e8400 v xeon 3110??

[desolation777]

Can anyone tell me the differences between these two chips?

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Not much, the x3110 is basically an E8400 with support for a couple of obscure features used in servers l

I'm sure someone will come along and elaborate

 

[QuixoticOne]

In theory there are no significant differences other than the marking of the chip.
Electrically they function the same.
In software they function the same.
The same exact chip is used to make both.

Some say they sort them a little differently in terms of the allowed VID voltage for one versus the other, but that probably doesn't matter much since with any given single CPU you have no idea of what the VID is going to be anyway and it varies over a wide range, so for the most part the two chips span most of the same possible range of voltages coming from the factory.

Some say that they may do some firmware level tweaks to some of the chip's algorithms that can make the xeon more well 'tuned' to perform for typical server type software operating software, and the desktop model gets slightly different algorithms to tune it to work best for average desktop types of operating software. Things like memory prefetching stragegies etc. Things that don't work perfectly one way or another, it's just sort of a best guess / compromise about what is probably most often a good guess even though you're always going to guess wrong a good percentage of the time depending on the software in use. Personally I've seen no credible backup to suggest that there ARE such differences in firmware/microcode level 'tuning' between the chips. I've seen no credible claims of anyone being able to tell the two chips apart in benchmarks because of these rumored differences, though some people claim that the xeon performed 3% worse on some 'desktop/gaming' oriented benchmark of some sort, but AFAICT that is just a rumor until I see the hard data about the test methodology and repeatibility of the results they get and how often such a difference even manifests itself etc. It could just be a rumor or the result of bad testing methods or software bugs in the actual OS or program and nothing to do with the CPU.

In any case they're to a high degree of approximation equivalent.

http://processorfinder.intel.c...tails.aspx?sSpec=SLAPL
http://processorfinder.intel.c...tails.aspx?sSpec=SLAPM

 

[desolation777]

thanks quix. does anyone know what socket the chip is?

 

[QuixoticOne]

Originally posted by: desolation777
thanks quix. does anyone know what socket the chip is?

Same exact package, the normal "Socket 775" LGA775 motherboards that are common for most other Intel desktop processors. This Xeon isn't like some other models which have a different socket / motherboard requirement than the desktop CPUs.

 

[desolation777]

thanks again man. any suggestions for a mobo with sli that supports this processor?

 

[QuixoticOne]

Originally posted by: desolation777
thanks again man. any suggestions for a mobo with sli that supports this processor?

I don't know. I usually like ASUS motherboards, so I'd start with their newest series of ones.

ASUS Striker II Formula?
http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=3267

Or EVGA's 780i chipset reference board?


I don't much like NVIDIA chipsets for motherboards myself, they seem buggy and poorly supported with drivers (especially in LINUX, but also Windows) compared to Intel's chipsets.
Unfortunately you're pretty much stuck with NVIDIA chipsets for SLI, so you have limited choices.

 

[Dadofamunky]

I know, the new Xeon LGA 775 chips are a nice alternative. I wouldn't turn my nose up at one of those, nosiree.

 

[bfdd]

Originally posted by: QuixoticOne

Originally posted by: desolation777
thanks again man. any suggestions for a mobo with sli that supports this processor?

I don't know. I usually like ASUS motherboards, so I'd start with their newest series of ones.

ASUS Striker II Formula?
http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=3267

Or EVGA's 780i chipset reference board?


I don't much like NVIDIA chipsets for motherboards myself, they seem buggy and poorly supported with drivers (especially in LINUX, but also Windows) compared to Intel's chipsets.
Unfortunately you're pretty much stuck with NVIDIA chipsets for SLI, so you have limited choices.

After owning a EVGA 680i and now owning an XFX 780i I'd suggest the XFX version, no stepup but they have a really good warrenty and the packaging and contents are some of the best I've ever seen with a motherboard. Working great for me too

 

[alfa147x]

I would go with the GA-P35-DS3L i love the board so much im glad i got it

 

[TheJian]

Originally posted by: desolation777
Can anyone tell me the differences between these two chips?

The worst E3110 chip voltage you will get is 1.225v. The worst E8400 chip voltage you will get is 1.36v. The E3110 is better binned. Because they are based on the same process they will max out at the same mhz usually. However, more often than not the E3110 will do it with less voltage and heat because of the lower volts out of the box. Can I get a good E8400? Yes. Can I get a BAD E3110. NO. I'll always get at worst 1.225v. IF your desktop goes down, only you care. IF your company server goes down, potentially the entire company is pissed. That's why they're binned better.

See this thread:
http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2167742&enterthread=y

Rather than retyping it all the differences are in there. Pretty much says the same.

www.excaliberpc.com has them for sale $229.

 

[TheJian]

Originally posted by: alfa147x
I would go with the GA-P35-DS3L i love the board so much im glad i got it

Agreed, but it can't do SLI. I love my P35-DS3R, my sisters DS3L, and hopefully my dads EP35-DS3R that just arrived But again, it can't do SLI if that's what he really wants he'll need Nvidia based chipset.

 

[tallman45]

A Xeon processor is designed to be run in an environment that potentially could stress a CPU at 100% for extended periods of time and typically in enclosured not nearly as air flow friendly as what many of us use at home. So lower, heat production, lower power consumption, and tolerance of both, even to a very minor degree is greatly beneficial when a large scale system is in play

Additionally users who have large server farms will see a cost savings if each of their very many processors use even the smallest amount less in power

In a single user environment there is likely no difference ever going to be seen, perhaps a few $ a year in power savings (at best). Run 3 or 4 hundred in a serevr farm and thats well $1k a year, so economies of scale are at play here

 

[TheJian]

Originally posted by: tallman45
A Xeon processor is designed to be run in an environment that potentially could stress a CPU at 100% for extended periods of time and typically in enclosured not nearly as air flow friendly as what many of us use at home. So lower, heat production, lower power consumption, and tolerance of both, even to a very minor degree is greatly beneficial when a large scale system is in play

Additionally users who have large server farms will see a cost savings if each of their very many processors use even the smallest amount less in power

In a single user environment there is likely no difference ever going to be seen, perhaps a few $ a year in power savings (at best). Run 3 or 4 hundred in a serevr farm and thats well $1k a year, so economies of scale are at play here

For us though as a single user it means overclocking like mad and not lighting a fire in our PC while doing it

We'll likely need less volts to get to the same place on E8400. Maybe that just gets us a cheaper cooler. Or the same one but running seriously cooler temps which means longer life. Many benefits no matter how you look at it. If available always get a E3110 first (unless it doesn't work in your board that is...LOL). Also E3110 is cheaper right now by about $70. Last INSTOCK price I saw for E8400 was $300 boxed (pricewatch today). Why pay that when places like excaliberpc and allstarshop have them for $50-65 less and with better volts most likely.

But yeah I agree with all your server statements. We're just lucky the server version run in our home motherboards.

 

[TemjinGold]

I just ordered the E3110 and the DS3L mobo. Just wanted to make sure I got this right: All I have to do is drop the chip in and it will work fine (like an e8400), right? No bios flashes or anything else weird? And for all my games and programs, it'll work just like an e8400?

 

[BlueAcolyte]

The DS3L supports the 45nm with a BIOS update. You may or may not have to flash the BIOS, but hopefully, it will boot up long enough to do so if you don't have the right bios.