Server processors are of little interest to owners of personal computers, because the crystals in this segment have a completely different task related to mathematical calculations and working with databases. The unrealistically high cost and our own platform, in addition, completely relieve the potential buyer from thinking about purchasing and installing processors from the corporate segment.
In fact, the manufacturer of computer equipment is simply not interested in allowing ordinary users to install server solutions for themselves, because this will undermine the company's policy and suspend sales of new equipment. In this article, the reader will meet with one interesting representative of the corporate segment, which can compete with expensive crystals. It's about the XEON E5450 processor. Overview, characteristics, description and user reviews will help the reader to better know the representative of the corporate segment.
Specifications
The processor is designed to be installed in socket 771, which is reserved by Intel for multiprocessor platforms. For XEON E5450, the performance characteristics are slightly different from Pentium 4 crystals and their analogs intended for installation in a 775 socket. Four cores, implemented separately on the same platform (like Core Quad), operate at a frequency of 3 GHz. The operating frequency of the bus corresponds to 1333 MHz.
Of the indicators, only the processor memory cache is allocated, it is 12 megabytes (for the second level). Support for a 64-bit platform, 80 W heat dissipation and support for all the instructions necessary for the server to work complement the general idea of the XEON E5450 chip.
CPU Features
The reader has already noticed several cardinal differences between the representative of the server platform and the processors intended for installation in a personal computer. A crystal with four cores operates at a frequency of 3 GHz, while a home representative, even in a top-end design, is limited to a threshold of 2.9 GHz. The bus performance indicator is also interesting - 1333 MHz for most users of a personal computer is achieved only by overclocking. And then in most cases, the frequency threshold is 1066 MHz.
The heat dissipation, which does not exceed 100 watts, is also pleasing. Naturally, the user may want to overclock the Intel XEON E5450 processor. There will be no limit to the enthusiast's surprise when he passes the psychological barrier without problems and stops at 4.1 GHz. However, before overclocking, it is necessary to solve the problem with cooling, since the crystal has a temperature limit (70 degrees Celsius), after which automatic protection is triggered, and the server processor shuts down.
Comparison with analogues
Naturally, all users eagerly want to match the server chip with some well-known product. For example, XEON E5450 vs Core Quad Q6800. At least all users of the platform on socket 775 consider the Q6800 processor a performance standard that fits well with the price-quality criterion. However, experts in the field of IT technologies recommend that enthusiasts raise the bar much higher and look for a representative of Intel Core I5 for comparison.
Yes, the server processor of the last generation without much difficulty in performance will leave behind not only all the multi-core representatives of AMD, but also its older counterparts Core I3. It is this feature of the crystal that attracts many users who have long wanted to increase the performance of their computer, but do not have enough funds to switch to a new platform.
Professional use
Crystal Intel XEON E5450 will be useful primarily to experts in the field of video processing and creating models in 3D. There is enough processor power to perform the most complex tasks. If we compare with other processors on the socket 775 platform, then the performance gain can be estimated as follows:
- Pentium 4 platform with one core is 20 times slower;
- dual core representative Dual Core inferior 15 times;
- Core 2 Duo crystal with a core frequency of more than 2.6 GHz is 10 times slower than the XEON E5450;
- 4-core Core Quad representative inferior to the server representative 5 times.
Performance measurements were carried out by experts using applications for processing and encoding video in FullHD format. The well-known programs of Sony Vegas and Pinnacle Studio are involved. There is no doubt that in the processing of 3D objects the difference in performance will not differ much.
Potential in gaming applications
Many enthusiasts believe that games for the XEON E5450 processor will not become a stumbling block. After all, the server chip has proved worthy in working with resource-intensive applications. It’s true, but there are a few points that fans of dynamic modern toys should pay attention to. Firstly, to quickly exchange application information with the processor, it is necessary to make the RAM work at the same frequency with the chip (1333 MHz). A video adapter can also become a weak point in the system, the potential of which is simply not enough for the full operation of the entire system.
For a gaming computer based on a server processor, experts set the minimum requirements for video adapters: Geforce GTX 580 and Radeon HD 5970. Graphic accelerators with lower performance will slow down the operation of the entire system. Do not forget about the hard drive. It's time to build gaming platforms based on SSD solid state drives.
Real numbers
Naturally, all users, especially those who like resource-intensive modern games, want to see the performance of the XEON E5450 crystal in action. For comparison, two identical platforms were created by enthusiasts: 4 GB of Hynix 1333 MHz RAM, MSI G41M-P26 motherboard, Kingston HyperX 120Gb SSD and Gainward GTX 580 video adapter. The platforms differed only in processors. The server chip was mapped to the Core Quad Q6800. In GTA5, FarCry4, Witcher 3, Mortal Kombat X, Fallout 4 gaming applications, system performance has increased almost 3 times (from 20-25 FPS to 60-70 frames per second).
Such indicators prompted enthusiasts to think about comparing the server solution for the socket 771 platform with a more efficient next-generation processor - Intel Core I5 2500K. The results were stunning - XEON E5450 lost to the representative of the 1155 socket line only 5-7%! The weak point in the system, as practice has shown, is the amount of RAM - 4 GB is clearly not enough for demanding games.
Physical platform differences
The XEON E5450 processor, designed for installation in socket 771, has some differences from the representative of Intel Pentium 4, intended for installation in socket 775. Firstly, we are talking about two contacts that the manufacturer swapped to exclude interchangeability of processors. The problem is fixed in several ways: the legs on the motherboard are soldered or a special adapter is used to change the socket.
The second nuisance is the lack of additional grooves on the server processor for installation in socket 775. The problem can also be solved in two ways: the grooves on the processor are sawn through or the limiters on the motherboard break out. The second way is safer.
Software Platform Compatibility
Before you start searching for the XEON E5450 processor in the domestic market, you need to understand whether it is compatible with the motherboard available to the user. The fact is that Intel, when issuing chips, created some restrictions that apply not only to the base frequencies of operation, but also to heat dissipation. All motherboards created on chips of the “P” and “G” series, as well as nForce 7-series platforms, support the work with the server processor at the hardware level.
Not all motherboards can “know” what kind of processor Intel XEON E5450 is, even if at the hardware level this chip is supported by the chip. The problem is that some motherboard manufacturers have their own limitation, which they used to maintain the temperature in the system. So, manufacturers Foxconn, MSI and Gigabyte limited the installation of processors with four cores operating at frequencies above 2.66 GHz at the BIOS firmware level. Accordingly, before buying, users are advised to familiarize themselves with the specification of the motherboard on the manufacturer’s official website.
Finding a solution
Having received the input data on the performance of the Intel XEON E5450 server processor, the user will certainly study the offers on the domestic market, and after a while he will be disappointed by the lack of new crystals in retail. Yes, the platform is outdated and has long been discontinued, so the secondary market will help find the right solution. The cost of such a processor ranges from 2-4 thousand rubles.
The new crystal can be purchased at foreign online auctions. The cost of such processors is not much different from the offers on the Russian market, however, foreigners offer their goods with slight modifications. The server processor is already bored for socket 775 and has an appropriate adapter.
Cooling system
No need to think that the undemanding power supply XEON E5450 crystal does not need a decent cooler. The fact is that an economical processor is not only sensitive to overheating, but is also able to turn off the entire computer when the operating temperature is exceeded. After all, it is a server processor, and it is responsible for data safety and its own security, so the user should consider purchasing a decent cooling system.
IT experts recommend a closer look at low-cost Intel solutions. All versions of the BOX of Intel Pentium 4 processors have a decent cooler in the kit, which is designed to cool crystals with heat up to 125 watts. Such a solution will be quite enough even for overclocking the crystal to 4 GHz.
Finally
The XEON E5450 server solution is not only an alternative to improving your computer by moving to a new platform. Here it is more about saving the user’s money, because he is offered an unusual solution, which, along with increasing computer performance, can save a large amount of money. Yes, the transition is not easy and requires physical interventions in the processor. But it’s worth it to enjoy the comfortable operation of the system in the next few years, without thinking about a possible modernization, which requires significant financial costs.
True, many potential buyers have a lot of work to do before creating the platform of their dreams. The usual shopping trip here is not enough. First you need to make sure that the processor of the motherboard is supported. After that, to solve the installation problem, and the improvement of other components of the computer plays an important role here.