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i9 7900X and SGX Support

DGlee1
Beginner
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Could someone please clarify for me if the new i9-7900X processor has support for SGX? I've done the initial googling and am really in need of definite confirmation.

I've purchased the processor and a swathe of upgrades with the hope of being able to play Ultra HD movies on my Desktop.

Have I wasted the money put in? If I were to look at a processor to accomplish this which one would the community recommend?

Thanks,

Daniel

5 Replies
n_scott_pearson
Super User
1,593 Views

Intel® SGX was first introduced in the 6th generation Intel Core™ processors based on the Skylake architecture. The Intel Core™ i9-7900X processor is a 6th generation Intel Core™ processor based on the Skylake architecture. I would conclude from this that this processor does indeed have support for Intel® SGX.

Hope this helps,

...S

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JColl7
Beginner
1,593 Views

Hi daniel-g,

I recently purchased an Intel Core i9 7980XE and from the best that I can understand this CPU does not have the SGX capability (like yours, it is a SkyLake-X). From the attached screenshot, the 64 bit version of the HWInfo 5.84 utility shows the chip without SGX (note the word SGX is grayed out):

It is also important to understand that your motherboard must support SGX (namely that the settings to enable it must present in it's BIOS and enabled (link below)). Finally you must install the Intel SGX driver from Microsoft or Intel (links below). For the Intel driver; you need to install the Intel SGX base driver and the Intel PSW Driver.

https://www.tenforums.com/antivirus-firewalls-system-security/101389-sgx-setting-choose-bios.html Windows 10 Help Forums

https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/27572/Intel-Software-Guard-Extensions-Intel-SGX-Driver-for-Windows- Download Intel® Software Guard Extensions (Intel® SGX) Driver for Windows*

https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=software+guard+extension Microsoft Update Catalog

I have run the CyberLink UltraHD Blu Ray assessment tool and my X299 system fails the assessment due to no SGX support (for the CPU or motherboard). My new €6,000 system cannot play the UltraHD Blu Rays I own which is ridiculous but it appears I should have chosen a more workstation focused motherboard rather than the gaming motherboard to have this SGX support built in. No motherboard manufacturer is going to clearly advertise no SGX support for a specific board so please research carefully and choose a board that does. Don't make my mistake. SGX is being pitched at code developers and 3D rendering applications rather than more mainstream users.

I really don't mind that such DRM exists but it's very frustrating that SGX support is so hit and miss and not explained properly. Why niche motherboards support it and more powerful gaming motherboards don't is beyond me. Are gamers not supposed to watch UltraHD too? I will ignore any post/reply that begins to question the funds invested in my system; that is beside the point.

I hope this helps. Thank you.

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idata
Employee
1,593 Views

Hello all,

 

 

Thank you for joining the community.

 

 

Allow me to share with you that using https://ark.intel.com/ https://ark.intel.com/ you can use the advanced search option to find processors features, you can follow the following steps:

 

 

Go to ark, click on Advanced Search. Select Processors; choose Intel(R) Software Guard Extensions (Intel(R) SGX) from "Choose Filter", then select "Yes" from the drop box menu on the right.

 

 

You can refer to the following link for the processors with Intel® software guard extensions (Intel® SGX):

 

 

https://ark.intel.com/Search/FeatureFilter?productType=processors&SoftwareGuardExtensions=true https://ark.intel.com/Search/FeatureFilter?productType=processors&SoftwareGuardExtensions=true

 

 

Also, based on the search provided the processors Intel® Core™ i9-7900X and Intel® Core™ i9 7980XE do not include this feature.

 

 

Hope this helps.

 

 

Regards,

 

Leonardo C.

 

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JColl7
Beginner
1,593 Views

Hello Leonardo,

Many thanks for your response and clarification.

From the link you kindly provided I feel I will purchase the Intel® Core™ i7-8086K and use it within another system alongside my Core i9 7980XE. Thanks for clarifying my options. Have a great day

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idata
Employee
1,593 Views

Hello HZ631

 

 

Thank you for your response. I am glad to know that the information was helpful for you.

 

 

Regards,

 

Leonardo C.

 

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