processor question

[padhia]

i am looking to buy a new computer, most likely a dell precision workstation. can anyone tell me why the model with the core 2 duo processor is cheaper and marked as 'slower' than the models that come with, Dual Core Intel Xeon Processors, 5110 1.60GHz, for example? don't want to make a mistake....

[AJLynn]

A Core2 Duo and a Xeon 51xx with the same clock speed are approximately the same speed, but the Core can only be used in a single CPU, dual core configuration, while the Xeon can be dual CPU, dual core. The Xeon chips, the motherboards that use them and the RAM for them are all more expensive.

[Lester_Masterson]

I've used a Dual Xeon 2.4Ghz since 2003, and just bought a 6700 Series.

 

Pros

- Quiet. I can't even hear it when its on (paired with an ATI 1800GTO)

- Fast. Almost 2x the speed of the Dual Xeon

- Price. MB and CPU cost 1/4 the Xeon (and I didn't buy the Xeon when they first hit the shelves)

- MB. is upgradeable for Quad Core (when the price comes down)

 

Cons

- Single Processor. Bogs down a bit when solving using VRay. But doesn't everything

- Fast. Now I get pissed when the other machines are slow to keep up

 

Hope I didn't muddy the water too much

[AJLynn]

Keep in mind that a 2003 Xeon 2.4 is based on the Netburst architecture. A 5100 series Xeon uses the Core2 architecture and is a dual-core chip to boot. A single core of a 2.4GHz Core2-type chip is almost as fast as a 4.8GHz Netburst (e.g. P4 and older Xeons) would be if there were such a thing. A dual core give you two of those, so a Core2 Duo 2.4GHz computer would be twice as fast as a dual Xeon 2.4GHz made in 2003, and a dual Xeon 5100 series 2.4GHz would be twice as fast as the Core2 Duo.

 

It's pretty cool, what Intel can do these days.

[Greg Hess]

For those looking for the "ultimate" bang for the buck...wait till jan. That's when the E4300's come out.

 

1.8GHz, 9X multiplier running at 200MHz FSB.

 

This type of processor is usually the best overclocking chip on the market. 300A Celeron anyone?

 

March is when the video card competition heats up...and the longer you wait, the more quad cores come out....until the octals arrive. Weeeee. I think its time to go to siggraph again.