detected: Intel(R) Core(TM) i9-7980XE CPU @ 2.60GHz
Intel(R) Core(TM) processor detected..!!..
End Time: Sun Oct  9 12:32:20 2022
Total Time: in seconds: 0
--------------------------------------------------------------------
CPU1
Cache Test
Module Version: 1.0.21.64b.W
Start Time: Sun Oct  9 12:32:26 2022
Test Result - PASS

 --- Reading Cache Size --- 

- Detected L1 Data Cache Size --> 32
- Detected L1 Inst Cache Size --> 32

- Detected L2 Cache Size --> 1024
- Detected L3 Cache Size --> 25344

Cache Size Test Passed!!!

End Time: Sun Oct  9 12:32:26 2022
Total Time: in seconds: 0
--------------------------------------------------------------------
CPU1
MMXSSE Test
Module Version: 1.0.27.64b.W
Start Time: Sun Oct  9 12:32:26 2022
Test Result - PASS

DetectUtils64 DLL Version - 1.1.6

 --- Determining MMX - SSE capabilities ---
..MMX is supported on this CPU..
..SSE is supported on this CPU..
..SSE2 is supported on this CPU..
..SSE3 is supported on this CPU..
..SSSE3 is supported on this CPU..
..SSE4.1 is supported on this CPU..
..SSE4.2 is supported on this CPU..

MMX Test Result --- PASS
SSE Test Result --- PASS
SSE2 Test Result --- PASS
SSE3 Test Result --- PASS
SSSE3 Test Result --- PASS
SSE4.1 Test Result --- PASS
SSE4.2 Test Result --- PASS

End Time: Sun Oct  9 12:32:26 2022
Total Time: in seconds: 0
--------------------------------------------------------------------
CPU1
IMC Test
Module Version: 1.0.23.64b.W
Start Time: Sun Oct  9 12:32:27 2022
Test Result - PASS
--- Reading Memory Size ---
Detected Memory Size is --> 32.00GB
--- Subtest - Memory Size Test Passed!!!  ---
--- Integrated Memory Controller Stress Test ---
Memory to be allocated = 1048576 bytes
Memory Allocated.
Test 1 Ones and Zeros Moving Inversions write operations - Passed
Test 1 Ones and Zeros Moving Inversions verification operations - Passed
Test 2 32Bits Sliding Ones write operations - Passed
Test 2 32Bits Sliding Ones verification operations - Passed
Test 3 32Bits Sliding Zero write operations - Passed
Test 3 32Bits Sliding Zero verification operations - Passed
Memory Deallocated.
--- Subtest - Memory Stress Test Passed!!!  ---
Integrated Memory Controller Test Passed!!!
End Time: Sun Oct  9 12:32:27 2022
Total Time: in seconds: 0
--------------------------------------------------------------------
CPU1
Parallel_PrimeNum Test
Module Version: 1.0.0.11
Start Time: 09/10/2022 12:32:28
Test Result - PASS
 
Module Math_PrimeNum.exe Completed - Pass
 
 
Prime Number Generation Test
Module Version: 1.0.26.64b.W
Start Time: Sun Oct  9 12:32:28 2022
DetectUtils64 DLL Version - 1.1.6
AVX is supported in your OS
Max AVX supported = AVX512
Test Result - PASS
Operation Per Second: 81544
Error: 0
--- Prime Number Generation Test Passed!!!---
End Time: Sun Oct  9 12:33:13 2022
Total Time: in seconds: 45
 
Parallel_PrimeNum
End Time: 09/10/2022 12:33:13
--------------------------------------------------------------------
CPU1
Parallel_FP Test
Module Version: 1.0.0.11
Start Time: 09/10/2022 12:33:13
Test Result - PASS
 
Module AVX.exe Completed - Pass
Module Math_FP.exe Completed - Pass
 
 
AVX Test
Module Version: 2.0.28.64b.W
Start Time: Sun Oct  9 12:33:13 2022
Test Result - PASS

DetectUtils64 DLL Version - 1.1.6

  --- CPU Features Detection ---
..AVX is supported by this CPU..
..AVX2 is supported by this CPU..
..AVX512BW is supported by this CPU..
..AVX512CD is supported by this CPU..
..AVX512DQ is supported by this CPU..
..AVX512ER is NOT supported by this CPU..
..AVX512F is supported by this CPU..
..AVX512IFMA52 is NOT supported by this CPU..
..AVX512PF is NOT supported by this CPU..
..AVX512VBMI is NOT supported by this CPU..
..AVX512VL is supported by this CPU..
..AES is supported by this CPU..
..PCLMULQDQ is supported by this CPU..

..AVX is supported by this Operating System..

Most Advanced AVX Feature Detected.. AVX512
AVX512 Test Result --- PASS
AES Test Result --- PASS
PCLMULQDQ Test Result --- PASS

End Time: Sun Oct  9 12:34:03 2022
Total Time: in seconds: 50
 
 
Floating Point Test
Module Version: 1.0.25.64b.W
Start Time: Sun Oct  9 12:33:13 2022
DetectUtils64 DLL Version - 1.1.6
AVX is supported in your OS
AVX, AVX2 or AVX512 not supported
FMA3 supported
Test Result - PASS
Million Floating Points per Second, MFLOPS: 0.5225
Error: 0
--- Floating Point Test Passed!!!---
End Time: Sun Oct  9 12:33:58 2022
Total Time: in seconds: 45
 
Parallel_FP
End Time: 09/10/2022 12:34:03
--------------------------------------------------------------------
CPU1
Parallel_Math Test
Module Version: 1.0.0.11
Start Time: 09/10/2022 12:34:03
Test Result - PASS
 
Module Math_PrimeNum.exe Completed - Pass
Module FMA3.exe Completed - Pass
 
 
Prime Number Generation Test
Module Version: 1.0.26.64b.W
Start Time: Sun Oct  9 12:34:03 2022
DetectUtils64 DLL Version - 1.1.6
AVX is supported in your OS
Max AVX supported = AVX512
Test Result - PASS
Operation Per Second: 78725
Error: 0
--- Prime Number Generation Test Passed!!!---
End Time: Sun Oct  9 12:34:48 2022
Total Time: in seconds: 45
 
 
FMA3 Test
Module Version: 1.0.26.64b.W
Start Time: Sun Oct  9 12:34:03 2022
Test Result - PASS

DetectUtils64 DLL Version - 1.1.6

  --- CPU Features Detection ---
..FMA3 is supported by this CPU..
..FMA3 is supported by this Operating System..

FMA3 Test Result --- PASS

End Time: Sun Oct  9 12:34:48 2022
Total Time: in seconds: 45
 
Parallel_Math
End Time: 09/10/2022 12:34:48
--------------------------------------------------------------------
CPU1
Parallel_GPUStressW Test
Module Version: 1.0.0.11
Start Time: 09/10/2022 12:34:48
Test Result - PASS
 
Module Math_PrimeNum.exe Completed - Pass
Module Math_FP.exe Completed - Pass
 
 
Prime Number Generation Test
Module Version: 1.0.26.64b.W
Start Time: Sun Oct  9 12:34:48 2022
DetectUtils64 DLL Version - 1.1.6
AVX is supported in your OS
Max AVX supported = AVX512
Test Result - PASS
Operation Per Second: 79066
Error: 0
--- Prime Number Generation Test Passed!!!---
End Time: Sun Oct  9 12:35:18 2022
Total Time: in seconds: 30
 
 
Floating Point Test
Module Version: 1.0.25.64b.W
Start Time: Sun Oct  9 12:34:48 2022
DetectUtils64 DLL Version - 1.1.6
AVX is supported in your OS
AVX, AVX2 or AVX512 not supported
FMA3 supported
Test Result - PASS
Million Floating Points per Second, MFLOPS: 0.6175
Error: 0
--- Floating Point Test Passed!!!---
End Time: Sun Oct  9 12:35:18 2022
Total Time: in seconds: 30
 
Parallel_GPUStressW
End Time: 09/10/2022 12:35:18
--------------------------------------------------------------------
CPU1
DGEMM Stress Test
Module Version: 1.0.14.64b.W
Start Time: Sun Oct  9 12:35:18 2022
Test Result - PASS

DetectUtils64 DLL Version - 1.1.6

  --- CPU Features Detection ---
..AVX is supported by this Operating System..

Most Advanced AVX Feature Detected.. AVX512
DGEMM AVX512 Test Result --- PASS

End Time: Sun Oct  9 12:36:18 2022
Total Time: in seconds: 60
--------------------------------------------------------------------
CPU1
Frequency Check
Module Version: 1.0.5.64b.W
Start Time: Sun Oct  9 12:36:25 2022
Test Result - PASS
Processor Name: Intel(R) Core(TM) i9-7980XE CPU @ 2.60GHz
Expected Processor Frequency: 2.60
Measured Processor Frequency: 2.591174
End Time: Sun Oct  9 12:36:26 2022
Total Time: in seconds: 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------

System Information
------------------
Processor Name: Intel(R) Core(TM) i9-7980XE CPU @ 2.60GHz
Processor Information: Family 6 Model 55 Stepping 4
Number of Physical Cores: 18
Number of Logical Cores: 36
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Pro 64 bit
Graphics Information: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080
--------------------------------------------------------------------

--- IPDT64 - End Time: 09/10/2022 12:36:26
--- IPDT64 - Result: Pass
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Dark_Ansem · 9 Oct 2022 at 14:00

Bloated install could be a possibility. But the only way that would be fixed would be with a reinstall. So i might as well get a new OS SSD.

I guess the bottom line questions are: is my CPU still going to be valid for a while? How do I know which new motherboard is gonna be compatible with my rig?