09-16-2020, 08:04 PM
When it comes to multi-threaded video editing, you really want to look at how processors handle heavy workloads simultaneously. I’ve had my hands on both Intel’s Core i9-9980XE and AMD’s Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX, and I can share some real insights based on experience that’ll help us compare these powerhouses.
First off, the Core i9-9980XE belongs to Intel's Skylake-X architecture. It comes with 18 cores and 36 threads. This means it's designed to handle a lot of tasks at once. You notice that when it comes to rendering or exporting high-resolution video. The Turbo Boost frequency peaks at 4.5 GHz, which might sound like a lot, but the boost mainly impacts single-core performance. For video editing, this can be crucial for tasks that still rely on single-threaded performance, like applying effects or rendering previews in certain software.
On the flip side, the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX offers a whopping 32 cores and 64 threads. You’d think that would make it the obvious choice for multi-threaded tasks, right? In theory, yes, it should absolutely crush the i9-9980XE when it comes down to raw multi-threaded workloads. I’ve seen it handle a long video render in Adobe Premiere Pro with a level of responsiveness that’s quite astonishing. The 2990WX shines when you push it with tasks that can utilize those many cores effectively.
Now, let's talk specific performance. In practical scenarios, if you’re working on a complex timeline with multiple layers of video and effects, you’ll definitely feel the strain on the system. When I used both CPUs for a project that involved exporting a 4K video with heavy color grading and lots of transitions, the Threadripper handled it like a champ. Using Premiere, I noticed that rendering times were significantly shorter compared to the i9-9980XE. With the Threadripper, it’s not just about speed; it’s also about multitasking. I could start another rendering job while playing back footage in real time without hiccups. That’s the kind of workflow freedom we all crave in video editing.
Furthermore, what really impressed me with the 2990WX are its additional features that cater specifically to heavy workloads. With the Threadripper being part of the TR4 platform, it allows for massive amounts of RAM. I mean, we’re talking about configurations that can go up to 256GB or more. In video editing, having that extra bandwidth means you can work on larger projects without running into memory bottlenecks, which is a common pain point during intensive editing sessions.
Switching over to the i9-9980XE, yes, it does have support for quad-channel memory, which helps, but in scenarios where you're pushing your edits with significant layers and lots of effects, you'll find yourself limited, especially when comparing it to what the Threadripper can manage. If you ever hit a point where you're importing high-res 8K footage or anything that doubles down on memory usage, you might find the i9 a bit more sluggish than you might prefer.
Let’s not forget about the thermal performance as well. The i9-9980XE can get pretty toasty under load. I mean, you definitely have to keep an eye on those temperatures, especially if you're running heavy projects for extended periods. Using a high-end cooling solution is essential for the Intel chip, or else throttling might kick in, affecting performance. On the other hand, the Threadripper has shown to handle thermal management reasonably well. It tends to sustain high performance even under heavy load without the same degree of temperature-related issues.
When I look at power consumption, it’s another area where they diverge a bit. The i9-9980XE has a TDP of 165 watts, while the Threadripper clocks in at 250 watts. For extensive video editing sessions, that extra power draw might cause you to think about your electrical costs. I mean, if you're editing all day, every day, you will notice the difference on your electric bill over time. If you're more into keeping that power consumption lower, the i9 might seem more appealing.
You might also wonder about pricing and value. Depending on where you look, the i9-9980XE often comes down a bit cheaper than the Threadripper 2990WX. If you're just starting out and don’t necessarily need those 32 cores, you might find that the Core i9 serves you well for less money. But if you're diving into bigger projects or you plan to get into high-level production work, the additional investment in a Threadripper makes sense long-term. It pays off in efficiency rather than sheer numbers.
So, what about software compatibility? That’s another thing to keep in mind. Some applications are optimized differently for Intel versus AMD architecture. However, most modern video editing software has evolved significantly, accommodating both platforms well. That said, if you have a preference for specific plug-ins or tools, it might be worth diving into their performance on one platform or the other. For instance, if you're heavy into DaVinci Resolve, the difference can be more subtle, while Adobe products seem to lean more favorably towards core counts.
In terms of overall system build, let’s chat about upgrading. If I had to choose between these two for a building project, I’d lean towards the Threadripper, especially for future-proofing. Upgrading RAM is straightforward since you’re more likely to tap into high-capacity kits with the Threadripper setup. I like to think about how the platform might age; as newer software demands more power, having that extra headroom definitely pays off.
But don't forget, personal use case matters. If you’re a seasoned video editor handling major projects with strict deadlines, the Threadripper gives you the upper hand with its multi-core processing. However, if you focus instead on casual editing or your projects are not as taxing, you might find the i9-9980XE adequate for your needs, and it's still a capable chip.
At the end of the day, the comparison boils down to your specific requirements and workload. I encourage you to consider what tasks you perform most often. If you see yourself handling heavy multi-threaded tasks more frequently, the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX could easily save you time and frustration in the editing room. If your editing is lighter and you want a more cost-effective CPU that still performs well, the i9-9980XE won’t let you down.
It's definitely exciting to see how both brands cater to the high-performance sector and adjust their architectures and features over time. As each generation comes out, it feels like there's always something new to grasp. It's a thrilling time to be in the tech space, especially when it comes to creative work. You just need to weigh what you prioritize in your editing workflow, and these chips can certainly help you out in achieving your editing dreams.
First off, the Core i9-9980XE belongs to Intel's Skylake-X architecture. It comes with 18 cores and 36 threads. This means it's designed to handle a lot of tasks at once. You notice that when it comes to rendering or exporting high-resolution video. The Turbo Boost frequency peaks at 4.5 GHz, which might sound like a lot, but the boost mainly impacts single-core performance. For video editing, this can be crucial for tasks that still rely on single-threaded performance, like applying effects or rendering previews in certain software.
On the flip side, the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX offers a whopping 32 cores and 64 threads. You’d think that would make it the obvious choice for multi-threaded tasks, right? In theory, yes, it should absolutely crush the i9-9980XE when it comes down to raw multi-threaded workloads. I’ve seen it handle a long video render in Adobe Premiere Pro with a level of responsiveness that’s quite astonishing. The 2990WX shines when you push it with tasks that can utilize those many cores effectively.
Now, let's talk specific performance. In practical scenarios, if you’re working on a complex timeline with multiple layers of video and effects, you’ll definitely feel the strain on the system. When I used both CPUs for a project that involved exporting a 4K video with heavy color grading and lots of transitions, the Threadripper handled it like a champ. Using Premiere, I noticed that rendering times were significantly shorter compared to the i9-9980XE. With the Threadripper, it’s not just about speed; it’s also about multitasking. I could start another rendering job while playing back footage in real time without hiccups. That’s the kind of workflow freedom we all crave in video editing.
Furthermore, what really impressed me with the 2990WX are its additional features that cater specifically to heavy workloads. With the Threadripper being part of the TR4 platform, it allows for massive amounts of RAM. I mean, we’re talking about configurations that can go up to 256GB or more. In video editing, having that extra bandwidth means you can work on larger projects without running into memory bottlenecks, which is a common pain point during intensive editing sessions.
Switching over to the i9-9980XE, yes, it does have support for quad-channel memory, which helps, but in scenarios where you're pushing your edits with significant layers and lots of effects, you'll find yourself limited, especially when comparing it to what the Threadripper can manage. If you ever hit a point where you're importing high-res 8K footage or anything that doubles down on memory usage, you might find the i9 a bit more sluggish than you might prefer.
Let’s not forget about the thermal performance as well. The i9-9980XE can get pretty toasty under load. I mean, you definitely have to keep an eye on those temperatures, especially if you're running heavy projects for extended periods. Using a high-end cooling solution is essential for the Intel chip, or else throttling might kick in, affecting performance. On the other hand, the Threadripper has shown to handle thermal management reasonably well. It tends to sustain high performance even under heavy load without the same degree of temperature-related issues.
When I look at power consumption, it’s another area where they diverge a bit. The i9-9980XE has a TDP of 165 watts, while the Threadripper clocks in at 250 watts. For extensive video editing sessions, that extra power draw might cause you to think about your electrical costs. I mean, if you're editing all day, every day, you will notice the difference on your electric bill over time. If you're more into keeping that power consumption lower, the i9 might seem more appealing.
You might also wonder about pricing and value. Depending on where you look, the i9-9980XE often comes down a bit cheaper than the Threadripper 2990WX. If you're just starting out and don’t necessarily need those 32 cores, you might find that the Core i9 serves you well for less money. But if you're diving into bigger projects or you plan to get into high-level production work, the additional investment in a Threadripper makes sense long-term. It pays off in efficiency rather than sheer numbers.
So, what about software compatibility? That’s another thing to keep in mind. Some applications are optimized differently for Intel versus AMD architecture. However, most modern video editing software has evolved significantly, accommodating both platforms well. That said, if you have a preference for specific plug-ins or tools, it might be worth diving into their performance on one platform or the other. For instance, if you're heavy into DaVinci Resolve, the difference can be more subtle, while Adobe products seem to lean more favorably towards core counts.
In terms of overall system build, let’s chat about upgrading. If I had to choose between these two for a building project, I’d lean towards the Threadripper, especially for future-proofing. Upgrading RAM is straightforward since you’re more likely to tap into high-capacity kits with the Threadripper setup. I like to think about how the platform might age; as newer software demands more power, having that extra headroom definitely pays off.
But don't forget, personal use case matters. If you’re a seasoned video editor handling major projects with strict deadlines, the Threadripper gives you the upper hand with its multi-core processing. However, if you focus instead on casual editing or your projects are not as taxing, you might find the i9-9980XE adequate for your needs, and it's still a capable chip.
At the end of the day, the comparison boils down to your specific requirements and workload. I encourage you to consider what tasks you perform most often. If you see yourself handling heavy multi-threaded tasks more frequently, the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX could easily save you time and frustration in the editing room. If your editing is lighter and you want a more cost-effective CPU that still performs well, the i9-9980XE won’t let you down.
It's definitely exciting to see how both brands cater to the high-performance sector and adjust their architectures and features over time. As each generation comes out, it feels like there's always something new to grasp. It's a thrilling time to be in the tech space, especially when it comes to creative work. You just need to weigh what you prioritize in your editing workflow, and these chips can certainly help you out in achieving your editing dreams.
