quad core xeon vs i7 or i9?

[xokia]

I'm helping a friend build out a new server. He has some software that sits on the server that has requirements of "QC xeon 3Ghz raid1, 32GB RAM, 2x 1TB SSD (Raid1). Running windows 2012 server. "

The SW folks are not open until Monday which I intend to contact them to get more details.

I believe the QC they listed they intend for a quad core xeon, which an E5450 fits the requirements and can be had for less than $50. The only real advantage to the xeon IMO is the L3 cache and ECC. They do not state they need ECC and an i7 8700 or i9 core has similar cache. Pair the i7 or i9 with optane memory and I just do not see any reason for the xeon. Any server folks see a good reason for the Xeon other than cost in a server setting?

 

[william p]

It sounds like a budget build. I would suggest a Dell T3500, or T5500. This gets you into 3 channel RAM, and the option of 6 core Xeons. IMO the minimum spec. is usually not very satisfactory.
The systems appear similsr but there are some significant differences.
The T3500 is an X58 chipset machine and single CPU only. It can run the single dual Xeon CPUs though, and some unlocked versions 4 and 6 core. It takes UDIMM ECC RAM or non ECC. W3580, W3590 are good for these, X5687,X5680 also.
http://www.userbenchmark.com/System/Dell-Precision-WorkStation-T3500--/2522 Some of these scores are overclocks.
The T5500 can run single CPU or 2 CPU with a riser card. The chipset only supports 2 CPU Xeons so no unlocked versions. It uses RDIMM ECC RAM which can save some money since new 8GB Modules are $30. Just be aware you need to buy sets of 3.
All the Xeons for LGA1366 are HT capable. X5687 is 3.6GHz 4C/8T. 6 cores are X5680,X5690
http://www.userbenchmark.com/System/Dell-Precision-WorkStation-T5500/78
TPU has a Dell Workstation owners club.
https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/dell-workstation-owners-club.243124/page-8#post-3884991

 

[xokia]

It sounds like a budget build. I would suggest a Dell T3500, or T5500. This gets you into 3 channel RAM, and the option of 6 core Xeons. IMO the minimum spec. is usually not very satisfactory.

I now see the problem I will have. The requirement for windows 2012 means I can't use any of the newer processors. I'd probably be stuck using a xeon 5680 or 5690.

 

[william p]

The Xeon E5450 you mentioned is an old LGA771 CPU.
https://ark.intel.com/products/33083/Intel-Xeon-Processor-E5450-12M-Cache-3_00-GHz-1333-MHz-FSB
So what I suggested is a huge upgrade from that. " i7" covers a lot of territory, and some first generation i7 are supported by the T3500.
E5450, and i7-7940 x are miles apart. It's kind of unclear what you're trying to do , and what your budget is.

 

[xokia]

Budget really isn’t an issue. The limiting factor seems to be the requirement for Windows 2012. Looks like maybe a dual Xeon x5690 is likely the best bet.

A dell poweredge R710 possibly?

Dell T5500 dual x5690 is a possibility. I don't know a lot about the T5500 will that allow 2 Sata 1TB drives to do raid1? Appreciate the suggestion!

 

[william p]

The T5500 has 4 16x PCIe slots. You can add controller cards for SAS, RAID whatever. It has native RAID support in the BIOS also.
I'm more of an overclocking/ gamer kind of guy so I tend to look at workstations and not servers. But LGA1366 with it's 3 channel memory is still hanging in therel. A pair of X5687 4C/8T would give 16T capability and 3.6GHz speed.
You can look at the Dell online manual for any machine that interests you.
https://downloads.dell.com/manuals/common/precision-t5500_setup%20guide_en-us.pdf