Threadripper 1950X vs Core i9 7900X - Ultimate Gaming and Rendering Showdown!

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Specifications of the Thermaltake Flow Ring RGB 360 TT
3. Comparison with Intel Core i7 7900X
4. Performance in productivity Tasks
5. Performance in Gaming
6. Overclocking Capabilities
7. PCIe Gen3 Lanes and NVMe RAID Support
8. Maturing of the Ryzen Platform
9. Potential Future Rematch with Intel
10. Conclusion

Introduction

In this article, we will be discussing the Thermaltake Flow Ring RGB 360 TT and its performance compared to the Intel Core i7 7900X. The Thermaltake Flow Ring RGB 360 TT is a premium edition liquid cooling solution that features three 120-millimeter ring plus RGB fans and an LED waterblock with native support for socket AM4 and LGA 2066. It offers superior cooling and comes with software-controlled addressable RGB LEDs. On the other HAND, the Intel Core i7 7900X is a competing CPU in the same price range. Both CPUs are priced at a thousand dollars, making them suitable options for users looking for high-performance desktop processors. In this article, we will compare their specifications, performance in productivity tasks and gaming, overclocking capabilities, PCIe Gen3 lanes, NVMe RAID support, and discuss the maturing of the Ryzen platform. Finally, we will conclude with our thoughts on these CPUs and their potential future performance.

Specifications of the Thermaltake Flow Ring RGB 360 TT

The Thermaltake Flow Ring RGB 360 TT is equipped with three 120-millimeter ring plus RGB fans and an LED waterblock. It has native support for socket AM4 and LGA 2066, making it compatible with a wide range of CPUs. The superior cooling performance of this CLC (Closed-Loop Cooler) makes it an ideal choice for users with unlocked CPUs. The software-controlled addressable RGB LEDs add a touch of aesthetics to the system. To learn more about the Thermaltake Flow Ring RGB 360 TT, you can visit the product page.

Comparison with Intel Core i7 7900X

The Intel Core i7 7900X is a thousand-dollar CPU that competes with the Thermaltake Flow Ring RGB 360 TT. While the Thermaltake Flow Ring RGB 360 TT offers 16 cores and 32 Threads, the Intel Core i7 7900X provides 10 cores and 20 threads. In terms of clock speeds, the Thermaltake Flow Ring RGB 360 TT has a base clock of 3.4 GHz and a boost clock of 4.0 GHz with a 200 MHz XFR boost. On the other hand, the Intel Core i7 7900X has a base clock of 3.3 GHz and a boost clock of 4.3 GHz with a 4.5 GHz burst. The Thermaltake Flow Ring RGB 360 TT also boasts 32 megabytes of L3 cache compared to the 13.75 megabytes in the Intel Core i7 7900X. One of the significant differences between these CPUs is the PCIe Gen3 lanes, with the Intel Core i7 7900X offering 44 lanes and the Thermaltake Flow Ring RGB 360 TT providing 64 lanes. Additionally, the power consumption is higher in the Thermaltake Flow Ring RGB 360 TT, with 180 watts compared to the 140 watts of the Intel Core i7 7900X. Both CPUs support quad-Channel DDR4 memory.

Performance in Productivity Tasks

When it comes to productivity tasks such as editing, rendering, and encoding, both the Thermaltake Flow Ring RGB 360 TT and the Intel Core i7 7900X perform admirably. The Thermaltake Flow Ring RGB 360 TT excels in tasks such as encoding 4K videos, where it is approximately 22% faster than the Intel Core i7 7900X. However, in tasks like rendering in Adobe Premiere, the Intel Core i7 7900X manages to perform 12% faster. Overclocking can significantly improve the performance of both CPUs in workstation applications, with gains of 10 to 15% observed in Handbrake and 17 to 19% in Adobe Premiere. Overall, both CPUs provide an excellent experience for productivity tasks, but it is worth considering overclocking for optimal performance.

Performance in Gaming

In terms of gaming performance, both CPUs offer a satisfying gaming experience. At 4K resolution, where the GPU becomes the primary bottleneck, there is no significant difference in performance between the Thermaltake Flow Ring RGB 360 TT and the Intel Core i7 7900X. However, at lower resolutions such as 1440p and 1080p, the Intel Core i7 7900X pulls ahead with an average FPS that is 26% higher than the Thermaltake Flow Ring RGB 360 TT. Gamers who primarily play at resolutions below 4K and are aiming for higher frame rates should consider the Intel Core i7 7900X, especially if they have a 144Hz display. Both CPUs deliver exceptional gaming performance, but the Intel Core i7 7900X offers a slight advantage in terms of frame rates.

Overclocking Capabilities

Overclocking can significantly enhance the performance of both the Thermaltake Flow Ring RGB 360 TT and the Intel Core i7 7900X. The Thermaltake Flow Ring RGB 360 TT can be overclocked to 4.0 GHz across all cores, providing a performance boost. However, due to thermal limitations, it is recommended to monitor the temperatures and ensure they are within acceptable limits. The Intel Core i7 7900X, on the other hand, can be overclocked to 4.5 GHz across all cores with just 1.2 volts, which is relatively low. This moderate overclocking helps in reducing temperatures, with the maximum load temperature reaching only 60 degrees Celsius. Overclocking is recommended for users looking to maximize the performance of either CPU, especially for workstation tasks.

PCIe Gen3 Lanes and NVMe RAID Support

One of the key advantages of the Thermaltake Flow Ring RGB 360 TT and other CPUs in the Threadripper family is the availability of 64 PCIe Gen3 lanes. This provides users with additional flexibility for multi-GPU setups and NVMe storage configurations. However, it is worth noting that at the time of launch, booting off an NVMe RAID array is not supported on Threadripper CPUs. This might be a limitation for users who require this feature, although there is a possibility that AMD will add support for it in the future. In comparison, Intel provides NVMe RAID support right out of the gate, making it a more suitable option for users who require this functionality.

Maturing of the Ryzen Platform

The Ryzen platform, including the Thermaltake Flow Ring RGB 360 TT, is relatively new compared to Intel's platform. As a result, the Ryzen platform is still maturing, and developers are continually optimizing for higher core count CPUs. While Intel has been the dominant player in the market for years, it will be interesting to see how AMD's Ryzen platform evolves and gains leverage over Intel in terms of performance. As the Ryzen platform matures, it is expected that more optimizations will be made, potentially resulting in a more significant performance difference between the Thermaltake Flow Ring RGB 360 TT and the Intel Core i7 7900X in the future.

Potential Future Rematch with Intel

Given the rapid advancements in CPU technology, it would be worthwhile to revisit the comparison between the Thermaltake Flow Ring RGB 360 TT and the Intel Core i7 7900X in the future. As both platforms evolve and new generations of CPUs are released, it is possible that AMD may gain even more leverage over Intel. Factors such as software optimizations, architectural advancements, and improvements in manufacturing processes can all contribute to differences in performance. It would be fascinating to observe the progress and potential rematch between these two CPUs six months to a year from now to determine how the landscape has shifted.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Thermaltake Flow Ring RGB 360 TT and the Intel Core i7 7900X are both exceptional CPUs priced at a thousand dollars. The Thermaltake Flow Ring RGB 360 TT excels in productivity tasks, offering superior performance in tasks such as encoding. On the other hand, the Intel Core i7 7900X performs slightly better in gaming, especially at resolutions below 4K. Overclocking improves the performance of both CPUs in both productivity tasks and gaming. The availability of 64 PCIe Gen3 lanes in the Thermaltake Flow Ring RGB 360 TT provides more flexibility in terms of multi-GPU setups and NVMe storage. However, the lack of NVMe RAID support at launch might be a drawback for some users. The Ryzen platform is still maturing, and future optimizations may further enhance its performance. Overall, both the Thermaltake Flow Ring RGB 360 TT and the Intel Core i7 7900X are solid options for users seeking high-performance CPUs, and the choice ultimately depends on the individual's specific needs and preferences.