Which CPU do I use for a Dual CPU Rig ?
Which CPU do I use for a Dual CPU Rig ?
CPUs available: Xeon E5-2643v2 with 6/12 cores/threads at 3.5 GHz, priced at $90; Xeon E5-2690 v2 offering 10/20 cores/threads at 3.ghz for $110; Xeon E5-2687W v2 providing 8/16 cores/threads at 3.4 GHz for $170. Boosted by MoBo from HUANANZHI on Newegg, featuring the LGA 2011 motherboard compatible with E5 v2 2680 V2. More details at the provided link.
What do you have now? I mean all of these get smashed by a legit NEW ryzen 3700x + NEW msi tomahawk b450 and NEW 32gb of ram all of which EASILY fits into your budget. Hell a 3900x isn't even that far of a reach and then there is literally no competition anymore. These old xeons have had their time and just aren't good anymore.
You're looking to stretch your existing 64GB DDR3 memory across two CPUs for rendering. A single CPU can't run two CPUs directly, but you could use a multi-core setup with proper hardware. You'd need a SLI or XMP-enabled motherboard supporting 3 or 4 slots and capable of handling multiple RAM modules.
What CPU capacity do you currently have? Which applications are running? A 12600k can strain these dual xeon systems and cost similarly. Stick with more reliable options like a used Supermicro or comparable hardware. Modern CPUs offer better performance per clock, with updated instructions that boost rendering speeds in certain programs. You might be better off selling your existing CPU and RAM to upgrade to a newer platform, as it will work much smoother across most software. What software are you running?
The issue with relying on outdated platforms and parts like DDR3 is that it doesn’t fit current motherboards—modern boards don’t support AM4 or 3/4 way SLI anymore. Multi-GPU usage has faded from mainstream gaming, and it’s mostly reserved for workstation needs. Most people are moving away from single GPU setups because modern cards perform much better than older quad cards. You’re caught in a situation where you need upgrades but can’t afford them right now, or you’re spending too much on a rebuild that might not fit your budget. It’s better to keep the existing system and wait for more affordable options, or invest in a full rebuild when prices drop. The board offers dual-channel crossfire, similar to AMD’s SLI, but I haven’t used it myself. You could sell other components to fund upgrades like a 3800X or more RAM. Either way, the 3700X will easily surpass older models, and DDR4 offers noticeable speed improvements over DDR3, even with 32GB instead of 64GB. Prices for used or open-box parts are often lower on sites like Ebay.
Since it's more recent, around eight years, the details like clock speed, core count, etc., aren't crucial. What really counts is how well each core performs and how they work together. For instance, Intel once offered an 8-core Atom at 2GHz, but a 2-core/4-thread i3-3220 running at 3.1GHz easily outperformed it. Similarly, a 1GHz Pentium 3 beats a 1.4GHz Pentium 4 in speed. These examples highlight that raw numbers don't always matter. SLI for gaming is outdated, and while it was once viable for productivity and gaming together, modern setups rarely need it. Using DDR3 is fine, but most of the components mentioned are from a decade ago. What system did you have before? It might be worth swapping out the RAM instead of keeping everything running. The focus should shift away from outdated hardware thinking. Multi-GPU gaming is no longer relevant. For computing tasks, it's better to prioritize performance over compatibility. New options are abundant today, making older CPUs almost obsolete.
Just to clarify, I'm working within a limited budget. Being disabled doesn't provide much financial support!
On a tight budget, I can’t splurge on new equipment. Definitely not able to buy an RTX card either... I’m stuck with my three GTX 980s and the DDR3 RAM I already have.