I think most parts are geared towards gaming these days. When I've needed a server, I went for multi-CPU setups with older, cheaper CPUs.
That being said, for AI, HEDT is the obvious answer. Back in the day, it was much more affordable with my 9980XE only costing $2,000.
I just built a Threadripper 9980 system with 192GB of RAM and good lord it was expensive. I will actually benefit from it though and the company paid for it.
That being said, there is a glaring gap between "consumer" hardware meant for gaming and "workstation" hardware meant for real performance.
Have you looked into a 9960 Threadripper build? The CPU isn't TOO expensive, although the memory will be. But you'll get a significantly faster and better machine than something like a 9950X.
I also think besides the new Threadripper chips, there isn't much new out this year anyways to warrant upgrading.
I have looked into the Threadripper, but just can't justify it. The tension between all the options and the cost, power usage, size (EATX) is too much, and I don't think such a system, especially with 2025 era DDR5 in the 6000mt range, will hold its value well. If I were directly earning money with it, sure, but as a hobby/augmentation to my work, I will wait out a generation or lose interest in the pursuit.
Competitors to NVidia really need to figure things out, even for gaming with AI being used more I think a high end APU would be compelling with fast shared memory.
That being said, for AI, HEDT is the obvious answer. Back in the day, it was much more affordable with my 9980XE only costing $2,000.
I just built a Threadripper 9980 system with 192GB of RAM and good lord it was expensive. I will actually benefit from it though and the company paid for it.
That being said, there is a glaring gap between "consumer" hardware meant for gaming and "workstation" hardware meant for real performance.
Have you looked into a 9960 Threadripper build? The CPU isn't TOO expensive, although the memory will be. But you'll get a significantly faster and better machine than something like a 9950X.
I also think besides the new Threadripper chips, there isn't much new out this year anyways to warrant upgrading.