Xeon vs Core - Low Level Differences

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Euroclydon37

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Looking to do a build for audio production and I was wondering what the differences were between skylake Xeons and Cores architecturally. I know Xeon supports ecc RAM, will only work on C23x chipsets, etc. But I'm really more interested in low level differences. What do Xeons do differently from the Core series that justifies classifying them as workstation processors while Core CPUs remain "consumer"?

Again looking for answers beyond motherboard compatibility, ECC support, and overclocking. Looking for differences within the processors themselves in the way that they accomplish tasks.
 
Solution
DonkeyOatie
The low-end Xeons are not architecturally different from the Cores. Some of them are made from the same silicon. (V3s) They have different parts and functions enables and disabled to get the different requirements. In part the E3 Xeons are intended to help with the yield of Core CPUs and visa versa. A 'bad' Core may be a usable Xeon, a 'bad' Xeon may be a usable Core.

Read this: http://wccftech.com/intel-skylake-xeon-e31200-v5-xeon-e31500-v5-cpu-lineup-detailed-powering-1s-workstation-platform/
and this : http://www.nextplatform.com/2015/05/26/intel-lets-slip-broadwell-skylake-xeon-chip-specs/

I'm assuming from the question that some 'equivalence' is intended, so multi-processor or and 'mega-core' solutions like the E5 and E7 are...
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DonkeyOatie

DonkeyOatie

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The low-end Xeons are not architecturally different from the Cores. Some of them are made from the same silicon. (V3s) They have different parts and functions enables and disabled to get the different requirements. In part the E3 Xeons are intended to help with the yield of Core CPUs and visa versa. A 'bad' Core may be a usable Xeon, a 'bad' Xeon may be a usable Core.

Read this: http://wccftech.com/intel-skylake-xeon-e31200-v5-xeon-e31500-v5-cpu-lineup-detailed-powering-1s-workstation-platform/
and this : http://www.nextplatform.com/2015/05/26/intel-lets-slip-broadwell-skylake-xeon-chip-specs/

I'm assuming from the question that some 'equivalence' is intended, so multi-processor or and 'mega-core' solutions like the E5 and E7 are other than your focus.
 
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Euroclydon37

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Thanks. So I can basically just do a search for enabled/disabled features and compare to the core series and that will yield the only real differences between them? Just making sure I understand. If so, then that clears things up for me.
 
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DonkeyOatie

DonkeyOatie

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You see that I use a Xeon in this system of mine.

Why do you want to know? That would help me guide you further.

Do you understand what you meant when you said 'architecture', or might you have meant something else? I don't want to seem patronizing or talk over your head. I need to know that you know :)
 
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Euroclydon37

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No offense taken! You're actually coming across helpful.

Yeah, architecture isn't the right word for what I'm asking. I'm really just wanting to know if Xeons handle tasks given to them any differently than Core series chips do. Maybe what I'm asking is more firmware related? I'm not sure. I'm still kinda new to this area, but I couldn't find specifically what makes a Xeon a workstation cpu while an i7 isn't, even though the i7 is on par performance wise with Xeon (the ones I'm looking at).

To give an analogy. Two guys are driving identical cars. But people say that one driver is better at drag racing and the other is better at circuit racing. The difference isn't the car (architecture), but the actual processes used by the drivers while they race, i.e. shifting gears at a certain rpm or something.

So far the only differences I've been able to find are external: mobo chipset requirements, features turned on or off (thanks! lol), and ECC memory support.

And finally, I just want to learn and I'm not afraid to google and study terms or concepts I don't know. So feel free to talk over my head if needed.
 
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Pinhedd

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Hi,

Xeon E3 series CPUs are physically identical to their Core-i3/Core-i5/Core-i7 (LGA-2011 series excepted) counterparts. The difference is entirely in the features that are enabled/disabled or configured differently on each device. For example, Xeon E3 series CPUs support registered memory as well as memory that features error correcting code (ECC); these features are disabled on the Core CPUs even though the hardware necessary to support it is present.

The same logic is true for the chipset itself. Same chip, different configuration. The Intel C series chipsets support a wide variety of enterprise technologies that are not supported by their consumer counterparts. The obvious one is that the consumer chipsets employ the Rapid Storage Technology ROM for the firmware based SATA controller, while the business/enterprise chipsets employ the Rapid Storage Technology Enterprise ROM for the firmware based storage controller. In fact, early Asus X79 motherboards (X79 was known for being rushed) shipped with firmware that included the RST-e ROM normally used with the C600 series chipsets. It wasn't until about two years into its lifecycle that the consumer RST ROM was included in the firmware package; at this point, users could decide which ROM they wished to use.
 
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Euroclydon37

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Exellent explanation. Thank you.
 
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