Intel Core i9-10980XE CPU / MSI X299 Creator Motherboard
2019Type
Processor / MotherboardPrice
$979 US / $539 USIntel X299 HEDT Chipset - Still Intel's Top HEDT Solution
The Intel X299 continues as the chipset of choice for Intel's enthusiast platform. The Intel X299 platform has continued for 3 good years and now enters its fourth. The X299 platform has seen many launches, the first-gen existed of the Skylake-X and Kaby Lake-X lineup with the latter being discontinued last year. The second-gen saw the release of Skylake-X refresh and this year, we are getting the Cascade Lake design for X299.
Intel X299 PCH Features
Intel’s new X299 chipset supports all LGA 2066 socketed Core-X processors. The X299 platform will be centered around the LGA 2066 socket which will be compatible with at least three generations of processors. In specs, the X299 chipset offers up to 24 PCIe Gen 3.0 lanes. The chip also offers up to quad-channel memory with speeds up to DDR4-2933 MHz (native).
Intel X299 has full support for CPU overclocking which is a bonus. While that's a plus, independent testings performed prior to our review revealed that the chips don't feature in chip soldering and use the thermal paste as a layer that connects the die with the heat spreader. This may result in higher temperatures but we have to find that our in our own tests.
The Basin Falls PCH also offers a maximum of 14 USB ports (10 USB 3.0 Max), 8 SATA 3.0, and Intel LAN (Jacksonville PHY) controllers. The chipset can also drive three M.2 drives with Intel RST tech. Additional features include Enhanced SPI, SPI, LPC, SMBus and HD audio which are integrated underneath its hood.
Intel X299 Chipset Features:
| Chipset | Intel X79 “Patsburg” | Intel X99 “Wellsburg” | Intel X299 "Basin Falls" With KBL-X | Intel X299 "Basin Falls" With SKL-X |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SKU Focus Segment | Enthusiast Desktop | Enthusiast Desktop | Enthusiast Desktop | Enthusiast Desktop |
| CPU Support | Sandy Bridge-E / Ivy Bridge-E | Haswell-E / Broadwell-E | Kaby Lake-X | Skylake-X / Cascade Lake-X |
| CPU Core Options | 4, 6 | 6, 8, 10 | 4 | 6, 8, 10, 12, 14,16, 18 |
| Max Chipset PCI-E Lanes | 8 | 8 | 24 | 24 |
| Max CPU PCI-E Lanes | Up To 40 | Up To 40 | Up To 16 | Up To 44 |
| Memory Type | DDR3 | DDR4 | DDR4 | DDR4 |
| Memory DIMMs | Quad Channel (8) | Quad Channel (8) | Dual Channel (4) | Quad Channel (8) |
| Overclocking | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Intel Turbo Boost 2.0 Support | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Intel Turbo Boost Max 3.0 Support | No | No | No | Yes |
| Intel Optane Technology | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Intel Rapid Storage Technology | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Intel Rapid Storage Technology For PCIe Storage Drive Support | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| RAID 0,1,5,10 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Intel Smart Response Technology | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Integrated LAN | Yes | 1 GbE | Integrated MAC | Integrated MAC |
| Total USB Ports (Max USB 3.0) | N/A | 6 | 10 | 10 |
| Total USB Ports (Max USB 2.0) | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 |
| Max SATA 6 Gbps Ports | 6 (2 Rated at Full 6 Gbps) | 10 | 8 | 8 |
| TDP | 7.8W | 6.5W | 6.0W | 6.0W |
Intel LGA 2066 Socket - Now With Cascade Lake-X Support
Since nothing on the platform has changed, the LGA 2066 also continues on as the socket of choice for Intel's HEDT platform. All Core-X processors are compatible with the LGA 2066 socket but some motherboard makers have only listed support for 9th and 10th Gen Core-X processors due to BIOS limitations on certain motherboards.
The LGA 2066 socket features 2066 pins which support Cascade Lake-X and Skylake-X CPUs but doesn't allow compatibility with Intel Xeon processors. The Intel Xeon class processors that are part of the Skylake-SP family will be featured on the much different LGA 3647 socket which is huge compared to LGA 2066.
Cooler Compatibility With LGA 2066 Socket
The socket hasn't changed so you won't have any trouble with compatibility on the new boards. Even older LGA 2011 socket retention brackets are compatible with LGA 2066 so you are pretty much good with any cooler you bought in the last 5 years or so.
As for a cooler recommendation, I would personally advise users to go for a liquid cooling option since the Core-X processors are heat spitting monsters at full load. You need good cooling to hit good temperatures.
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About the author: A Software Engineer by training and a PC enthusiast by passion, Hassan Mujtaba serves as Wccftech's Senior Editor for hardware section. With years of experience in the industry, he specializes in deep-dive technical analysis of next-generation CPU and GPU architectures, motherboards, and cooling solutions. His work involves not only breaking news on upcoming technologies but also extensive hands-on reviews and benchmarking.
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