ka_inc
asked on
Is this processor worth the extra cost?
I'm looking to configure a desktop for Revit, a BIM application. Unfortunately I have a limited budget. A large cost savings can be in the processor. I'm looking at the difference between Intel Xeon X5647 and Intel Xeon E3-1245. There is a difference in the Clock Speed, Bus/Core Ratio, a HUGE difference in Max Memory Size and different sockets supported.
http://ark.intel.com/compare/52580,52274
The processor is the major configuration difference between a Dell T550 and Dell T1600. (Same RAM, video card and hard drive configuration) The T5500 estimate cost is $4500 while the T1600 is $2000. Is the processor worth the cost difference?
Thank you
http://ark.intel.com/compare/52580,52274
The processor is the major configuration difference between a Dell T550 and Dell T1600. (Same RAM, video card and hard drive configuration) The T5500 estimate cost is $4500 while the T1600 is $2000. Is the processor worth the cost difference?
Thank you
I'd probably go for the E3-1245, unless you really need the power of the other Processor. There are a couple of advantages of the E3-1245, it has integrated Graphics, and it uses less power, so in the long run it conserves the environment and Power consumption.
SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
CPU benchmark is pretty useless unless you're performing vector graphics calculations, real world apps that aren't doing heavy duty maths aren't generally that reliant on CPU speed but on amount of RAM and I/O.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
ASKER
Thank you for your input. They were very helpful.
I have tested several configurations for Revit and found that it's a balance between the CPU, Video Card, and RAM. We are getting 16GB of RAM, (tried 24 GB RAM - didn't make a significant difference in a test for the cost) and have a CAD recommended video card (tried the Quadro 4000 and 2000 - the 2000 works just as well as the 4000), it was the CPU with the BUS, Sockets, Clock Speed etc that had me stumped. We are trying the Xeon E3-1245 because of it's onboard video capacity. My Revit guru found that Revit uses cpu for when in view while it uses the video card when rendering. Since most of the time is spend in view, we decided to explore this option.
If it was one or two, I would not hesitate but we are a small company looking to purchase a couple of dozen. The cost difference is significant for us.
Again thanks to everyone for your imput.
I have tested several configurations for Revit and found that it's a balance between the CPU, Video Card, and RAM. We are getting 16GB of RAM, (tried 24 GB RAM - didn't make a significant difference in a test for the cost) and have a CAD recommended video card (tried the Quadro 4000 and 2000 - the 2000 works just as well as the 4000), it was the CPU with the BUS, Sockets, Clock Speed etc that had me stumped. We are trying the Xeon E3-1245 because of it's onboard video capacity. My Revit guru found that Revit uses cpu for when in view while it uses the video card when rendering. Since most of the time is spend in view, we decided to explore this option.
If it was one or two, I would not hesitate but we are a small company looking to purchase a couple of dozen. The cost difference is significant for us.
Again thanks to everyone for your imput.
Detailed knowledge of the "Revit" app is needed by the looks of it, I can't help there, I just know that cpubenchmark.com only tests one parameter of the half dozen you need to make the decision.