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There is no doubt that this is a crazy system build, delivering ludicrous performance results when paired up with specific software packages.
As we already knew beforehand, this system is completely overkill for a gaming rig and it is definitely a better move to invest in multiple graphics cards and a less expensive Core i7 3770k with 8GB of 2,666mhz memory. For a fraction of the price.
Intel have a wide range of Xeon E5's currently available and today we reviewed the two flagship models, which not coincidentally also consume the most power. Two of these when tasked at 100% consume around 430 Watts.
That is before you even consider installing a high end graphics card (or more) for the latest Direct X 11 games.
The review also shows a current limitation of many software packages. The newest version of Cyberlink Mediaespresso crashed constantly when starting an encoding task (above image). Many other software packages don't even use the secondary processor at all, and a wider range utilise only a percentage of overall processor time. This allows a processor such as the Intel Core i7 3960X Extreme Edition to claim back a lot of performance deficit, particularly when overclocked.
Adobe Photoshop still only uses several cores for their filtering algorithms, so the massive power on tap from the 2687W's is barely touched. This program responds much better to a large amount of fast memory with a tweaked system bus and overclocked processor. The Core i7 3770k performs particularly well in Adobe Photoshop for instance with 2,666mhz memory, especially when overclocked to 4.8ghz.
We did find the 2687W slightly faster than the 3960X at reference speeds in Adobe Photoshop, possibly due to the fatter level 3 cache.
The main strength for the Xeon E5 2687W when configured in a pair, is with 3D rendering programs such as 3D Studio Max and Cinema 4D.
The insane memory bandwidth and 32 core processing power allowed our build today to pull out way ahead of the other flagship systems we benchmarked against. An overclocked i7 3960X Extreme Edition manages to break the 14 point barrier in Cinebench for instance, but it still feels positively pedestrian when compared against the staggering 25.41 points we achieved with two Xeon E5 2687W's.
The Asus Z9 PE-D8 WS is a fantastic motherboard that is supplied fully loaded with 14 SATA ports, and dual x16 bandwidth PCI-e performance, if an ultra high end Crossfire or SLI system is important. The board will in fact support a x8/x8/x8/x8 configuration, if you want to play around with QUAD Nvidia or AMD configurations.
As stated earlier in the review, we had planned to focus on the EVGA Classified SR-X motherboard, but we experienced so many issues we just sent it back. Not only is the BIOS a mess, but it was also unstable and actually slower at reference clock speeds than the Asus Z9 PE-D8 WS board we used today.
When you factor in that the physically larger EVGA Classified SR-X costs £560 and the relatively compact Asus Z9 PE-D8 WS board is £455, it seems like a no brainer to save the £105.
The only notable negative we could mention during testing was that when we installed 64GB of Kingston Predator 2,133mhz memory, the maximum speed we could achieve was 1,600mhz. Anything higher would result in a no post, and force a manual CMOS reset via the jumper switch. That said, the board did post a 64.2GB/s memory bandwidth result, which is our highest result ever … by around 10GB/s.
EDIT: I learned today that memory cannot be configured higher than 1,600mhz on Xeon motherboards regardless of the XMP profiles.
In closing, if you need a system for high end 3D rendering duties and have software that you know will fully utilise 16/32 cores, then you will be in for a hell of a ride.
Pros:
- insane performance with supported software.
- memory bandwidth.
- For 3D rendering and CAD work, nothing comes close.
Cons:
- The cost.
- Most people would be better off with overclocking a 3960X.
Kitguru says: A solid, kick ass system that produces benchmark figures to make every other system we have tested pale into insignificance. Just be prepared to dig deep into your wallet. Unmissable for a specialised audience who need every ounce of CPU power.
And there was me thinking my 3570k at 5ghz was awesome 🙂
shame on me !
Go on, give it away, please?
Would be nice to see some opteron reviews too. Cover the amd side of things.
thats a very nice system, but it does show that software is way behind the hardware. exactly the same sorry situation in the world of gaming.
We need a new Crysis and new application support for many cores.
The coders are lazy, although it makes little sense to develop a lot of time to multiple core support when most people have dual/quad core.
Most games ive looked at only use one core however, its a poor showing.
You should have known that on Xeons overclocking is BLOCKED – and this includes not only CPU clocks, but memory as well… 1600 is the highest you’re allowed to go – until Ivy-E next year which is expected to provide 1866. Annoying, isn’t it?
Well I stand (or sit) corrected on that one. I thought they could load the XMP profiles, but clearly not. thanks.
im currently have a similar setup, but on a cosmos 2, and both h80is dont fit on top they touch the top board passive coolers, too bulky ,so i need an advice how to setup this coolers, i saw on your nuild the h80s running wiht only 1 fan? how is the performance of those in that way?
The run great. bear in mind the 2687W’s aren’t producing too much heat when they are running at default clock speeds and voltages. Temperatures were well under 70c under extended load. As long as you have decent air flow, one fan is not a concern. Its only if you were to overclock and push voltages the two fans would be very useful. With Xeon’s being locked, it isn’t a concern.
If you are mounting the coolers at the rear, or top, set the single fan in exhaust configuration.
so ill try to put it on top with the fans outside pushing air inside, that will be ok?
Will the single fan not fit inside the case? I would set them up as exhaust unless you are mounting the radiators at the front of the case.
the problem is that the asus mobo has 2 passive coolers on top of the board and the radiator with the fan inside dont fit couse of them, so, thats why im planning to put them as intake, and only 1 fan each 🙁
I wouldn’t mount them in an intake position at the top of the case, even if they are outside the case. Hot air naturally flows upwards. you would really cause a problem for the airflow of the case if you set them as intake flowing up to down.
Should all still be ok, as long as you have good cool air intake from the front/side of the case.
looks like the cosmos 2 is well ventilated, 2 front, 1 back, 3 to the psu… im going to try the fron cage solution
I’m running this board with Predator 2133MHz using a VCCSA of 1.2V got it stable 11-12-11-30-2T 1.6V so consider that one negative may be solved.