CyberDog3K
asked on
Pentium 4 vs Xeon
I'm wondering if somebody could lay down a simple outline of the differences between the current Pentium 4 branch and Xeon processors. I'd don't want a link to a whitepaper, nor statements of opinion. To better understand what information I'm trying to gather, here's my reason for asking:
I'm coming to the point of being in the market for a new desktop processor/motherboard combo. I'm definately a power user (despite lacking much knowledge about Xeon chips), and I'm looking for the most bang for my buck. I'm fairly well aquainted already with the current Pentium 4 & AMD chips, but I'm not very familiar with either company's server focused offerings. The thing that made me curious is the new Pentium 4 EE. As I'm sure you know, the price of this particular chip is going to be extremely high. While browsing PriceWatch today, I came to the conclusion that for roughly the same price as a P4EE, you could slap together dual Xeon 2.8 chips with a mobo. This seems very odd to me, as to why anyone would invest in a P4EE when for the same cash they could be running dual server quality chips with much more brute force and dual processing to boot. Clearly, either there's aspects to the Xeon chip that demote from it's ability to perform in a desktop/workstation environment, or Intel is hoping to sucker lots of power users.
That said, I'm looking for a summary of how the two chips match up technically, and hopefully this will also explain why the P4EE would be worth what's being asked for it. As an aside, I'll also accept recommendations for the best power desktop chips available, but that's not what I'm putting the points towards here.
I'm coming to the point of being in the market for a new desktop processor/motherboard combo. I'm definately a power user (despite lacking much knowledge about Xeon chips), and I'm looking for the most bang for my buck. I'm fairly well aquainted already with the current Pentium 4 & AMD chips, but I'm not very familiar with either company's server focused offerings. The thing that made me curious is the new Pentium 4 EE. As I'm sure you know, the price of this particular chip is going to be extremely high. While browsing PriceWatch today, I came to the conclusion that for roughly the same price as a P4EE, you could slap together dual Xeon 2.8 chips with a mobo. This seems very odd to me, as to why anyone would invest in a P4EE when for the same cash they could be running dual server quality chips with much more brute force and dual processing to boot. Clearly, either there's aspects to the Xeon chip that demote from it's ability to perform in a desktop/workstation environment, or Intel is hoping to sucker lots of power users.
That said, I'm looking for a summary of how the two chips match up technically, and hopefully this will also explain why the P4EE would be worth what's being asked for it. As an aside, I'll also accept recommendations for the best power desktop chips available, but that's not what I'm putting the points towards here.
FlorenceYee
From what I heard is that Pentium 4 is targeted at desktop users and has great chipset support...i845-i875 etc. Pentium Xeon is rather workstation/server targeted since it has SMP support and BIG amount of cache (certain xeons even have L3 cache!). However, bear in mind that Pentium 4 DOES NOT support dual processor! Pentium Xeon is ideal for people who wants to run MANY applications at a time. Performance....Xeon rules...but u must be willing to pay for its hefty price tag.
I think it's worth the money to buy a Xeon especially if you're planning on upgrading to dual Processor later on. The Xeon has a bigger instruction set, the cache difference isn't that big anymore. It is faster cache. The PIV has 512kb cache, the Xeon also, but running at a higher clockspeed. note that Xeon motherboards are also more expensive and you'll have a hard time finding one wich also has an AGP port. I'm using this board at the moment:
http://www.intel.com/design/servers/se7505vb2/index.htm?iid=ipp_browse+motherbd__se7505vb2_srvr&
You should figure out for yourself if you want to pay the price.
LucF
http://www.intel.com/design/servers/se7505vb2/index.htm?iid=ipp_browse+motherbd__se7505vb2_srvr&
You should figure out for yourself if you want to pay the price.
LucF
First, when you say you're a "power user", what kind of apps are you using, and what kinds of things will you be doing? That's what determines whether or not you get the benefits of dual processors.
Tomshardware has some benchmarks on single/dual systems that is very good info: http://www6.tomshardware.com/cpu/20030422/opteron-23.html#3drendering
As far as other information goes: The P4EE is hugely overpriced, and, is basically a Xeon Processor at 3.2GHz at the 800MHz system bus if you look at the specs of it.
Tomshardware has some benchmarks on single/dual systems that is very good info: http://www6.tomshardware.com/cpu/20030422/opteron-23.html#3drendering
As far as other information goes: The P4EE is hugely overpriced, and, is basically a Xeon Processor at 3.2GHz at the 800MHz system bus if you look at the specs of it.
ASKER
To elaborate on "power user", I generally put my desktop through the full gamut of tasks. This is no email machine, I do everything from play graphics intensive video games, to software development, to editing video/audio. I have a habit of running many apps at once, though I suppose its true that the most processing power is usually devoted to whatever I happen to be working on at the given moment.
SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
CyberDog3K: Why the 'B' grades here? Were you looking for more information? I notice you've given nothing but 'B' grades so far in all your questions.
Please see the grading criteria here:
How Do I Know What Grade to Give?
Although we use an A-C scale here at Experts Exchange, it works differently than, say, school grades. If one or more Experts' proposals are accepted as answers, they should usually be given an A or B grade, since they have taken the time to provide you with a working solution. If a possible solution is incomplete - ask for clarification or details before accepting the answer and grading it. People should not be given lower grades because of incorrect grammar or because you just accepted their answer or comment to close the question. Keep in mind, your question and any follow-up comments should be focused so that there can be a specific answer. The following is a good guideline to follow when grading:
A: The Expert(s) either provided you with a thorough answer or they provided you with a link to information that thoroughly answered your question. An "A" can also be given to any answer that you found informative or enlightening beyond the direct question that you asked.
B: The Expert(s) provided an acceptable solution, or a link to an acceptable solution, that you were able to use, although you may have needed a bit more information to complete the task.
C: Because Experts' reliability are often judged by their grading records, many Experts would like the opportunity to clarify if you have questions about their solutions. If you have given the Expert(s) ample time to respond to your clarification posts and you have responded to each of their posts providing requested information; or if the answers, after clarification, lack finality or do not completely address the issue presented, then a "C" grade is an option. You also have the option here of just asking Community Support to delete the question.
Remember, the Expert helping you today is probably going to be helping you next time you post a question. Give them a fair chance to earn an 'Excellent!' grade and they'll provide you with some amazing support.
Please see the grading criteria here:
How Do I Know What Grade to Give?
Although we use an A-C scale here at Experts Exchange, it works differently than, say, school grades. If one or more Experts' proposals are accepted as answers, they should usually be given an A or B grade, since they have taken the time to provide you with a working solution. If a possible solution is incomplete - ask for clarification or details before accepting the answer and grading it. People should not be given lower grades because of incorrect grammar or because you just accepted their answer or comment to close the question. Keep in mind, your question and any follow-up comments should be focused so that there can be a specific answer. The following is a good guideline to follow when grading:
A: The Expert(s) either provided you with a thorough answer or they provided you with a link to information that thoroughly answered your question. An "A" can also be given to any answer that you found informative or enlightening beyond the direct question that you asked.
B: The Expert(s) provided an acceptable solution, or a link to an acceptable solution, that you were able to use, although you may have needed a bit more information to complete the task.
C: Because Experts' reliability are often judged by their grading records, many Experts would like the opportunity to clarify if you have questions about their solutions. If you have given the Expert(s) ample time to respond to your clarification posts and you have responded to each of their posts providing requested information; or if the answers, after clarification, lack finality or do not completely address the issue presented, then a "C" grade is an option. You also have the option here of just asking Community Support to delete the question.
Remember, the Expert helping you today is probably going to be helping you next time you post a question. Give them a fair chance to earn an 'Excellent!' grade and they'll provide you with some amazing support.
ASKER
I've given B's so far in my requests, because the responses have been B answers. Yes, the answers have *contributed* to solutions, but none of the couple solutions I've been given on here provided an ultimate solution. What's happened is I gather the information I'm given, and it points me in the right direction. I'm usually capable enough of finding my own answers once somebody gives me a good start. If an answer were to be exactly what I'd needed I wouldn't hesitate to give an A. I'm not trying to demote from anyone by giving a B. According to the EE interface, even a C is an acceptable answer...there are no "bad" accepted answers. I just dont think this should be like the EBay rating system, where everybody gets an A++++++ if they do so much as deliver the product that was requested. If people are insulted by a B, I suggest EE change the interface to point out that only A's are acceptable for working answers...
OK, that's fair, but you didn't say you wanted any more information before grading, so we weren't aware you still wanted something more. There was some good information presented here, and you did, in fact, as for a "simple outline".
If you are wanting more information, the experts need more comments and questions of you in order to provide such. I'm just asking that you give them the chance to provide more when you're looking for more, ok? Let them know you want more, and you will most likely receive it. If after letting them know you need or want more info, and it doesn't get provided, then a 'B' is certainly appropriate.
Thanks,
AlbertaBeef
EE Page Editor, Microchips/Desktops TA's.
If you are wanting more information, the experts need more comments and questions of you in order to provide such. I'm just asking that you give them the chance to provide more when you're looking for more, ok? Let them know you want more, and you will most likely receive it. If after letting them know you need or want more info, and it doesn't get provided, then a 'B' is certainly appropriate.
Thanks,
AlbertaBeef
EE Page Editor, Microchips/Desktops TA's.
What about motherboard upgrades? If I have a 1.8 gigahertz chip now, and I want to upgrade to the 2.8 chip, can I use my existing motherboard?
ASKER
I suggest opening a new question and offering some points... Nobody will want to respond to a dead topic.