XEON Server CPU's

[Steve R Jones]

I looked around for a "lay persons" guide but didn't find one.... I'm going to be ordering a pair of servers from the data center we use.

One machine will be a terminal server (65 users) and host our large accounting package. The other server will run Sybase and hold the data.

Here are three of the many cpu's I can order. I first one is what I've order in the past. The 2nd 3rd are what our largest client uses. (they actually use two of the #2 machines as TS machines)

1) $179.00 - Single Processor Quad Core Xeon 3460 - 2.80GHz (Lynnfield) - 1 x 8MB cache w/HT

2) $259.00 - Single Processor Quad Core Xeon 5335 - 2.00GHz (Clovertown) - 1 x 8MB cache

3) $299.00 - Single Processor Quad Core Xeon 5410 - 2.33GHz (Harpertown) - 1 x 12MB cache

So, the six million dollar question is what is so special about a Harpertown CPU to command the extra $120 per month? (in english please)

Thanks in advance for any thoughts and suggestions.

[SoloCamo]

Don't know too much about those particular CPU's, but I know the bump of the cache will play a very nice performance boost in that atmostphere. Most CPU's with over 10mbs of cache are rather pricey, so judging on that assumption alone, all things being equal the price difference does not surprise me.

[Steve R Jones]

Thanks for the reply... It's the old "Best Bang for the Buck" issue... Sure - the better the equiptment the happier everyone is... But there has to be a point where more power won't be noticed.

We currently use a cpu that is a little smaller then the #1 cpu - with a 32bit OS and 4 gigs of ram. The machines act as the TS and Data server and performance is fine for 20 to 35 users.

[SoloCamo]

Thanks for the reply... It's the old "Best Bang for the Buck" issue... Sure - the better the equiptment the happier everyone is... But there has to be a point where more power won't be noticed.

We currently use a cpu that is a little smaller then the #1 cpu - with a 32bit OS and 4 gigs of ram. The machines act as the TS and Data server and performance is fine for 20 to 35 users.

No problem. Did a bunch of searching on google and everyone keeps pointing to the 5410 as the best bang for the buck ofr the performance it offers, albeit they were looking at a wider range of cpu's as well. If the budget allows it, go for it, other than that I don't see any of them being a problem per se, but of course you said it yourself, better performance happier people.

The extra cache will definitely help though

[MTAtech]

These are my new servers: HP ProLiant BL460c G7 Server series, which use up to two (2) two-, four-,or six-core Intel® Xeon® 5500 or 5600 series processor.

Still in the boxes waiting to be installed but I expect them to be blazing.

[GroundZero3]

the HP G7s are sweet MTAtech

[MTAtech]

the HP G7s are sweet MTAtech

I just bought 12 new ones plus a NetApps array.