Thread: Need some Socket 604 Xeon Experts

I picked up a Precision 670 on the cheap to just play around and i need some advice. It has a single 3.6Ghz 1M Xeon SL7PH and i'm trying to decide to either upgrade to Dual 3.8Ghz Xeon 2M SL7ZB's OR Dual 2.8Ghz 2 X 2M Dual Core Xeon SL8MA's. Which one will perform better? The higher clocked 3.8Ghz Xeon's or the lower clocked dual 2.8Ghz Xeon's?

I would suggest the dual cores, somewhat higher clocked single cores. For multithreaded apps, the dual cores should execute superior.

So you are asking which of the subsequent 2 is the "best":
• two (2) single core 3.8GHz Xeon
• two (2) dual core 2.8GHz Xeon

If so, the reply would most likely the same as all the "E8400 vs Q6600" questions. What will you do with that machine?

File storage as well as burning of CD's and DVD's generally. Right now it has 4 36GB 15K SCSI's in Raid 0 as well as that will be added too with a 32GB Patriot SSD for the OS. I plan on storing all of my Itunes as well as other video items on this workstation

I'd go with the higher clock cpu's. Unless you are doing actually resource concentrated stuff. Given these are your only selection.

Also, don't expect the system to be all that much quicker then it already is for normal things. Just expect it to run smoother as well as steadier. If you switch to the dual cores you'll most likely notice the system isn't as quick but a lot more steady. Not really worth it...

Take your pick.

Why use SCSI for storage? Aren't those drives exclusive, noisy with limited in space? Also, raid 0 lessens access times on regular HD’s particularly when using more then three drives. Raid 0 with large regular Sata drives get the job done superior.

IMO, both system will be capable to handle the load just very well, it seems to be very light load anyhow. With more total cores (2x2 vs. 2x1), you will be capable to do more tasks at the similar time as well as the system will run easily, but the tasks may run a bit slower. With only 2 cores running quicker, the some tasks may complete quicker, but you will not be capable to run as many at the same time.

If you plan on doing media encoding (like ripping CDs to mp3 as well as DVDs to DivX/XviD), then the 2xdual core 2.8GHz will probably best as lots of encoders are multi-threaded.

Then again, how much would the upgrade cost you, because I'm pretty sure an i7 920 could beat that system for multimedia tasks?