Looking for a workstation CPU configuration

[Vitalij Vasilevskij]

So I've decided to create a workstation, because my desktop PC is long due for an upgrade and my laptop in not the answer.

Since gaming is not my concern - I've been eyeing the Server Chips (Xeons and Opterons)

But I have not found any real world comparisons of these series.

I want to use this workstation for Audio Production, Video Editing, some 2d CAD applications and calculations (MatLab, for example).

My budget for a CPU is not that big - 400-500$ (+-50$).

Since I am a believer in AMD, I hope that the best option for my budget would be an AMD chip, but, of course, I do not really know what to choose, since I've never worked with Server chips.

So, what can you recommend me?

 

[PCDave]

I'd just say get something like a 3930k for cheap maybe, as Ivy Bridge-E is here. (look out for clearance deals, or something)

AMD doesn't have anything "hardcore" enthusiast grade, however it depends, are you an hardcore video editor, photo editor? Constantly doing video editing?

If it's once and while, not very professional, and you're really on an budget, I'd say get an FX-8350 however.

TL;DR: FX-8350 on a budget, occasional. 3930k for hardcore workstation uses.

Comparisons:

3930k / 4930K http://cpuboss.com/cpus/Intel-Core-i7-4930K-vs-Intel-Core-i7-3930K
3930k / FX8350 http://cpuboss.com/cpus/Intel-Core-i7-3930K-vs-AMD-FX-8350

 

[1991ATServerTower]

My budget for a CPU is not that big - 400-500$ (+-50$).

When you say "cpu" are talking just the processor or is this one of those times when "cpu" really means, "case, power supply, motherboard, ram, hard drive, optical drive"? That's really important.

If you can spend $500 on the processor alone, pretty much ANYTHING Intel you buy over $240 would suffice. The 3930K is a good deal at $560 if you don't need ECC RAM and you want max clock speed. However, the Xeon E5-2620 isn't too shabby at if you do need ECC.

i7 3930K - 6 cores, Hyperthreading, 12MB L3 Cache, 3.2GHz - 3.8GHz
Xeon E5-2620 - 6 cores, Hyperthreading, 15MB L3 Cache, 2.0GHz to 2.5GHz, ECC RAM

http://ark.intel.com/compare/63697,64594

If you're not looking to spend that much money, the Xeon 1230 V2 is a really good deal at $250. It's 4 core with hyperthreading (8 threads) and supports ECC RAM on an 1155 motherboard.