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W3520 or 920 D0?

I

INFRNL

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Dec 30, 2006
Messages
1,091
Curious as to which cpu you prefer and think I should get?

I should be able to get a D0 through Microcenter for approx $250...I know about the deal earlier this week and dont want to talk about it. MC lied to me about which Batches they had so I passed on the deal, but come to find out they have plenty of D0's

Or the other option would be to get a Xeon W3520 for $295.

I hear the xeons are better for overclocking usually and are usually a better chip since it server based; just as the opterons were better than the desktop AMD chips.

I have seen excellent results with both; so I am a bit confused as which to go with

so what are your thoughts? Thanks
 
If you are an OCer, want the absolutely best binned CPU and don't mind spending $300, the Xeon is the one to get. The D0 is still a good chip, but the Xeon is just that much better.
 
Thanks; Im not hard core or anything, but would like to try and get the highest oc possible on air atm, maybe one day H20.

If I remember correctly you answered som info for me on XS.

I will be Folding and Crunching on this system 24/7 as well; so could use all I can get.

My C0's I only run at 3.8 @ 1.3v to help keep temps down
 
XS is down as of now. Just get the Xeon, you won't regret it. Always get a CPU that is one step better than what you may need because you will soon realize you need it. Like they always say, never do anything that you will say, "I should've gotten it." Always do something that puts you in a position to say, "I Do Have It!"
 
LOL. thanks
I agree with your logic. I have made many mistakes in the past and said to myself; should have gone with what I really wanted in the first place; would have save money along the way too.

I noticed XS has been down off and on all weekend. They have been down for a while now tonight/ last night.

Thanks again

not that it really matters, but the mobos I will have to work with are the Bloodrage, Biostar Tpower, and Gigabyte UD4P. I just picked up the UD4P for $175 after rebate and CB; couldnt resist. I think it can be flashed or whatever to an extreme too!
 
If my CC didn't get declined for unknown reason, I would've had a Xeon W3520 in my hands by now. After it was declined, I didn't feel the urge to reorder it. But I think I will still place an order for it at some point.
 
The Xeon W3520 is identical to the i7 920, unless you want a dual-CPU setup or use EEC memory (hint: you don't). I don't see why a server class CPU would be better at overclocking since servers are rarely overclocked (you need the best stability possible in most situations). Even if there are a few reports of high OCs with the Xeons, there's also reports of high OCs with the i7s so why pay more when it's a gamble either way and there's no reason the Xeon should OC better?
 
My W3520 can do 4.0 ghz at stock voltages. Batch is 3901A250 i'm in China, will be back next week so i'll be able to test it more, i've handpicked this cpu over a 3949B509 that was also available. Pricewise was $300 not a great deal but at least i got to pick my own cpu.
 
DragonQ said:
The Xeon W3520 is identical to the i7 920, unless you want a dual-CPU setup or use EEC memory (hint: you don't). I don't see why a server class CPU would be better at overclocking since servers are rarely overclocked (you need the best stability possible in most situations). Even if there are a few reports of high OCs with the Xeons, there's also reports of high OCs with the i7s so why pay more when it's a gamble either way and there's no reason the Xeon should OC better?
Click to expand...

I am not sure about Intel, but in the past the AMD Opteron server cpu was chip of choice because they are made of higher quality due to having to rely on stability. Turned out they overclocked better as well and was easier to do.

I am hearing the same thing about Intel. Getting higher clocks easier/ less voltage, etc. granted they are sever based, they do not require ECC and work in an a desktop environment. They should be able to tolerate more and be more stable in theory.

from my past experience The server based chips did make a difference and was worth a little more. However you are correct in that there are a lot of I7 920 that still do great in themselves. which is why I am trying to figure out which way to go.

I may just do something stupid and try both and see what gives me better results. I am not going for extreme overclocking, but would like to get as high as possible w/ air (TRUE) or eventually H2o

just my thoughts as others will probably agree. Or maybe the more extreme diehard guys will, lol

EDIT: wifey didnt want to stop in Denver today. So I am going to live life on the edge this week and go with a Xeon W3520.

Thanks for the input...mainly JC
 
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I was once a Xeon over Desktop CPU guy, but some things about the W3520 turned me off. Apparently some moherboards won't allow you set QPI link dividers as easy as the 920, but these are corrected with bios updates. So if you go Xeon be prepared to deal with things like this. (If I got my terminology wrong forgive me.) I just joined the LGA1366 club and my proc. is still sitting in the box. I'm getting a migraine trying to decide what board and cooler to use with it!

I was in Taiwan on business last week and saw a single SLBEJ D0 proc and looked up the batch code. This was sitting in some rural town at an home electrics appliance store! hehehe... I was visiting the in-laws and on a grocery run decided to walk into this shop out of boredom.

Apparently procs from the same batch were able to hit 5GHz on high end air granted at 1.5v!!! :eek: I basically paid 300USD for it, but figured that it was worth it to buy, because I didn't have to trek somewhere and get disappointed.

Scalpers in Korea and Japan are flogging these chips for $400 USD!!! Blame rich kids and their propensity to pay for "Golden Samples" hehehe...

Just to clarify the W3520 is meant for single socket systems. Only the W55XX processors are for dual.

The W3520 works with ECC or not. and basically is supposed to be compatible with any single socket mobo.

About batch codes... I just read a post from Ultimate Hardness aka. Kyle Bennett that he got a D0 and wasn't all too impressed with it. I'd take all of the Xeon vs Standard Desktop and C0 vs D0 stuff as a rule of thumb, rather than fact.
 
Thanks. I have spoke to Kyle already. I am not sure why he is having problems. He seems to have a good batch; nothing I recognize, but its close to some of the better ones actual batch # wise.

I went ahead and ordered a Xeon today; just couldnt resist. may be a waste of $45 but not from what I have been reading. I also realize that the Xeons may have issues on some mobos. I plan to run on a gigabyte UD4P which has already claimed support for the Xeon cpu's. I have seen people running this cpu on this baord so not too worried. Will be prepared to update bios; not an issue.

Thanks for the input guys. I still need to order another TRUE 1366 RT though and would like to get another gpu, but may have to hold off on GPU for another week. I have one I can use though; so no biggy. Just trying to work on my folding farm
 
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