Using a Xeon as a desktop CPU

[FrozenStorm]

How practical is it to use something like a Xeon E3-1240 in a regular gaming desktop? Would I have to use ECC memory or a special server motherboard? How much better is it than, say, and i5-2500k?

 

[RyanGreener]

You can't overclock on server motherboards...so I don't see why you would do this. In the past, you could use server/Xeon chips in LGA 775 and 1156 motherboards which allowed them to overclock like crazy, but past that socket I'm pretty sure there was no point.

 

[FrozenStorm]

You can't overclock on server motherboards...so I don't see why you would do this. In the past, you could use server/Xeon chips in LGA 775 and 1156 motherboards which allowed them to overclock like crazy, but past that socket I'm pretty sure there was no point.

Are they not more powerful than regular desktop CPUs regardless? That's the main reason I'm considering it.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Are they not more powerful than regular desktop CPUs regardless? That's the main reason I'm considering it.

No. They tend to support features (like hardware virtualization or hyperthreading) which lower-end desktop CPUs are locked out of (even though the architecture might support it.)

But it should perform identically to a desktop CPU (i5 or i7) with the same specs. (MHz, cores, cache size, etc.)

The CPU you linked It's basically an underclocked i7 2600, or a i5-2500 with Hyperthreading support. However you want to think of it. (And it doesn't have on-package graphics.)

I'm not sure if the Xeon is worth $265 when the 2500 has turbo boost for $210 and the 2600 has higher clocks and hyperthreading for $310.

I'd probably go with the i5-2500 for my needs/purposes and spend the $50 on RAM instead.

 

[IntelUser2000]

I'm not sure if the Xeon is worth $265 when the 2500 has turbo boost for $210 and the 2600 has higher clocks and hyperthreading for $310.

The E3-1240 does have Turbo Mode though. The CPU specifications are better than the 2500 with 8MB cache and Hyperthreading. So the $260 pricing fits perfectly between the 2500 and 2600.

The two problems I can see are ECC and unlocked multipliers. The Xeons won't have unlocked multipliers, and even if you run at stock, will you need ECC supporting motherboards?

 

[jhu]

The E3-1240 does have Turbo Mode though. The CPU specifications are better than the 2500 with 8MB cache and Hyperthreading. So the $260 pricing fits perfectly between the 2500 and 2600.

The two problems I can see are ECC and unlocked multipliers. The Xeons won't have unlocked multipliers, and even if you run at stock, will you need ECC supporting motherboards?

I don't think ECC memory is necessary for that chip.

 

[IntelUser2000]

How practical is it to use something like a Xeon E3-1240 in a regular gaming desktop? Would I have to use ECC memory or a special server motherboard? How much better is it than, say, and i5-2500k?

It looks like the support depends on the vendor.

Well, the 2500K is unlocked so you can overclock the CPU while the Xeon is locked so you can't.