Xeon vs i7?

[Jonathan Cave]

I have little knowledge of servers so hoping you guys can help:

im considering 2 x dedicated servers (non shared hosting)

Intel Xeon E3-1245V2 (Ivy Bridge) with DDR3 / SSD vs i7 Skylake @ 4.7Ghz DDR4 / SSD

For running Conan exiles server for 70 players i would assume the Skylake @ 4.7Ghz would out perform the Ivy Xeon?

 

[EpIckFa1LJoN]

I'm not too experienced with servers either but I can't really see any application where that particular Xeon would ever outperform a 6700k especially OC'd.

Unless there is some glaring point i'm missing.

Same core/thread count.
Same L3 cache size
But the i7 is 900MHz faster with a 4.7 OC.

 

[ikaz]

Well the thing is I know Xeon processor support ECC memory not sure about skylake I7 normally you would want to run ECC memory in a server for better error handling and less chance of server crashing when in use.

 

[electro_neanderthal]

The Xeon supports ECC (error correcting memory), which is helpful if you don't want an error to force you to restart the server every few days (assuming you get around 50-70 players consistently). However, you'd also need ECC RAM and a motherboard that supports ECC.

Though I'm no expert at running a server, so take my advice with a grain of salt.

The i7 does not support ECC.

Edit: Apparently Conan isn't as volatile as Minecraft, so I'm probably wrong about it crashing every few days.

 

[derekullo]

I7s don't use ECC ram and allow for overclocking, with the K or X models.

Xeons use ECC ram and do not allow for overclocking.

When a RAM error absolutely can't happen; financial records, ZFS file system, ... you use ECC RAM and therefore Xeons or a few i3 models.

Having said that RAM errors are very low for ram being operated within its normal frequencies from well known companies.

I've had a zfs system running for years on non-ecc ram without any issues, i3-2100 with 8 gigabytes of DDR3 ram.

I use it as an ftp server, all data is backed up to a ZFS server with ECC ram daily.

Any ram errors at all on a ZFS system will very quickly break the file system.

 

[derekullo]

For the actual setup of your Conan Exile server you can ignore ECC, worst case the server crashes from a ram error once every 5 years and you restore the server from a backup, if it ever crashes due to a ram error.

For the CPU you need it depends if the server software is written to use multiple threads.

If the server software is written to use 8 or fewer threads then core frequency would win, meaning the i7.

If the server software is written to use more than 8 threads, then most likely a higher end Xeon with more threads would come out ahead.


As for the original discussion;

Intel Xeon E3-1245V2 (Ivy Bridge) with DDR3 / SSD vs i7 Skylake @ 4.7Ghz DDR4 / SSD

The i7 will perform better than the Xeon due to having the same amount of threads, but a 400-600 megahertz higher clock rate.

 

[gasaraki]

The i7 will be faster for Conan. You will not be running anything that will take advantage of the Xeon processor.

 

[derekullo]

A more thought provoking comparison would be;

i7 Skylake @ 4.7Ghz DDR4 / SSD (8 Threads)

versus

AMD Threadripper 1900X @3.8Ghz DDR4 / SSD (16 Threads)

versus

Intel Xeon E5-2680 V2 @ 2.8 Gigahertz DDR4 / SSD (20 Threads)

Each one having their own strengths in different areas.

But this would depend how well threaded the Conan Server software is.

 

[Jonathan Cave]

look @ OC I7 7700K PARIS\LONDON

https://www.gtxgaming.co.uk/server-hosting/dedicated-servers/

syas ECC - but memory controlled doesnt support- confused!?

 

[derekullo]

That service/site is using Xeons for their E3-E5 GTX Paris which do support ECC ram.

The I7-GTX | DALLAS/NY/LA and I7 7700K | SYDNEY and i7-GTX SSD | FRANKFURT using an i7 and ecc is a misprint, likely the sites creator copy pasting data and forgot to take out the ecc from the i7 computers.

Intel will never-ever, without exception, have ECC on an i7 due to creating competition with its Xeon line of processors.