Intel Comet Lake Thread

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Zucker2k

Golden Member
Feb 15, 2006
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I can only hope the 16 thread stuff will compete, will be nice to have some price wars again. Not that i am in the market for one with the recent purchase of a 3900x. I could only look forward to more 24 thread upgrades or just ascend to more cores. I rather have 24 insanely fast threads over more cores for at least 5 years. If Intel gives me a faster 24 thread option in a few years will be up to them.

The 16 thread stuff will be the big seller prob by next year if next gen games finally push pass 12 threads. I think they will and if not well if the next gen consoles have 16 threads why the heck would the pc ports not use at least 14 if not more threads? I guess one could get a 3600/i5 Comet
now then ride that into the 4000/Rocket then get whatever best 16 thread option then. I doubt a 3700x/10700k will be a slouch for gaming for at least 3 years. Bet either will do 60fps+ in all games but the worst coded ones.

As for the thread issue, well what can ya do besides get a 3900x/3950x? Gonna be a niche market for anyone wanting more then 10 cores so i guess i could see why Intel capped at 10 cores for now. Well that and the inferno that would result from 14++++. Intel dropping more then 10 cores with Rocket or no? Or would this be in the realm of unknown information at this point?
10 cores running at 4.9GHz ACO should consume more or equal to 12 cores running at 4.6 - 4.7GHz ACO because of the higher energy inefficiency delta between those clocks. The ring bus probably was the main barrier here. Rocketlake is too fat and should consume too much, as a result, to fit 12 cores or more on 14nm for client desktop.
 
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mopardude87

Diamond Member
Oct 22, 2018
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10 cores running at 4.9GHz ACO should consume more or equal to 12 cores running at 4.6 - 4.7GHz ACO because of the higher energy inefficiency delta between those clocks. The ring bus probably was the main barrier here. Rocketlake is too fat and should consume too much, as a result, to fit 12 cores or more on 14nm for client desktop.

Well i guess if that is the case, then AMD is the clear choice for a while then when it comes to cores. I haven't paid to much attention to Rocket, i only did a bit of reading about it yesterday being drop in compatible with Z490 and some mention of PCI-E 4.0 i think? Kinda lost interest in the entire platform the second i found out it topped out at 10 cores. Not banking on future upgrades for a platform, i got the 3900x just assuming its lasting me till 5000 series.

I will be curious to see some 10 core Intel vs 12 core AMD action, given they clocked these things to the moon MAYBE a chance in some select stuff it could hold up or beat the 3900x? I do mean out of the box performance without overclocking, from what i have gathered either chip is overclocker material.

Maybe when more processors are based off graphene, we could just laugh at all these power hungry beasts. Well when graphen takes off its just gonna make these chips look like a 386 in comparison anyways most likely. I pray this comes sooner rather then later.
 

lobz

Platinum Member
Feb 10, 2017
2,057
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It's still a downgrade from the last-gen cooler (no more copper core, louder fan). @VirtualLarry 's 3600 would in no way, shape, or form ever work properly with that cooler. Granted he does crazy stuff but whatever.
by that standard we could call the 2080ti a bad card because some of them had the space invaders minigame built in
 
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piokos

Senior member
Nov 2, 2018
554
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Assuming the i9-10900 comes with the same HSF Intel's other 65w chips have come with - it's going to be sitting at 2.8Ghz on any kind of sustained all-core load.
Yes. But is that so bad? 10 cores @2.8GHz for 65W?
Sure, it won't go anywhere near Ryzen 3000 based on 7N node. They can't magically cover the density gap.
Then again, considering that in the same power budget AMD gives you 8 cores @ 3.6GHz (3700X) the gap isn't as huge as one could think.
Intel is slower, but it isn't slow.
And the 5.2GHz single-core boost will make it perfectly smooth in everyday computing (browsing web etc).
Really, not bad.

What we have to remember, is that 10900 isn't really competing with 3900X.
It goes for the title of the fastest CPU with an IGP - competing with a yet-unknown 8-core APU.
And judging by the Ryzen 3700 PRO figures, Intel probably keeps the crown - despite the node disadvantage and an aging architecture. And that's a huge achievement that most people underestimate.
 
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piokos

Senior member
Nov 2, 2018
554
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My expectation is it will match the amd cpu but needs to use 2x the power to do it.
That depends how you compare.
In a typical big DIY setup, with PSU and cooling headroom, CPUs aren't constrained and will run as fast as they.
3900X will draw 142W in that scenario. And you're probably right: a 10-core i9 will have to draw between 250-300W to match that performance. That's because it has to boost way beyond the optimal efficiency zone.

But sometimes a PC is power or cooling constrained - which is true for almost all business desktops and many gaming/casual cheaper OEM products as well.
At that point you're not comparing "how much CPUs pull with same performance", but rather: "how much performance they provide on the same power budget".

Lets say the 12-core Ryzen runs at 65W since you're in a more power/heat-constrained situation, like a typical SFF business desktop. Judging by the 3900 PRO, it'll run at 3.1GHz all-core. A 10-core Intel should be able to match that using around 95W (TDP of 9900K). So it's not twice as much anymore, "just" ~145%.
 
Apr 30, 2020
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Yes. But is that so bad? 10 cores @2.8GHz for 65W?
Sure, it won't go anywhere near Ryzen 3000 based on 7N node. They can't magically cover the density gap.
Then again, considering that in the same power budget AMD gives you 8 cores @ 3.6GHz (3700X) the gap isn't as huge as one could think.
Intel is slower, but it isn't slow.
It's not great considering the 16-core 3950x in 65w eco-mode will deliver those kind of all-core clocks with better IPC.
And the 5.2GHz single-core boost will make it perfectly smooth in everyday computing (browsing web etc).
Really, not bad.
... so someone is going to buy a 10c part for general computing and web browsing? The whole point of high-core-count parts is to be able to utilize them. With a 65w power budget, there are many better options from AMD.
 

mopardude87

Diamond Member
Oct 22, 2018
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And the 5.2GHz single-core boost will make it perfectly smooth in everyday computing (browsing web etc).

Been happy with the 4.2ghz this 7700k fully loads to, the 3900x gonna load to the same fully loaded when its under the NH-D15. The 3700x does the same i think? Amd could have prob pushed clocks but then it would have amped up power usage. 4.2ghz for most myself included will be fine.

I am more for IPC gains/efficiency tweaks over shear clocks. Benefits end users and oems as you could get cheaper boards and still use the stock cooler as well while i hunted high and low during a recent Newegg "shortage" cause a cheapo board would not actively support a 3900x. The vrms and stuff would prob melt on a cheapo board. I had a bit of trouble but of course NOW supply is looking quite a bit better then when i purchased.

I can see why people chase clocks as well but i wouldn't mind seeing a new market offering both options. I would prob opt for the "efficient" cheap non k 4.2ghz chip as honestly these clocks provides all i need so far. Its been me lacking threads that has hurt over clocks. They can still offer the more expensive behemoth full clocked k stuff if you insist on your tower doubling up as a space heater. The non k efficient chip could include a GOOD stock cooler, the k opts out.
 
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piokos

Senior member
Nov 2, 2018
554
206
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It's not great considering the 16-core 3950x in 65w eco-mode will deliver those kind of all-core clocks with better IPC.
I'm not entirely sure why you bring 3950X into this.
Anyway, I can't find any consistent and credible eco mode results for 3950X, so I can't comment on that. It would be great if you can provide something.

The reality is that we have the 12-core 3900 PRO and - limited to 65W - it runs at 3.1GHz (all-core).
So yeah, I guess 3950X should be able to do 2.6-2.8GHz with that power budget. But it's a low-supply, halo product costing nearly twice as much as a 10900...
And I really doubt people buy a 3950X with a plan to run it at 65W, whereas the 10-core 65W i9 will probably be relatively common.
... so someone is going to buy a 10c part for general computing and web browsing? The whole point of high-core-count parts is to be able to utilize them. With a 65w power budget, there are many better options from AMD.
People are using 8-core i9-9900 for general computing (be it home or business use), so why wouldn't they buy a 10-core successor (for the same money)?
 

Markfw

Moderator Emeritus, Elite Member
May 16, 2002
27,061
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I'm not entirely sure why you bring 3950X into this.
Anyway, I can't find any consistent and credible eco mode results for 3950X, so I can't comment on that. It would be great if you can provide something.

The reality is that we have the 12-core 3900 PRO and - limited to 65W - it runs at 3.1GHz (all-core).
So yeah, I guess 3950X should be able to do 2.6-2.8GHz with that power budget. But it's a low-supply, halo product costing nearly twice as much as a 10900...
And I really doubt people buy a 3950X with a plan to run it at 65W, whereas the 10-core 65W i9 will probably be relatively common.

People are using 8-core i9-9900 for general computing (be it home or business use), so why wouldn't they buy a 10-core successor (for the same money)?
People might use it for that at times, but you don't pony up that kind of money unless you want multi core real power for encoding, or premium gaming. If ALL you did was general computing, a 9400 or 1600 or something low end would be fine.
 

mopardude87

Diamond Member
Oct 22, 2018
3,348
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People are using 8-core i9-9900 for general computing (be it home or business use), so why wouldn't they buy a 10-core successor (for the same money)?

Anyone can buy whatever they want, its free will but i have found a i5 2500k at stock is still more then enough with a ssd for basic usage. My friend been happy with that thing since i gave her it in 2012. I had to almost beg her to accept the 7700k when my 3990x arrives. I guess with her gamer box the 1050 ti is more of a bottleneck but not for long when she gets my 1080ti when i get Ampere. The 2500k going to replace a i3 2100 htpc.

The saying" a fool and his money is soon parted" applies to anyone who buys a 9900k just to browse, its such a epic waste of energy and resources. By the time a desktop demands 16 threads for a basic browser box modern processors at that time will make the 9900k look like a pentium d. I can't fathom why anyone would pick a 9900k for a browser box.
 

piokos

Senior member
Nov 2, 2018
554
206
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The saying" a fool and his money is soon parted" applies to anyone who buys a 9900k just to browse, its such a epic waste of energy and resources. By the time a desktop demands 16 threads for a basic browser box modern processors at that time will make the 9900k look like a pentium d. I can't fathom why anyone would pick a 9900k for a browser box.
I'm talking about 9900, not 9900K. And it's a common option in OEM PCs.
Does it make a lot of sense? Probably not. Most people will be fine with the 9700. 9900 won't be much faster (especially when limited to PL1). But if someone is willing to spend, why not?
You won't honestly tell me that splurging extra $100 on a 9900 (vs 9700) makes less sense than on RGB LEDs or premium cases with Windows. And we won't run around forums and call people fools. People have excess cash and are allowed to waste it however they want.

Also, I made a mistake by saying "(browsing web etc)".
General everyday computing isn't just browsing web. People do some CPU-heavy stuff as well: they edit photos/videos, they use PCs for their study or work-related education. And they play games, obviously. Many will utilize a 9700 or 9900 right from the start. Many won't. But given that "normal" users replace PCs every 4-5 years, getting 8 cores with high 1-core boost - even underutilized today - will probably save them money in long term.
 

piokos

Senior member
Nov 2, 2018
554
206
86
People might use it for that at times, but you don't pony up that kind of money unless you want multi core real power for encoding, or premium gaming. If ALL you did was general computing, a 9400 or 1600 or something low end would be fine.
And for how long will that 9400 or 1600 last? How slow will it be in 2024?

Most people use their OEM desktop PC for as long as it's responsive (e.g. not irritating in daily tasks). This experience is driven by the single-core performance, not by number of cores.
So the goal is not to buy something that's barely sufficient today, but to buy something that has a chance of matching mainstream CPUs few years later.
And spending $100-200 more on a CPU and replacing every 5 years is cheaper than replacing every 3 years and buying the whole desktop (again: I'm talking about people buying from OEMs, not DIY upgrading). And even after 5 years you can still give that CPU to someone will smaller needs.

And of course the same is true for business PCs (where vast majority of these non-K i7/i9 are headed). A desktop will be used for as long as it can be utilized in a company.
So today you buy that 8-core i7 for a developer, a financial analyst, a photo editor etc. They may need an upgrade 3 years from now, but that PC will still be perfectly fine for trainees, for someone in accounting or legal - for less CPU intensive tasks.
 

ondma

Diamond Member
Mar 18, 2018
3,266
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Anyone can buy whatever they want, its free will but i have found a i5 2500k at stock is still more then enough with a ssd for basic usage. My friend been happy with that thing since i gave her it in 2012. I had to almost beg her to accept the 7700k when my 3990x arrives. I guess with her gamer box the 1050 ti is more of a bottleneck but not for long when she gets my 1080ti when i get Ampere. The 2500k going to replace a i3 2100 htpc.

The saying" a fool and his money is soon parted" applies to anyone who buys a 9900k just to browse, its such a epic waste of energy and resources. By the time a desktop demands 16 threads for a basic browser box modern processors at that time will make the 9900k look like a pentium d. I can't fathom why anyone would pick a 9900k for a browser box.
It is a waste of money, but power, not so much. Granted you dont need a 9900k for browsing, but in light use, it will not use that much power either. If you are talking about the resources for manufacturing the cpu, you could say the same for any AMD cpu above 6 cores as well.
 
Apr 30, 2020
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I'm not entirely sure why you bring 3950X into this.
Anyway, I can't find any consistent and credible eco mode results for 3950X, so I can't comment on that. It would be great if you can provide something.
Your argument was that the i9-9900 managing 10c at 2.8 GHz "wasn't that bad". It is that bad. The competition has 16c products able to run within the same power budget at the same clock speeds with better IPC, and 12c products that can run at significantly higher speeds with better IPC. Even look at the 8c parts. Intel's 65w 8c parts have a 2.9GHz base clock. AMD's 8c 65w part has a 3.6Ghz clock. Stock-for-stock, the 3700X will deliver significantly higher sustained throughput with the factory HSF.
People are using 8-core i9-9900 for general computing (be it home or business use), so why wouldn't they buy a 10-core successor (for the same money)?
I never said you CAN'T use those chips for general computing, but they are a waste. Most people don't buy 8-core i9 CPUs solely for web browsing. They'll get mainstream i5 and i7 parts.

The only thing Intel has going for them right now is a very marginal lead on single threaded performance. Yeah, they can be competitive on MT performance, albeit with twice the power. At this point the only thing Intel can really do if they want to be competitive is start a price war.
 
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mopardude87

Diamond Member
Oct 22, 2018
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It is a waste of money, but power, not so much. Granted you dont need a 9900k for browsing, but in light use, it will not use that much power either. If you are talking about the resources for manufacturing the cpu, you could say the same for any AMD cpu above 6 cores as well.

What i meant is that you got 16 threads and its just being not used AT all hardly. Its like driving a track 1968 dart with a hemi to the grocery store. You open those up on the quarter mile as you would open up a 9900/9900k. One could argue that yeah sure its gonna last a while but so can the competitions cheaper 16 thread options. If they bought the 9900 before that option well i got nothing else to say but to enjoy 10 years of usage at the very least. Comet is offering cheaper 16 thread alternatives now, when you can buy these idk but the 9900k will be old news VERY soon.

I sorta picked my 3900x on the idea of it lasting years, most upgrades been very small increments and usually its been threading that has always caused me issues over anything else. I will be putting the 3900x to work as a folder/gamer. Maybe i could do both when i slap in a second gpu? I sorta am doing it atm on my HD630/1080TI config.

Anything with 16 threads should last 10 years, at least being awesome at first then over time being passed around some friends and family perhaps like i always do with my upgrades. Will certainly be outdated but 16 threads and 16gb of ram is gonna be all you prob will ever need for a browser/htpc box.
 

Markfw

Moderator Emeritus, Elite Member
May 16, 2002
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And for how long will that 9400 or 1600 last? How slow will it be in 2024?

Most people use their OEM desktop PC for as long as it's responsive (e.g. not irritating in daily tasks). This experience is driven by the single-core performance, not by number of cores.
So the goal is not to buy something that's barely sufficient today, but to buy something that has a chance of matching mainstream CPUs few years later.
And spending $100-200 more on a CPU and replacing every 5 years is cheaper than replacing every 3 years and buying the whole desktop (again: I'm talking about people buying from OEMs, not DIY upgrading). And even after 5 years you can still give that CPU to someone will smaller needs.

And of course the same is true for business PCs (where vast majority of these non-K i7/i9 are headed). A desktop will be used for as long as it can be utilized in a company.
So today you buy that 8-core i7 for a developer, a financial analyst, a photo editor etc. They may need an upgrade 3 years from now, but that PC will still be perfectly fine for trainees, for someone in accounting or legal - for less CPU intensive tasks.
Single-core performance is getting less useful every day. I was trying to give an example, but if someone wanted a PC that lasted longer, a 3700x (middle of the road) should last more than 4 years and be responsive. The NVME SSD with its PCIE 4.0 performance is WAY faster than a regular SSD. A middle of the road CPU and a good NVME drive will last a very long time. I can't foresee much past 5 years or so, but you don't need a 9900 to last 5 years for the tasks you mention.
 
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gdansk

Diamond Member
Feb 8, 2011
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You can always limit an Intel CPU to PL1 (TDP). The CPU will hover 1-2W under the TDP (just like server CPUs do).

Intel made some mistakes and they deserve criticism. They also lag in node density, which means the power consumption figures aren't great compared to TSMC/AMD.
But it's really weird that people attack the boost mechanism. It's a great idea and was such a huge improvement, basically making OC obsolete for most PC users.
Yes, it's hugely inefficient. It should be. Otherwise the "boosted" state would be the default one.
I agree with your general sentiment but no one is going to benchmark these Intel CPUs at PL1. They will be limited to around that for OEM machines because of lackluster cooling. People will see these benchmarks and buy Intel equipped PCs from Dell and so on thinking they'll be getting much better performance than is really possible. An R9 3900(X) would do much better in the same thermal situation but won't look as great in benchmarks.
 
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Ajay

Lifer
Jan 8, 2001
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Single-core performance is getting less useful every day. I was trying to give an example, but if someone wanted a PC that lasted longer, a 3700x (middle of the road) should last more than 4 years and be responsive. The NVME SSD with its PCIE 4.0 performance is WAY faster than a regular SSD. A middle of the road CPU and a good NVME drive will last a very long time. I can't foresee much past 5 years or so, but you don't need a 9900 to last 5 years for the tasks you mention.
Disagree. Single core performance will always matter, even in servers. There are always serial tasks that cannot be decomposed to run in more than one thread and will bottleneck the system. I haven't seen a game yet that doesn't peg out one core at 100% (rendering task?).
 

AtenRa

Lifer
Feb 2, 2009
14,003
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I agree with your general sentiment but no one is going to benchmark these Intel CPUs at PL1. They will be limited to around that for OEM machines because of lackluster cooling. People will see these benchmarks and buy Intel equipped PCs from Dell and so on thinking they'll be getting much better performance than is really possible. An R9 3900(X) would do much better in the same thermal situation but won't look as great in benchmarks.

Most of the time the OEM heat-sinks are way better than those coming with the Intel CPU box
 

Markfw

Moderator Emeritus, Elite Member
May 16, 2002
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Disagree. Single core performance will always matter, even in servers. There are always serial tasks that cannot be decomposed to run in more than one thread and will bottleneck the system. I haven't seen a game yet that doesn't peg out one core at 100% (rendering task?).
I think I either said it wrong, or you misunderstood. Yes, single core performance matters, and its always getting better. But in relation to multi-core, that is becoming MORE useful at a faster rate, and the need for it, and the actual hardware is stepping up multi-core performance quicker than single core.

So, in regards to Comet lake, its single core is most likely not much faster than 9900k and its multi-core compared to its competition is falling behind faster. Also, its thermal envelope is getting worse at a higher rate than before, and FAR behind its competition. Thus, I think its a horrible release. Its a joke IMO.
 
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