Unleashing the Power: Intel's Skylake X CPUs

Unleashing the Power: Intel's Skylake X CPUs

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Intel's Skylake X-series
   1. Competition from AMD
   2. Intel's Response
   3. Skylake X CPU Lineup
3. Performance and Value Analysis
   1. Memory Bandwidth
   2. Cinebench R15 Multi-threaded Performance
   3. Video Encoding and Compression
   4. Productivity and Content Creation
   5. Gaming Performance
4. Power Consumption and Overclocking
5. Price vs. Performance
6. Conclusion
7. FAQ

Introduction

In this article, we will explore Intel's new Skylake X-series CPUs. These processors were announced during the Computex 2017 trade show and are Intel's response to the competition posed by AMD's Ryzen CPUs. With the Skylake X-series, Intel is offering a wide range of high-end desktop processors, ranging from 4 to 18 cores. We will delve into the performance, value, power consumption, and overclocking capabilities of these CPUs, and compare them to AMD's Ryzen CPUs.

Intel's Skylake X-series

Competition from AMD

AMD's Ryzen 7 and Ryzen 5 CPUs have shaken up the CPU market, providing serious competition for Intel's mainstream offerings. The announcement of AMD's high-end desktop series, called Threadripper, further threatened Intel's position. Threadripper CPUs offer up to 16 cores and 32 Threads at a considerably lower price than Intel's Core i9 CPUs.

Intel's Response

To combat the competition and with the impending threat of Threadripper, Intel rushed to release the Skylake X-series. The Skylake X CPUs come in various core counts, ranging from 4 to 10 cores, with the promise of 12, 14, 16, and 18 core models to be released later in the year. Intel aims to maintain its higher pricing despite the competition, positioning the Core i9 7900X as the cheapest 10-core CPU at $1000.

Skylake X CPU Lineup

The Skylake X-series includes three CPUs that we will focus on in this article: the Core i9 7900X, the Core i7 7820X, and the Core i7 7800X. These CPUs offer different core counts and price points, catering to various users' needs and budgets. The more expensive models provide more PCIe lanes, while the cheaper models offer fewer lanes.

Performance and Value Analysis

Memory Bandwidth

The Skylake X CPUs demonstrate improved memory bandwidth compared to previous generations. Running at DDR4-3200, the Core i9 7900X and Core i7 7800X showed significant improvements over their predecessors. This enhanced memory bandwidth positively impacts tasks such as rendering, video editing, and decompressing files.

Cinebench R15 Multi-threaded Performance

In the Cinebench R15 multi-threaded test, the AMD Ryzen 7 CPUs outperformed Intel's previous-generation 10-core CPU, the Core i7 6950X. However, the Core i7 7820X and Core i9 7900X were able to match or surpass the Ryzen 7 CPUs' performance, offering a significant boost in multi-threaded performance.

Video Encoding and Compression

The Skylake X CPUs excel in tasks like video encoding and compression. The Core i9 7900X, with its 10 cores and 20 threads, outperforms the Core i7 6950X by a substantial margin in these tests. Additionally, the higher clock speeds of the Core i7 7820X and Core i7 7800X provide them with a competitive edge in single-threaded performance.

Productivity and Content Creation

In productivity tests for everyday office applications, the Skylake X CPUs perform well, with the Core i7 7820X and Core i7 7800X holding their own against the Core i5 7600K, which is known for its strong performance in this category. In content creation tests, the Skylake X CPUs demonstrate their power, delivering impressive results in photo editing, rendering, visualization, and video editing.

Gaming Performance

While gaming is not the primary focus of these high-end CPUs, they still perform admirably in CPU-intensive games. The Core i7 7820X and Core i7 7800X handle games that heavily utilize multiple cores quite well, providing smooth gameplay. However, for gaming purposes, the AMD Ryzen 7 CPUs remain a strong contender with their excellent price-performance ratio.

Power Consumption and Overclocking

One trade-off with the Skylake X CPUs is their increased power consumption compared to their predecessors. These CPUs Consume 20% to 40% more power, making them hotter and hungrier for energy. Overclocking the Skylake X CPUs puts an even greater strain on power consumption, requiring better cooling solutions. It is essential to consider this factor when deciding whether or not to overclock.

Price vs. Performance

When comparing the Skylake X CPUs to their AMD Ryzen counterparts, it becomes clear that AMD offers better value for money. The Ryzen 7 CPUs, especially the Ryzen 7 1700, provide similar or better performance than the Skylake X CPUs at a significantly lower price point. While the Skylake X CPUs offer impressive performance, they struggle to justify their high price in the face of AMD's competitive offerings.

Conclusion

The Skylake X-series CPUs from Intel showcase impressive performance for high-end desktop users. They deliver exceptional results in tasks such as rendering, video editing, and content creation. However, when considering value for money, AMD's Ryzen CPUs, particularly the Ryzen 7 series, offer a more compelling option with comparable performance at a lower price. With the impending release of AMD's Threadripper CPUs, consumers should carefully evaluate their options before purchasing Intel's Skylake X CPUs.

FAQ

Q: Are the Skylake X CPUs compatible with existing motherboards?

A: No, the Skylake X CPUs require a new motherboard with an Intel X299 chipset.

Q: Can the Skylake X CPUs be overclocked?

A: Yes, the Skylake X CPUs can be overclocked, but they require robust cooling solutions and consume more power when overclocked.

Q: Are the PCIe lane differences significant between the Skylake X CPU models?

A: The differences in PCIe lanes are mainly Relevant for users who require a large number of expansion cards or multiple high-bandwidth devices. For most users, the PCIe lane count will not significantly impact performance.

Q: Should I wait for AMD's Threadripper CPUs before purchasing a Skylake X CPU?

A: It is advisable to wait for the release of AMD's Threadripper CPUs and compare their performance and pricing against the Skylake X CPUs before making a purchase decision.