Xeon versus i7 in triple channel setup with four DIMMs
Xeon versus i7 in triple channel setup with four DIMMs
Hey there, everyone. I hope you're all doing great. I'm planning to purchase a Dell T3500 in the near future, paired with an Xeon X5687. Both models were launched around the same time, so they share similar 32nm manufacturing processes and comparable clock speeds. The main distinction I noticed is that the Xeon includes a 12MB cache compared to the 8MB on the i7. However, the Xeon doesn't support AVX instructions. Someone here, could you let me know which option would perform better in real-world scenarios? Also, the motherboard supports six RAM slots, which means it can run Triple Channel. I'm thinking of installing four 4GB modules for a total of 16GB at 1600MHz. Would it be feasible to use triple channel with those configurations? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
The Xeon seems better for multithreading while the i7 shines in singlethread tasks. Regarding memory, four units isn't a multiple of three—either use three 12GB sticks or invest more for 24GB total.
Oh well, the prices you're seeing are similar, but the upgrade from your old i7 to the new Xeon might still offer improvements. The extra RAM and faster components could make a noticeable difference in performance, especially for multitasking or running demanding applications.
Evaluate whether reducing your RAM to 12GB offers noticeable benefits for Triple Channel and bandwidth, or if the gains are minimal compared to other factors.
The gap between Westmere-EP and Sandy Bridge is significant. Sandy offers superior IPC and AVX capabilities. Triple channel memory (supporting 4 sticks in flex mode) won’t bridge this gap. You also have the option to use a 6-core processor on the T3500 if threads are essential. AVX and IPC are the key distinctions. Performance will drop noticeably in single-core or AVX-dependent tasks.