Intel Skulltrail Part 1: The Power of 8 Cores

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By Bert Toepelt
published

Intel D5400XS With Quad-Channel

Among computer enthusiasts, there is no such thing as too much performance. With regard to the review sample that Intel sent us, we can honestly say that no other system that has passed through our lab has ever provided this much performance. In other words - or rather in numbers - here's what we got: The Skulltrail system consists of eight physical processor cores that can be (over)clocked at speeds up to 4 GHz. We're sure marketing-minded people would love to advertise this as a 32 GHz system, but that would obviously be inaccurate. The motherboard sports two socket 771 processor sockets, each equipped with a quad-core CPU. Intel already demonstrated this platform at its last Intel Developer forum in San Francisco, as you can read here.

Upon closer inspection, it turns out that Intel must have been under immense pressure when developing this new platform, though. Apparently Intel feared that AMD's quad-core Phenom CPUs, which had at the time not yet been released, Compare Prices on AMD Phenom Processors would catch up to or even outpace the Penryn. Of course, ever since the publication of the article "AMD Phenom-The Spider Weaves its Web," the world knows that AMD is still trying to iron out some kinks in its newest CPU.

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Bert Toepelt
3 Comments Comment from the forums
  • white1widow
    I agree that the Skulltrail rig with two QX9775's is hands down the most incredible thing as of late. with a dual 9800gx2 SLI option its the gamers dream and could devour any game. As far as 8 core dual proc setups its the most powerful and obviously the most expensive. Being the most powerful means that everyone wants it and being the most expensive means that only the few, dedicated and rich enthusiast will have it... The rest of people who realize the power of a dual quad system will go Quad FX - the drasticaly cheaper route. I paid $600 for two FX72 at 2.8ghz and the quadfather motherboard. And I get incredible performance not far behind what skulltrail benchmarks indicate. I can multitask and an astounding level using XP64bit and a 5 drive raid + 4gb DDR2. So basically my point is this: Intel has created the most incredible rig (skulltrail), but nobody can afford it. thats not bringing power to the masses, its ripping folks off. That is why whenever Intel comes out with something awesome, I will always go and purchase the immensesly comparable AMD alternative at 1/4 the price. Dual FX72's is more than any nerd will ever need, if need be, I will simply upgrade to dual quad opterons and ECC memory.
    Reply
  • xcorat
    Hi
    So does anybody have a recommendation on a northbridge fan I can use?
    preferably easy to install?( I really hate to take the motherboard out on that monster.)
    Reply
  • IBMSYSADMIN
    I agree W1W, Performance and Value have to balance for most of us these days....
    Reply