Unleashing the Power: X58 vs X79 - CPU and Platform Comparison
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- The x58 Platform and its Limitations
- The x79 Platform and its Advancements
- A Closer Look at the CPUs: i7 3820 vs. Xeon X5670
- The ASUS P9X79 Pro Motherboard
- RAM Comparison: Quad Channel vs. Triple Channel
- Performance Comparison: Gaming Benchmarks
- Synthetic Benchmarks: Geekbench and Cinebench
- The Future of the x79 Platform
- Conclusion
Introduction
In the world of computer hardware, advancements are made at a rapid pace. What was once cutting-edge technology quickly becomes outdated. In this article, we will delve into the x58 and x79 platforms, comparing their features, performance, and limitations. We will also explore two CPUs, namely the i7 3820 and the Xeon X5670, to determine which one offers better performance in different scenarios. Additionally, we will take a closer look at the ASUS P9X79 Pro motherboard and compare the RAM configurations of these platforms. Finally, we will analyze gaming and synthetic benchmarks to uncover the true potential of the x79 platform. So, let's jump right in and explore the world of these two remarkable platforms!
The x58 Platform and its Limitations
The x58 platform made its debut as a revolutionary successor to previous chipsets. Offering triple-channel memory, it provided increased memory bandwidth compared to its predecessors. However, quad-channel memory was on the horizon, and enthusiasts craved even more performance. This led to the release of the x79 platform in 2011, aiming to fulfill the demands of enthusiasts by introducing the next level of memory bandwidth with quadruple-channel support. Despite this improvement, both platforms utilized DDR3 memory, albeit with the ability to handle higher frequencies in the x79 platform.
When it came to CPUs, the x79 platform boasted the introduction of the AVX instruction set. Now, let's shift our focus to two specific CPUs: the i7 3820 and the Xeon X5670.
A Closer Look at the CPUs: i7 3820 vs. Xeon X5670
The i7 3820, the lowest-clocked Intel i7 CPU for the x79 platform, caught the attention of enthusiasts with its affordability and suggested price of $305. Running at 3.6 GHz with a turbo boost of 3.8 GHz, it aimed to offer a compelling performance in comparison to the more expensive Xeon X5670, which featured a clock speed of 2.92 GHz with a turbo boost of 3.33 GHz.
To further complicate matters, the Xeon X5670 boasted six cores compared to the i7 3820's four cores. Additionally, the Xeon possessed 12 megabytes of cache, surpassing the i7's 10 megabytes. The question arises: will the two extra cores on the Xeon outweigh the newer CPU's higher instructions per clock (IPC)? Let's delve into the realm of the x79 platform and find out.
The ASUS P9X79 Pro Motherboard
Before we dive into performance comparisons, let's take a moment to appreciate the foundation of the x79 platform: the ASUS P9X79 Pro motherboard. Targeted towards enthusiasts, this motherboard is packed with features that cater to their needs. With four PCI Express slots capable of working in various configurations, including 2 x 16x or 1 x 16x with the rest at 8x, and two PCI Express 1x slots, it offers ample room for expansion. The motherboard also provides eight SATA ports, 10 external USB ports, and a high-quality audio chip. Moreover, it includes convenient on-board power and reset buttons, along with a display for error codes, making it extremely user-friendly.
RAM Comparison: Quad Channel vs. Triple Channel
One of the key differentiating factors between the x58 and x79 platforms is the memory architecture. The x58 platform utilized triple-channel memory, while the x79 platform introduced quad-channel memory support, offering even greater memory bandwidth. This provides a significant advantage in memory-intensive tasks, such as video editing and 3D rendering. To leverage this technology, we have equipped our system with four sticks of RAM, totaling 16 gigabytes. This surpasses the 12 gigabytes used in the x58 system. Although our benchmarks did not demonstrate substantial memory usage, the increased memory capacity does play a role in overall system performance.
Performance Comparison: Gaming Benchmarks
Gaming enthusiasts are always interested in the gaming capabilities of different hardware configurations. To provide an accurate comparison between the x58 and x79 platforms, we ran the same games at the same settings. Our testing resolution was set at 1680x1050 for consistency purposes.
In Tomb Raider 2013, both CPUs on the x58 platform showcased impressive frame rates. The i7 3820 on the x79 platform offered a slight performance boost of approximately 10%, surpassing the Xeon X5670.
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided presented a marginal difference in performance between the i7 3820 and the Xeon X5670. Considering the Xeon's two extra cores, it is a remarkable achievement for the i7 3820 to compete neck and neck with its older counterpart.
Moving on to Batman: Arkham Knight, the i7 3820 outperformed the Xeon X5670 by 5-10% at a lower resolution of 1280x800. However, at 1680x1050 with higher settings, the performance improvement was negligible, likely due to GPU limitations.
In Borderlands 3, we observed a consistent 10% gain from the i7 3820 at the lower resolution of 1280x800. However, once we increased the resolution and settings, the benchmark results fell within the margin of error, suggesting GPU limitations.
Synthetic Benchmarks: Geekbench and Cinebench
Synthetic benchmarks provide an objective evaluation of system performance in controlled environments. In Geekbench, which measures single-core and multi-core performance, the i7 3820 outperformed the Xeon X5670 in single-core performance, thanks to its higher clock speed and IPC. However, in multi-core performance, the Xeon still held the crown with a more than 10% advantage.
Cinebench, renowned for its multi-core rendering tests, favored the Xeon's six cores over the i7 3820's four cores. It further emphasized the dominance of the Xeon X5670 in rendering tasks, reminding us of the untapped potential of a higher-core-count CPU on the x79 platform.
The Future of the x79 Platform
As technology continues to evolve, it's inevitable to wonder about the future of the x79 platform. While our tests focused on the i7 3820 and the Xeon X5670, the x79 platform has the potential to accommodate even higher-core-count CPUs. Exploring the capabilities of a six to eight-core CPU on the x79 platform is an exciting realm yet to be fully explored.
Conclusion
In conclusion, our exploration of the x58 and x79 platforms revealed the advancements made in memory architecture, CPU performance, and motherboard features. The x79 platform, with its quad-channel memory and AVX instruction set, presented a notable improvement over its predecessor. The i7 3820 showcased commendable performance, competing admirably against the Xeon X5670 despite having fewer cores. The ASUS P9X79 Pro motherboard offered a rich feature set, catering to the needs of enthusiasts. Gaming benchmarks demonstrated modest improvements in performance, while synthetic benchmarks highlighted the rendering prowess of the Xeon X5670. The x79 platform presents ample opportunities for further exploration and can serve as a solid foundation for future advancements in CPU technology.
Highlights:
- A comparison between the x58 and x79 platforms, exploring their features and limitations.
- An in-depth analysis of the i7 3820 and the Xeon X5670 CPUs, evaluating their performance differences.
- An overview of the ASUS P9X79 Pro motherboard and its extensive features.
- A comparison between quad-channel and triple-channel RAM configurations.
- Gaming benchmarks showcasing the performance differences between the x58 and x79 platforms.
- Synthetic benchmarks, such as Geekbench and Cinebench, highlighting the CPU performance of the i7 3820 and the Xeon X5670.
- Considerations for the future of the x79 platform and potential advancements.
FAQ
Q: Can I upgrade from an x58 platform to an x79 platform?
A: Yes, it is possible to upgrade to an x79 platform from an x58 platform. However, it requires a new motherboard and compatible CPU.
Q: Does the x79 platform support higher-frequency RAM?
A: Yes, the x79 platform allows for higher RAM frequencies compared to the x58 platform, offering potential performance gains.
Q: Can the i7 3820 compete with the Xeon X5670 in rendering tasks?
A: While the i7 3820 performs admirably in gaming and general tasks, the Xeon X5670 retains its dominance in rendering tasks due to its higher core count.
Q: Are there any other motherboards compatible with the x79 platform?
A: Yes, there are several other motherboard options available for the x79 platform, each with its own unique set of features and capabilities.
Q: Is the x79 platform still Relevant in today's market?
A: While newer platforms have emerged since the release of the x79, it remains a viable option for users looking for a balance between performance and affordability.
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