Xeon W5990 vs. 3rd Gen i7 for AutoCad

[computergiant]

Hello,

I have a free Xeon W5590 3.33GHz CPU and am wondering if I should build an AutoCad rig with that, or if it would be better to use a i7-3770K Ivy Bridge 3.5GHz (3.9GHz Turbo).

The goal is the fastest rig at the lowest cost.

The variable costs would be the mobo and RAM which are probably going to cost more with the W5990 eliminating the cost savings of the free CPU.

So is the i7 faster than the W5990 for AutoCAD, or will the performance be similar?

EDITED TO REFLECT PROPER MODEL # XEON W5590
Intel® Xeon® Processor W5590
(8M Cache, 3.33 GHz, 6.40 GT/s Intel® QPI)

 

[ilysaml]

I can't find any technical specs of that CPU, can you give a link?

 

[getochkn]

It's a 5590, not 5990. They made a typo.

 

[computergiant]

getochkn is right! Sorry.

Specifications
Essentials
Status
Launched
Launch Date
Q3'09
Processor Number
W5590
# of Cores
4
# of Threads
8
Clock Speed
3.33 GHz
Max Turbo Frequency
3.6 GHz
Intel® Smart Cache
8 MB
Intel® QPI Speed
6.4 GT/s
# of QPI Links
2
Instruction Set
64-bit
Embedded Options Available
No
Lithography
45 nm
Max TDP
130 W
VID Voltage Range
0.75V -1.35V
Recommended Customer Price
TRAY: $1600.00
BOX : $1666.00
Memory Specifications
Max Memory Size (dependent on memory type)
144 GB
Memory Types
DDR3-800/1066/1333
# of Memory Channels
3
Max Memory Bandwidth
32 GB/s
Physical Address Extensions
40-bit
ECC Memory Supported
Yes
Graphics Specifications
Integrated Graphics

Package Specifications
TCASE
67°C
Package Size
42.5mm x 45mm
Processing Die Size
263 mm2
# of Processing Die Transistors
731 million
Sockets Supported
FCLGA1366
Low Halogen Options Available
See MDDS
Advanced Technologies
Intel® Turbo Boost Technology
Yes
Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology
Yes
Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x)
Yes
Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d)
Yes
Intel® Trusted Execution Technology
No
AES New Instructions
No
Intel® 64
Yes
Idle States
Yes
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology
Yes
Intel® Demand Based Switching
Yes
Execute Disable Bit
Yes
Intel® VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT)
No

 

[getochkn]

The Xeon needs twice the power, probably more heat, no SSE instruction set.

I would sell the Xeon and probably be able to fund part of an I7 rig from it. lol. There isn't any real benefit from it unless you had 2 Xeons and could get a dual cpu board, then it would have an advantage.

 

[computergiant]

getochkn, that is what I was thinking too. If I did the 2 Xeon's then the performance would certainly be better, but would it render drawings twice as fast?

 

[ilysaml]

Yes of course, rendering relies mainly on the CPU power, it will surely render better than a single CPU. Xeons are more intended for intensive workstations work.

 

[computergiant]

Ok. So it seems like if I want to purchase a second Xeon and RAM then build that rig. Otherwise do the i7. Thanks!

 

[computergiant]

Best answer selected by computergiant.

 

[iceclock]

the xeon is fine. got 4cores+4ht cores. would make no sense to buy a 3770k.

 

[computergiant]

Yes of course, rendering relies mainly on the CPU power, it will surely render better than a single CPU. Xeons are more intended for intensive workstations work.

Thanks for clearing that up. You earn the runner up award!

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[computergiant]

the xeon is fine. got 4cores+4ht cores. would make no sense to buy a 3770k.

I agree that the performance would be similar. It is going to come down to how much a single CPU mobo costs for each version, then the cost of RAM (ECC vs non-ECC).

I need to price it out to see if the cost savings is erased. If it turns out to be the same cost for each build and I only opt for 1 CPU, wouldn't it make sense to buy the i7 (newer, overclock capabilities, HD4000)?

 

[iceclock]

ur still gonna be spending money for nothing. gonna need a 3770k=320$+good mobo=250$+ram=160$

whynot utilise your free cpu.

just an idea.

 

[iceclock]

well in single cpu situation both be close. but if your gonna need 2xcpus xeon wins here.