I7 2600K vs 2x QUAD XEON E5335

[celth]

Hey guys,

I'm setting up a rendering calculation platform and I need your help.
My software uses only cpu for rendering so it's the crucial thing (and ram) for my setup.

At first i thought about buying one new computer with about that specs:

i7 2600K @4-4,5GHz,
16GB ram,
integrated HD3000

that would cost ~1000 $

but for the same price i could buy 4 second hand following setups:

2 X XEON QUAD E5335
4 GB DDR2 ECC
80GB SATA
MB INTEL P35 B4 RDW9
some also integrated GPU

how would you compare this performance wise?

I also need also consider that i have only 5 node licences for my software
and it would be easier to have one computer and add next ones if necessary,
than selling one buing another
not to mention power consumption

What do you think?

 

[ilysaml]

The i7 2600k is a better choice. However, If your primary usage for this system is 3D modeling, an Intel Xeon E3-based workstation with the Xeon E3-1270 will suit your needs. Intel Xeon-based systems also support Error Correcting Code (ECC) memory that delivers enhanced reliability by automatically detecting and correcting memory errors.

Regarding the i7 2600K vs Xeon E5335, the i7 is superior.
http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Xeon+E5335+%40+2.00GHz

 

[celth]

Thank you for your reply ilysaml. However this benchmark is the correct one (dual-cpu)
http://cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=%5BDual+CPU%5D+Intel+Xeon+E5335+%40+2.00GHz.

I think it's still worth concidering since i get a little over half of performance for ~1/4 price (260 USD).

 

[amuffin]

I'd either get one entire Xeon system, or a Sandybridge-E setup.

 

[ilysaml]

Thank you for your reply ilysaml. However this benchmark is the correct one (dual-cpu)
http://cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=%5BDual+CPU%5D+Intel+Xeon+E5335+%40+2.00GHz.

I think it's still worth concidering since i get a little over half of performance for ~1/4 price (260 USD).

I still see the i7 2600K is superior for your needs. If you're limited by budget then go for the Xeon.

 

[hunter315]

If i read the OP correctly you are saying you could get four of the second system for the same price as one of the first? I would expect a dual E5335 system to get beat out by a 2600k but not by a ton, however if you can get four of them and are able to spread your workload among them then that would definitely be the best choice for raw performance.

Power usage though will be rather significant, each E5335 has a TDP of 80W so under full load each of those systems would pull around 200W for 800W total, the 2600k system would likely pull around 350 W with an OC like that. Thats a difference of 3.94 MWh over the course of a year for 24/7/365 operation at full load, and at $0.10/kWh that is a $394 difference so it might be worth doing the 2600k system in the long run even if it takes a fair bit longer.