General Intel HEDT Xeon/i7 details Talk about performance and compatibility across various systems
General Intel HEDT Xeon/i7 details Talk about performance and compatibility across various systems
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Welcome to the Intel HEDT community—a massive group where some justify their need for HEDT while others just use it regardless! It began as a discussion for X58/5520, merged with X99/C612, and now includes X79/C6xx (according to Wikipedia, there are several server chipset options). We might even let X299 members join in. This is essentially a huge forum for all things related to Intel HEDT and server chipsets (if you have any rare or unusual ones that still fit the Intel HEDT definition, feel free to share them).
We started focusing on overclocking and value builds when Ryzen launched, and X58 really had its own appeal. Now it’s more about enthusiasts and a mix of users—server builders, hardcore overclockers, casual fans, and everyone in between.
If you need any essential guides or downloads, just let me know and I’ll add them here. Thanks to @panther420 for the latest BIOS ZIP file for most X58 boards, along with the instructions and tools: [link].
Legacy note: As a heads-up, @Ground and @WhisperingKnickers—this is going to be interesting. For those unfamiliar, X58 i7s are essentially modern i7s with higher core counts and better overclocking potential. You can find a 6c/12t chip at around $20 on eBay, with a base clock of 2.66GHz (boost up to 3.06GHz) and stock performance near R5 1600. Motherboards typically cost between $170 and $120, and DDR3 RAM is quite affordable. Generally, you can build a solid system for under $100, achieving 4+GHz overclock on air and 5+ on water.
EDIT: We’re excited to include our X58 i7 members too! Since those are essentially another name for Xeon processors, we see the value. Switching to mainstream Ryzen would be a betrayal, and I’d be disappointed.
I purchased my X58 in December 2008. I recently switched from the 920 to the 6-core performance of the X5660.
I’ll be among the first to talk about my setup. Right now I don’t have photos since my side panel is getting a fresh coat of paint and it’s looking really stylish. From a hardware standpoint, this wasn’t a cheap build. I originally had budget expectations but ended up going beyond what I’d planned. My specifications are listed here along with the cost for each part: CPU (two Xeon X5690s) – about $360 total; Motherboard – Supermicro X8DTI-F, purchased after a previous upgrade; RAM – 56GB ECC server memory (actually 64GB, though one module seems faulty); GPU – MSI GTX 1060 GAMING X 6GB, bought for roughly $300 including shipping; Case – NZXT S340, chosen for its size and fit with my eATX board; Storage – Samsung 850 EVO 500GB and a 2TB HDD (SSD originally as a laptop gift, HDD from a friend); Power supply – XFX 750W PRO Black Edition, selected for dual CPU support; Display – Acer G246HL 24" and an older Dell screen for $60; Cooling – Noctua NH-U12DXi4 and NH-U9DXi4, two of the few that fit my server board; Keyboard – Corsair Gaming K70 LUX RGB MX Browns, refurbished on Newegg; Mouse – Logitech G600, received as a gift; Sound – Creative Sound Blaster Audigy FX 5.1 with 600Ω headphone amp; Operating System – Windows 10 Pro, spent $200; Plus I upgraded my system and it’s now fully rebuilt. See my signature for the latest configuration. Updated: October 19, 2018 by WhisperingKnickers
It seems you're questioning the availability of a specific configuration. If that's accurate, then it's not correct. There are indeed four i7 models with six cores: I7 970, 980 (non-x), 980x, and i7 990x. I have the i7 980x in my possession. Regardless, I agree. Whether it's an i7 or an xeon, these XT58 chips are still performing well enough to remain relevant. I wouldn't hesitate to try a setup with an EVGA SR2 motherboard and two Xeons for around 12 cores and 24 threads.