What's the differance?

[markvan1]

I am looking at building a new system,

First on my list is the CPU, but do not know any of the technicality's of modern computers. I'm going in blind.

I need a powerfull system, the software I am running recommends a workstation class system.

I am looking a putting a Xeon as the cpu, What is the differance between these two as described:



Intel Xeon X3350 Quad Core Socket LGA775 2.66Ghz (1333Mhz) 12MB Cache (BX80569X3350) $474.99

Intel Quad-Core Xeon E5440 Socket LGA771 2.4Ghz (1333Mhz) 12MB Cache (BX80574E5440A) $887.99

Is the socket of the 2nd CPU better? Is a xeon x3350 a slower version that the E5440?


What particulars should I be looking for? Like I said, I really have no idea about how any of the new technology works or what most of it means.

Thanks.

 

[GhislainG]

A Xeon X3350 and a Q9450 are basically the same. You can find desktop motherbaords that will run a Xeon X3350, but that doesn't necessarily make a workstation class system.

The Xeon E5440 requires a server motherboard and since you normally install 2 of those, they will provide more processing power than a single X3350. Search for FB-DIMM on Newegg.com and you'll find several server/workstation motherboards with Dual LGA 771 like this one : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813121330. With 2 Xeon E5440, 16 GB of FB-DIMM and a high-end video card, you can build a fast and relatively expensive workstation.

 

[markvan1]

Thanks,

Would the xeon x3350 in a desktop mother board be faster than a Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770 on the same board?

I am not sure how a xeon compares to the Extreme CPUs....
Is a xeon always faster than the extreme? or are Extreme CPU's now getting to be faster than the Xeons?

 

[GhislainG]

Certainly not, but they're not in the same price range either. Why not consider an i7 over the very expensive QX9770? It often is as fast or faster than the QX9770 for a lot less money and the X58 platform is more future proof. Look at benchmarks that best match what you'll be using the system for and then select the CPU that best meets your requirements and budget: http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/desktop-cpu-charts-q3-2008/benchmarks,31.html