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i74790 or E3 1275 v3

P

parlotti

n00b
Joined
Mar 16, 2010
Messages
33
I'm building a workstation with the parts listed below. Every small detail has been looked into and researched well. The stumper is the choice between the i74790 and the E3 1275 v3. They have damn near identical specs apart from over-clocking ability.
The i7 is looking really interesting right now coz its cheaper and supports overclocking but does it beat the Xeon at virtualization given that they both support virtualization?

I need some input. Which would you buy given that your main need is a workstation with strong ability to run virtualization labs?



X2 Kingston SSDNow mS200 SMS200S3 60GB (SSD)
NZXT Sentry 3 (Fan Contoller)
X6 Samsung 840 EVO Series MZ-7TE120 120GB (SSD)
Corsair Hydro H110 (Watercooler)
Corsair AX860 860W (Power Supply)
Asus GeForce GTX 770 DirectCU II OC HDMI DP 2xDVI 2GB (Graphic Card)
X2 Asus VN279QLB (Monitor)
Kingston HyperX Beast DDR3 PC19200/2400MHz CL11 XMP 4x8GB (DDR3-ram)
Intel Xeon E3-1275v3 3,5GHz Socket 1150 Box (Prosessor)
ASRock Z87 Extreme11/ac (Motherboard)
 
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Believe it or not the newer i7 is cheaper right now. But what I'm unsure of is if it does better at virtualization than a Xeon of around the same specs?
 
I have a 4770K and a E3-12XX processors. Can't really tell a difference between them.
 
I believe only the Xeons have the ability to use ECC RAM, which may or may not be important to you.
 
devman said:
The E3-1241 V3 has the same specs as the E3-1275 V3 minus an integrated GPU and its cheaper and uses slightly less power.

http://www.cpu-world.com/Compare/400/Intel_Xeon_E3-1241_v3_vs_Intel_Xeon_E3-1275_v3.html

I just bought one for a server build I did (paired with a SuperMicro X10SLM-F)

If you need the integrated GPU, then this is obviously a non-starter, but I thought I'd point it out.
Click to expand...

I thought of that too devman. Thing is I need intergrated graphics. My needs are not graphic intensive so I figured I shall go with intergrated. Hence I'm left with picking between E3 1275v3 and i74790 since the latter is a bit cheaper since its on promo here.
 
RyC said:
I believe only the Xeons have the ability to use ECC RAM, which may or may not be important to you.
Click to expand...

Very Valid point. But I decided not to go with ECC pretty early in the build. The focus was speed and the ability to crank out heavy and complex virtualization labs while multitasking heavily.
 
If I was going to spend that kind of money, I would got with the LGA 2011 socket so I could have more memory in the future.
 
Intel is about to make the next leap in processors. This would do until they launch. By the time I outgrow this box, there would be something more interesting move to.
 
KapsZ28 said:
If I was going to spend that kind of money, I would got with the LGA 2011 socket so I could have more memory in the future.
Click to expand...

I'd go 2011 to be able to go >32GB ram. "heavy and complex virtualization labs" to me would probably tax the 32GB ram especially since this seems to be a workstation and your going to need some ram for that to run.

Personally I went with a older Dell T7500 that has two L5640's, 48GB ECC Ram (will be 72GB tonight), 512 GB SSD, 2x 2TB WD RE's and a GTX 760 for my workstation/lab currently running Windows 8.1/Hyper-V. Total cost in it is about what the OP is going to use for Mobo, CPU and RAM.
 
I'd probably just go with the i7 in your situation, since it's a touch cheaper and it sounds like you're building a big gaming box that will also pull virtualization lab duty, perhaps even an all-in-one with video passthrough. I supect you're not going to be CPU limited with most lab tasks, with either processor. If passthrough is your goal, verify the i7 you go with actually supports VT-d. I seem to recall Haswell K models actually do supoprt this, but Sandy/Ivy bridge K models definitely do not.

For a while I did the whole virtualized gaming setup with passthrough. Worked great when it did work, would sometimes freeze up my host completely. Eventually ditched it for a separate mini itx gaming build stacked right on top of the "giant" workstation.

I'd also be interested in hearing about how you plan to setup your storage. 6 EVO 120s seems like an odd option compared to 1-2 higher capacity (and typically higher performing due to more flash channels) SSDs.
 
The 4770k at least doesn't support VT-d according to ARK. But ARK says the upcoming 4790k will, so maybe they are including VT-d in future "k" models after all.
 
fantabulous said:
I'd probably just go with the i7 in your situation, since it's a touch cheaper and it sounds like you're building a big gaming box that will also pull virtualization lab duty, perhaps even an all-in-one with video passthrough. I supect you're not going to be CPU limited with most lab tasks, with either processor. If passthrough is your goal, verify the i7 you go with actually supports VT-d. I seem to recall Haswell K models actually do supoprt this, but Sandy/Ivy bridge K models definitely do not.

For a while I did the whole virtualized gaming setup with passthrough. Worked great when it did work, would sometimes freeze up my host completely. Eventually ditched it for a separate mini itx gaming build stacked right on top of the "giant" workstation.

I'd also be interested in hearing about how you plan to setup your storage. 6 EVO 120s seems like an odd option compared to 1-2 higher capacity (and typically higher performing due to more flash channels) SSDs.
Click to expand...

The i7 actually supports VT-d hence the temptation to buy it. As for storage, That mobo can take 22 drives but my config is as follows:

X2 msata configured in raid0 => This shall be sliced up and used to install multiple OSs

X6 EVO 120s => Available to be attatched to VMS as need be and to work with ZFS and do multiple tests

X4 2TB WD Reds => Raid 10 strorage and backup for all the above.

Planning to build out as time goes on but this box shall do it all for now.
 
parlotti said:
<snipped>
Asus GeForce GTX 770 DirectCU II OC HDMI DP 2xDVI 2GB (Graphic Card)
<snipped>
Click to expand...

You have a discrete graphics card listed ^^^^

parlotti said:
I thought of that too devman. Thing is I need intergrated graphics. My needs are not graphic intensive so I figured I shall go with intergrated. Hence I'm left with picking between E3 1275v3 and i74790 since the latter is a bit cheaper since its on promo here.
Click to expand...

Why do you think you need a CPU with integrated graphics if you have a discrete card added to your build??

parlotti said:
Very Valid point. But I decided not to go with ECC pretty early in the build. The focus was speed and the ability to crank out heavy and complex virtualization labs while multitasking heavily.
Click to expand...

What is "heavy and complex virtualization labs" ... and since you are multitasking ..does this mean you are using a type 2 hypervisor (ie VMware Workstaton?)

I guess I don't understand the overall goal yet ... (all-in-one or type 2 hypervisor).


+1 on going 2011 (for >32GB RAM) ...but depends on immediate and long term use and number of VMs.
 
Netwerkz101 I shall start out without the discrete graphics hence the need of a CPU with graphics.

Heavy virtualization means I run an entire domain of around 6 - 10 VMs at once. I'm building out a full network based virtualization lab based on two freenas boxes and two ESXI servers.

Pending the other more costly spends, I shall use this box for labs and really get a feel for what I need to build. After the build it shall be a regular and fast workstation and nothing more but I need something that scratches many itches at this time. Long term I see another build.
 
parlotti said:
Netwerkz101 I shall start out without the discrete graphics hence the need of a CPU with graphics.

Heavy virtualization means I run an entire domain of around 6 - 10 VMs at once. I'm building out a full network based virtualization lab based on two freenas boxes and two ESXI servers.

Pending the other more costly spends, I shall use this box for labs and really get a feel for what I need to build. After the build it shall be a regular and fast workstation and nothing more but I need something that scratches many itches at this time. Long term I see another build.
Click to expand...

I just looked at the specs on the motherboard....wow .. this is an expensive lesson.
You could spend less ...but...
I'll just answer the original question:
If you are not concerned with ECC memory ... bypass the Xeon and get the i7.
 
Netwerkz101 said:
I just looked at the specs on the motherboard....wow .. this is an expensive lesson.
You could spend less ...but...
I'll just answer the original question:
If you are not concerned with ECC memory ... bypass the Xeon and get the i7.
Click to expand...

And a cabling nightmare when you get enough drives running on that thing. Think the OP would be better off with a cheaper board + separate controller. I don't understand why ASRock doesn't put some SFF ports of some sort on their boards with integrated LSI controllers.
 
Netwerkz101 said:
I just looked at the specs on the motherboard....wow .. this is an expensive lesson.
You could spend less ...but...
I'll just answer the original question:
If you are not concerned with ECC memory ... bypass the Xeon and get the i7.
Click to expand...

Expensive lesson? Please clarify. I came here to get some view points before I pull the trigger on this build so details are helpful here.
 
parlotti said:
Expensive lesson? Please clarify. I came here to get some view points before I pull the trigger on this build so details are helpful here.
Click to expand...

Forgive my shortness then ... I did not want to go into a long post for a simple "A or B" type question.

In order for us to really help you ... you need to be absolutely honest about what the end/desired result is.

Your build list looks like it's a gaming rig that doubles as a storage box - but it is overkill for a VM host node alone.
The CPU is overkill for a storage node and lacks ECC support - which I would want in a FreeNAS build especially if running ZFS - though ECC memory is not mandatory.

You need to qualify your 6-10 VMs because on the surface .. you could get away with 16GB if those are infrastructure type VMs (DC/DNS/DHCP/File/Print, etc.).
If you are talking app servers (SQL/Exchange, etc) or you want to add varying client VMs..now it's another ballpark memory wise.

Honestly you are a good candidate for a nested virtual lab with that current build.

I have run what you describe on my laptop via VMware Workstation (not app servers though - just 2 ESXi hosts+ FreeNas VM).

Physical Lab ----
If I was building a physical lab just to get started/on a limited budget (knowing I'd be building something else/new later),
I'd go as cheap as possible for the VM host nodes - even with 32GB limit.

I did exactly this with my second lab build:
http://hardforum.com/showpost.php?p=1037953079&postcount=474

For me, going forward with hardware .. I'd not buy a Motherboard/CPU combo that is limited to 32GB as that memory limit is why I have to run 2 hosts now 24/7 instead of one.

I'd spend more money on a nice storage node as I am not likely to upgrade that as much as the VM hosts.
I still have a PowerEdge T110-II running FreeNAS and I have not exceeded any limitations on it yet (only 12 drives + 8GB RAM in it..yes ECC ;) )
EDIT - I do bump the Gb ethernet 125MB/s - but it's just me in my lab..so .... :p
 
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Netwerkz101 said:
Forgive my shortness then ... I did not want to go into a long post for a simple "A or B" type question.

In order for us to really help you ... you need to be absolutely honest about what the end/desired result is.

Your build list looks like it's a gaming rig that doubles as a storage box - but it is overkill for a VM host node alone.
The CPU is overkill for a storage node and lacks ECC support - which I would want in a FreeNAS build especially if running ZFS - though ECC memory is not mandatory.

You need to qualify your 6-10 VMs because on the surface .. you could get away with 16GB if those are infrastructure type VMs (DC/DNS/DHCP/File/Print, etc.).
If you are talking app servers (SQL/Exchange, etc) or you want to add varying client VMs..now it's another ballpark memory wise.

Honestly you are a good candidate for a nested virtual lab with that current build.

I have run what you describe on my laptop via VMware Workstation (not app servers though - just 2 ESXi hosts+ FreeNas VM).

Physical Lab ----
If I was building a physical lab just to get started/on a limited budget (knowing I'd be building something else/new later),
I'd go as cheap as possible for the VM host nodes - even with 32GB limit.

I did exactly this with my second lab build:
http://hardforum.com/showpost.php?p=1037953079&postcount=474

For me, going forward with hardware .. I'd not buy a Motherboard/CPU combo that is limited to 32GB as that memory limit is why I have to run 2 hosts now 24/7 instead of one.

I'd spend more money on a nice storage node as I am not likely to upgrade that as much as the VM hosts.
I still have a PowerEdge T110-II running FreeNAS and I have not exceeded any limitations on it yet (only 12 drives + 8GB RAM in it..yes ECC ;) )
EDIT - I do bump the Gb ethernet 125MB/s - but it's just me in my lab..so .... :p
Click to expand...

Thanks a ton for the insight. Gave me a clear idea where to trim back and where to go for it.
 
Thanks everyone for lending some input here. I shall start the build late next week. I have decided to build a workstation to start with. It shall make use of the i74790K. Seems a great candidate for both work and play. I have trimmed some of the overkillness somewhat. What is left is a brute of a machine despite the cuts. Shall post my findings while and after building. Hope it helps some other knucklehead like myself. :D
 
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