Xeon x5570 ES vs. i7 930?

[solce]

Hi,

I currently have a xeon x5570 ES processor (2.93ghz, 6.4gt/s qpi) with an asrock x58 extreme mobo. There is an issue with the xeon where I cannot overclock it properly, and the memory controller on the CPU does not allow for faster than 1066 ram speed. Although the x5570 is a better processor, would I get more performance for gaming by getting an i7 930 and overclocking it to 3.6 and being able to run 6gb of ram at 1600?

also, if I OC the 930, does the qpi increase as well (from the 4.8gt/s)?

The most I can run on the xeon is 3.35ghz at 1200 ram, but I occasionally blue screen from that. By "downgrading" to the 930, I'd earn about $100

thoughts?

 

[Lmeow]

Well, the Xeon X5570 should be better in terms of binning, but if you can't overclock it properly, then it's pointless. The i7 930 would have no problems being overclocked, and would be able to run RAM at 1600MHz. If you increase BCLK, it will increase the QPI as well. Get the Core i7 930. The point of Xeons was for stability.

 

[solce]

Well, the Xeon X5570 should be better in terms of binning, but if you can't overclock it properly, then it's pointless. The i7 930 would have no problems being overclocked, and would be able to run RAM at 1600MHz. If you increase BCLK, it will increase the QPI as well. Get the Core i7 930. The point of Xeons was for stability.

the xeon's also have 2 qpi links instead of one. probably better for rendering and all that stuff I don't actually do. Thanks for the input. If i were to get $100 or more for downgrading i think it'd be the right move

 

[solce]

how stable is the 930 at 6.4gt/s qpi?

I would really like to see a benchmark with either a xeon or a 930 running with 6gb of ddr3 1066 compared to what it would be at the same settings except with ddr3 1600. anyone have anything like this?

 

[solce]

bumping for any other input

 

[mindless728]

the xeon's also have 2 qpi links instead of one. probably better for rendering and all that stuff I don't actually do. Thanks for the input. If i were to get $100 or more for downgrading i think it'd be the right move

actually the 5xxx series has 2 QPI links for dual sockets (ie two physical processors), each processor would use a link for memory (each has its own bank) and one to communicate with the other processor socket

EDIT: if you can't OC it at all, then i would get the 930 and a good heatsink

 

[solce]

i'm just worried that i will get worse performance. i only want to do a mild overclock and just really want to be able to run 1600 ram. sounds like the 930 is the way to go but i feel like i'm taking a risk

 

[mindless728]

i'm just worried that i will get worse performance. i only want to do a mild overclock and just really want to be able to run 1600 ram. sounds like the 930 is the way to go but i feel like i'm taking a risk

that Xeon is the same architecture as the Nehelam i7's, and if you OC'ed the i7-930 to the same speed it would run apps at the same speed, though since the i7-930 can OC higher than that (with a good cooler), it should be able to perform quite a bit better (and also be able to use faster memory)

 

[solce]

that Xeon is the same architecture as the Nehelam i7's, and if you OC'ed the i7-930 to the same speed it would run apps at the same speed, though since the i7-930 can OC higher than that (with a good cooler), it should be able to perform quite a bit better (and also be able to use faster memory)

xeon is 6.4gt/s though

idk how stable the 930 would be at that?

 

[mindless728]

The QPI link difference isn't going to affect performance, don't worry about even trying to run it at that speed (though its probably doable)