Based on what they saw when benchmarking the chip, Hexus concludes there's still quite a bit of work to be done to get the platform ready. Further software optimizations are needed as there are sometimes unexplainable performance irregularities, which are unlikely to be solved in time for launch as the platform ships next week.
But overall, if the $999 price tag isn't a deal-breaker for you, the Core i9-7900X offers very high single-threaded performance, great multi-core potential and plenty of overclocking headroom:
Plenty of reason for discord among enthusiast users, yet look past the confusion and you may see cause for optimism. The world's first Core i9 processor, the 7900X, is ultimately a 10-core powerhouse offering excellent IPC performance and outstanding multi-core prowess in a single $999 chip armed with plenty of overclocking headroom. Said ingredients make it an automatic choice for power users seeking the ultimate PC experience, and the chip's benchmarking potential makes for a fitting debut of the Core i9 brand.Here's an example of a test where the 7900X really shines:
Bottom line: the price tag remains a stumbling block and software optimisations are needed, but anyone willing to splash a thousand bucks on a new CPU need look no further than the Intel Core i9-7900X. Over to you, Threadripper.