The I7-7820X is the second of three new Skylake-X HEDT (high end desktop processors) released by Intel as part of their core X series (the others being the flagship 10-core i9-7900X and the 6-core i7-7800X). The 7820X is an 8-core, 16-thread CPU which will amply satisfy all but the heaviest of multi-threaded use cases. The 7820X requires a relatively expensive X299 (Basin Falls) motherboard, which costs upwards of $250. The 7820X is listed at $599 which is about $200 more than AMD's current flagship 8-core, 16 thread Ryzen 7 1800X. In addition to better IPC, the 7820X is higher clocked with base and max boost clocks of 3.6/4.5 GHz respectively, compared to 3.6G/4.0 GHz for the Ryzen 7 1800X. The additional $200 (50%) buys you around 20% more performance in both single and multi core workloads. Intel have also released several Kabylake-X HEDT CPUs: the 4-thread i5-7640X and the 8-thread i7-7740X and will shortly release of even higher spec Skylake-X processors. It's probably wise to hold off purchasing until the eagerly anticipated 16-core, 32-thread Ryzen Threadripper CPUs are launched later this month. [Jul '17CPUPro]
This was the ultimate niche CPU. At the time of its release, it had an optimal combination of multi-core performance without sacrificing as much single- and quad- as the higher-core CPUs, at an excellent price-point. It utilizes quad-channel RAM. If you were a content creator without external funding, had one machine in the budget, then this chip might even now in mid-2019 be what you're looking for.
The higher-end Threadrippers will throw more cores at you... for up to five times the price. If you've a home studio, running a DAW on the same PC you use for everything; or you do your own video editing; or you're an independent streamer; then those extra 12 or 18 cores aren't really going to help you that much anyway, for all that extra cash - AND those CPUs have lower performance in more common applications (single- low-thread apps). Not worth it. Intel isn't even on the table, of course.
If you're reading this in the future: these benchmarks have multiple categories for a reason. Read and think. Find the best combination for what you intend to do with it - not some arbitrary "the best" overall. There is no such thing, because you won't be using your computer for Overall, now will you? [Aug '19spacefiddle]
We calculate effective speed which measures real world performance for typical users. Effective speed is adjusted by current prices to yield a value for money rating. Our calculated values are checked against thousands of individual user ratings. The customizable table below combines these factors to bring you the definitive list of top CPUs. [CPUPro]
Welcome to our PC speed test tool. UserBenchmark will test your PC and compare the results to other users with the same components. You can quickly size up your PC, identify hardware problems and explore the best value for money upgrades.