Xeon vs Core 2 (Quad)

[rlculver]

Hi,

What is the main difference between a Xeon processor and a Core 2 (Quad).

Thanks

 

[Pilky01]

Nothing.

 

[rlculver]

Great

So why do Intel do a Xeon Processor?

Thanks

 

[OrphanBoy]

Multiprocessing...
With the exception of Skulltrail, you can't stick several consumer CPUs together to get a multi-chip box. Xeon is the workstation line that allows you to do this.

 

[Alexrose1uk]

Xeon is the server range in general, so support a couple of server-useful features over home chips, nothing really that useful for the home user.

 

[Tetras]

What is the main difference between a Xeon processor and a Core 2 (Quad)

In socket LGA775 format, not a lot (X3350 = Q9450, X3360 = Q9550).

 

[reflux]

Apparently the prefetchers on the Xeons are tuned for server apps instead of consumer apps, but that didn't stop me getting one.

 

[nightmare99]

Apparently the prefetchers on the Xeons are tuned for server apps instead of consumer apps, but that didn't stop me getting one.

Thats purely speculation, its the same chip with a different name. It allows Intel to easily track how many uni processor servers they are selling (until somebody shouts "OMFG these Xeons clock 5x better than the C2Q/D equiv" lol )

 

[rlculver]

Hi,

All noted. Thanks

So the benefits will only been seen on a Server based OS?

A Core 2 Quad and a Xeon will perform the same on a Windows XP Pro / Vista install?

Thanks

 

[Quixote]

It's not that. Doesn't matter what OS you use. There is (may be?) a very slight optimisation for different tasks (according to Intel). We're talking in the 1-5% range. For all intents and purposes equivelent models can be considered identical. Xeons may have different stock cooling solutions (I've seen them offered with passive / active options). They may have a more stringent binning process (Not sure). That's the socket 775 ones. The 2 way, 4 way etc obviously support multiple sockets.

 

[OrphanBoy]

Yeah the operating system doesn't matter (within reason) it's the CPU configuration. At work I have two 2-way Xeon machines, both running Windows XP. I don't run server-y programs, it's just that when our machines were bought, dual core CPUs weren't popular.

 

[Big.Wayne]

Apparently the prefetchers on the Xeons are tuned for server apps instead of consumer apps, but that didn't stop me getting one.

Thats purely speculation, its the same chip with a different name. It allows Intel to easily track how many uni processor servers they are selling (until somebody shouts "OMFG these Xeons clock 5x better than the C2Q/D equiv" lol )

I read multiple times what reflux has stated, Xeons have a few tweaks that lend themselves to server related tasks so apparently they are a little slower at gaming?

Without sitting down with a sample of both chips and testing them myself I can only go on what I read. The only real enthusiasts I know that use Xeons are into Folding@Home and video editing and stuff like that, don't know any 3DMark nut or Pro gamer that uses one?

 

[Jokester]

Benchmarkers prefer the Xeons for some benchmarks because they're faster in those benchmarks for the reasons reflux states, but the difference is pretty tiny.

 

[Chimerical]

I read multiple times what reflux has stated, Xeons have a few tweaks that lend themselves to server related tasks so apparently they are a little slower at gaming?

Yeah, the real benefits of Xeons is the Server grade motherboards and dual CPU/Socket setup, like on my Mac Pro.

Obviously they could do that with Socket 775 but that would probably equate to bad business (unless there is something fundamentally different about 775 & 771 other than pin count).

The prefetchers on Xeons are coded differently, to as much as a 15% difference in performance apparently (in whatever specific apps, Final Cut or something).