Dual core with hyper-threading or quad core without hyper-threading

[Tesoro3033]

I'm building a multi purpose development machine. I have several years experience in the IT field, but have leaned more towards networking than hardcore computer hardware.

The prospective development environment will be:

Windows Server 2012 R2
SQL Server 2014 Express (Initially before possible upgrade to Standard)
Windows 7, 8 and 8.1 virtual machines

One of the Windows virtual machines will run Visual Studio Community Edition.

The entire build is going to be for training purposes to broaden my knowledge on newer technology and software.

Server 2012 R2 is the latest MS server available commercially
SQL 2014 will be used to learn SQL
Virtual machines to learn virtual environments
Visual Studio to begin my education in programming.

The prospective build:
Preferably a non rack chassis server (it'll be installed in my house)
Dual socket (non rack chassis typically don't have dual socket)
Two quad core processors
Relevant RAM capacity
Three or more solid state drives

The goal of this build and environment is not to be bleeding edge technology or screaming powerful. I want it to have a small useful piece of several new technologies (hence the latest software choices, solid state drives, dual socket quad cores etc) so I can learn their uses, functions and failures in conjunction with one another as these are the technologies that will be replacing what I currently have experience in.

My biggest, and really only question that brought me here has to do with processor choices.

I've found a pretty consistent trend amongst my processor choices. Several of the dual core processors available for my price range have hyper-threading. As I understand it, that's 1 physical processor, two logical processors, and four possible threads. The quad core processors available for my price range don't appear to have hyper threading in most cases. As I understand it, that's 1 physical processor, four logical processors, and four possible threads.

The question is, will there be any significant advantages or disadvantages between the dual core with hyper-threading vs the quad core without hyper-threading. Keep in mind I will have two physical processors regardless of whether I choose dual or quad core.

I just read SQL Express can only utilize the lesser of one socket or four cores. That doesn't specify threads and I did recall reading SQL is hyper-thread capable but I could be wrong.

Will any of the prospective environment pieces gain or lose any major functionality or efficiency when choosing between a dual core with hyper-threading or a quad core without hyper threading.

I am partial to the quad core option. No specific reason other than they've become pretty abundant at my current company.

Answers to my specific question are all I'm after and I'd prefer responses be relevant. I'm not here to argue my path but would be open to suggest for changes that will still result in the same goal. Again, this entire build and environment is for training and educational purposes on the technology and software.

Thanks

ST

 

[kanewolf]

Your desire for a dual socket motherboard eliminates dual core CPUs, I believe. If you want a dual socket motherboard in a non-rack mount chassis you should look for a used workstation on E-Bay. HP Z800 or Dell T5x00 or T7x00 or Dell 690 for an older/cheaper model....

 

[Tesoro3033]

I'm not sure I understand your response. I supported two rack servers at my last company that had dual socket dual core processors installed. All logical cores were recognized by the system.

Agreed, I'll be going for a used server option. Preferably from a vendor such as TigerDirect or ServerMonkey.

 

[kanewolf]

Maybe I am not thinking OLD enough. Nothing recent from Xeon is dual core....

 

[Tesoro3033]

Ohhh okay, then yes, your response makes perfect sense now.

So is Xeon the only processor that operates in dual socket? I know it's the only processor I've ever SEEN in dual socket.

As far as the original question, the dual vs quad, the budget I'm trying to stick to provides both of them as options. Price doesn't appear to change much when choosing between dual or quad either.

So would 2x dual core with Hyper-Threading be better/worse/irrelevant to what I'm doing compared to 2x quad core without Hyper-Threading.

 

[kanewolf]

From Intel, I believe Xeon is the only choice for dual sockets. And the E3-1xxxx are single socket only. The Intel ARK shows the "Max CPU Configuration" -- That means the maximum number that are supported together. You need a CPU that shows in that column. I believe the part numbers of the newer CPUS are -2xxx in the part number. The 5000 Xeon parts, you will just need to check the ARK. Obviously if you buy a box with CPUs already installed, they should work together.

Your other question -- dual core with hyperthreading might be OK if it is JUST you accessing these VMs. You can should only have one active. But 4 physical cores will be better than 2 physical cores.

 

[Tesoro3033]

Darn it so now there's another variable I need to worry about?!

I can't win!

 

[kanewolf]

Darn it so now there's another variable I need to worry about?!

I can't win!

Not another variable.. Just another way to identify dual socket compatible, if you are buying discrete parts. If you buy a host with CPUs installed, then that should already be taken care of. Even if you buy a dual socket motherboard with only one CPU installed, you would just match the part number of the first CPU when you buy the second.

 

[Tesoro3033]

Okay I think I see what you're saying.

Using ServerMonkey as an example, if they let me put 2X quad core processors in the machine when I order it, it's safe to say they're CPU maximum is 2 or more, right?

For testing I chose a build with 2X Quad Core X5355. It allows me to make the build with them installed, however the ARK doesn't specify max CPU.

http://ark.intel.com/products/28035/Intel-Xeon-Processor-X5355-8M-Cache-2_66-GHz-1333-MHz-FSB?q=x5355

I know these systems are dated, but they're still quad core CPU's with virtualization functionality. I'll worry about all the newest bells and whistles once I gather the knowledge that will help my immediate needs in my career.

 

[kanewolf]

Of course the ARK doesn't show the number of sockets supported. But, I double checked on a server I am familiar... The HP DL380G5 was available with an X5355 CPU. That would mean it is good to go for dual socket. You might be able to get an E5345 or an E5430 for a little less. The "X" versions were the high wattage high performance versions. The "E" models were lower power and lower performance.

 

[Tesoro3033]

Okay awesome. I actually just came across the E5540 which is quad core + hyper-threading which supports maximum of 2 sockets.

Now I've got to get the right chassis that supports the E5540 range socket. If that price is too high, I'll look for the E/X 53**'s

 

[kanewolf]

An HP ML350 G5 is the deskside chassis that will support the X/E 53xx or 54xx CPUs. Apparently there some E/X 52xx dual core CPUs that will also work in the ML350 G5.

 

[Tesoro3033]

I was trying to stick with DELL for familiarity purposes but ServerMonkey doesn't have a chassis that supports the 54xx's in my budget.

Thanks for your help.