With the same architecture of a regular desktop CPU, Xeon processors are highly popular due to some of the advanced features such as higher core counts, support for larger amounts of RAM, larger cache memory and Machine Check Architecture which is capable of providing enterprise-grade reliability, availability and serviceability features responsible for handling hardware exceptions.
We will now answer some of the most popular questions on Xeon processors and its performance.
Is Xeon processor good for gaming?
A game server requires a fast processor, frequency, and reliability and hence Xeon processors have always been highly popular users especially the gamers because of the higher core count potential. They are also high performing when you compare the price against the Core i7 in terms of the total computing power of all cores.
Does Intel Xeon have integrated graphics?
Xeon processors do not support onboard graphics and you would have to buy a graphics card. Although, a thing to be noted here is that the onboard graphics is not supported by some games. In that case, a graphics card needs to be installed in addition to the onboard graphics in the i7 processors anyway. Hence, Xeon can be much more effective that way.
Is Intel Xeon better than i7, i9 series?
Overclocking is a feature which enables the user to run at higher clock speeds than recommended. This feature is available in Core i5 or i7 processors but not in Xeon processors. However, the voltage and the bios setting of the processor have to be set accordingly or it could lead to damage. With the help of overclocking, you can attain more processor speed and hence increase your productivity.
Do I need a Xeon processor?
Intel XEON has a 1MB L2 cache that’s 16-way associative but has higher (13 cycles) latency. Less L3 cache is integrated per core (1.375MB), the cache is 11-way set associative instead of 16-way, it has a 77 cycle latency (up from 44), and it’s a non-inclusive cache. Intel’s use of very large L3 caches in previous Broadwell and Skylake-S chips mitigated this issue by providing a large absolute amount of cache space.
So if you are into Deep learning/Machine learning which involves high-end processing units, Xeon processors can prove just the right thing for you.
How to overclock Xeon?
Xeon processors lack support for overclocking. This is one of the shortcomings that make Xeon processors unsuitable for most consumer-grade desktop PCs.
Who is Intel Xeon processor's competitor and how does it perform?
AMD’s EPYC 7000 series performance is surprisingly excellent compared with Intel Xeon. There are several reasons for this, but a number of them come down to various aspects of AVX and its impact on turbo clocks. For the last few product cycles, Intel has publicly stated that its Turbo Mode frequency figures depend on whether AVX is active, with non-AVX clocks being substantially lower. Intel’s Xeon 8176 has a non-AVX 28-core maximum turbo frequency of 2.8GHz, an AVX 2.0 28-core maximum turbo frequency of 2.4GHz, and an AVX-512 28-core maximum turbo frequency of just 1.9GHz.
AMD has a significant advantage in base price; the top-end EPYC 7601 (180W TDP) is a 32-core chip with a 2.2GHz base / 3.2GHz max clock speed and a $4,200 price tag. Whereas Intel’s Xeon 8180 is a 28-core chip with a 2.5 – 3.8GHz max clock and a $10,009 price tag
Why is Intel Xeon so expensive?
Intel XEON shows some formidable performance gains of its own, has a better scaling mesh topology, and the stronger overall level of performance. Xeon processors are for non-consumer high-performance computing, often used in servers, and are optimized for such. For example, see that the Xeon processor can handle around 1.5TB of RAM.
A Xeon processor typically doesn't just have more cores. These processors also have much larger caches (37.5 MB in your case) and have ECC memory support. In addition, the processor you selected is designed for servers capable of scaling up to eight (!) sockets. These are not cheap features to develop, test, and enable.
Xeon Processors are equipped with extra die space needed for the larger cache for providing higher effective bandwidth and lower average latency to main memory. These are highly important for mission-critical business applications and significantly increases the manufacturing cost of the processor.
Why Xeon processors are a better choice for workstation and servers?
Xeon processors are qualified to handle heavier, more intensive loads day in and day out. For the serious workstation user, this can translate to better longevity over i7 counterparts. If your applications require as many CPU cores as possible, Xeon is what you need. The new Xeon v4 processors max out at 18 cores (36 after Hyperthreading) whereas even the new Broadwell-E i7-6950X has just ten. Multi-CPU configurations are also only possible with Xeon.
These are some of the reasons why we at Psychz Networks strongly recommend the use of Xeon Processors for dedicated servers.
Conclusion
So, the answer to what is best for you largely depends on what you’ll be using your workstation or server for and the budget that you are comfortable spending. If you’re into high-end usage like 3d designing and rendering, deep/machine learning where the benefits of ECC RAM, more cache, and possible dual CPUs are advantageous, we strongly recommend Xeon processors.
