I'm in the market for a new, high-end computer. I notice the somewhat older Intel XEON processors seem to have several 'better' features than the current i7processors. But I don't know whether these differences matter. Intel's website reports this data on these two processors:

                            XEON x5650                          990X

Memory types      DDR3-800/1066/1333           DDR3-1066

Max memory        288GB                                   24GB

ECC memory        yes                                         no

Memory type - Do these specs mean this value is the maximum speed that memory can operate with the processor (e.g., 1066 MHz max with the 990X)? Put another way, if we buy memory capable of something over 1066 MHz, are we wasting our money if we have a 990x?

ECC memory - I guess that fewer memory errors occur now because of better technology. Does dropping ECC memory in the latest i7 processor matter?

Max memory - 24 GB seems like enough memory for now but we will eventually push that limit with bigger and more programs that are open simultaneously. The older XEON processor permits up to 288GB of memory but the newer 990x allows only up to 24 GB. The smaller memory limit in the newer processor doesn't seem logical simply because it is a newer processor. Am I missing something?

Finally, it there are practical limit on RAM speeds with today's memory with a modern i7 processor like the 990x where we won't see much of an improvement in DNS function? For instance, am I wasting my money in buying 1600+ MHz memory compared to 1333 MHz RAM?

DNS Pro 12 (32-bit), KnowBrainer 2012, VoicePower, Intel i7-3770K (Ivy Bridge) 8MB L3 cache 3.5-3.9GHz, 16 GB RAM DDR3 1600MHz, 240 GB SSD and 1TB HD, Windows 7 (64-bit), Airline 77 mic (Laptop: Lenovo X61t, Intel L7700 @ 1.80 GHz 4 MB L2 cache, 3 GB RAM, Windows 7)

I've done some reading on these topics that I am sharing.

What I understand is the 1066 MHz memory limit for the i7 990X processor can be exceeded through 'overclocking' the motherboard/processor (if the motherboard allows), which is done via BIOS settings. Cautions are in order when doing this because it alters voltages and, perhaps, some other things. Overclocking is complex for non-engineers like me so I've got some more reading to do. In short, memory speeds are a function of several factors including RAM, processor, and motherboard.

On ECC error checking memory, I understand that memory errors are rare and not mission-critical for most computer users. No harm, no foul. Also, ECC memory has some downgrade in performance but it may no be important for most users. Like a lot of things, it's a trade-off: safety vs. cost and performance.

DNS Pro 12 (32-bit), KnowBrainer 2012, VoicePower, Intel i7-3770K (Ivy Bridge) 8MB L3 cache 3.5-3.9GHz, 16 GB RAM DDR3 1600MHz, 240 GB SSD and 1TB HD, Windows 7 (64-bit), Airline 77 mic (Laptop: Lenovo X61t, Intel L7700 @ 1.80 GHz 4 MB L2 cache, 3 GB RAM, Windows 7)

Click KB 2012 REV D to Download a 30 Day Evaluation of KnowBrainer 2012 

Thanks, Lunis.

FWIW - The XEON X5650 processor is single processor and has a cost similar to the i7-980X and i7-990X processors. All three processors have six cores, 12 threads, and 12MB of L3 cache. The clock speed of the X5650 is slower (2.66 GHz) but it can handle faster RAM (1333 MHz for the the XEON vs. 1066 MHz for these i7 processors) without overclocking. Also, some might like the lower power consumption of the XEON if heat is a problem (95W vs. 130W). In short, this XEON offers upside on memory but has a downside on the processor's clock speed.

I guess the technical differences between these processors is immaterial to an office user like me. Costs seem to be similar. But all these technical choices makes buying a new system confusing when seeking out the 'best' decision. After reading some of the specs, my head is still spinning.

DNS Pro 12 (32-bit), KnowBrainer 2012, VoicePower, Intel i7-3770K (Ivy Bridge) 8MB L3 cache 3.5-3.9GHz, 16 GB RAM DDR3 1600MHz, 240 GB SSD and 1TB HD, Windows 7 (64-bit), Airline 77 mic (Laptop: Lenovo X61t, Intel L7700 @ 1.80 GHz 4 MB L2 cache, 3 GB RAM, Windows 7)

Thanks for bringing this up. I was going to also. I noticed like Lenovo servers, the basic ones, were actually cheaper then getting a similar computer with better specs. Yes, it is a server and I bought my wife one at office depot on sale for like $389. I would be interested to know how the Xenon's would work???  Hers is not a xenon.

Larry 

Mac & Larry,

Yes, it is confusing when you don't know what you're looking for.

My main system is a Core™ i7 980X Extreme with an ASUS Sabertooth X58 motherboard I'm running 24 GB of 1866 MHz DDR3 RAM. The RAM supported is mainly controlled by the motherboard vs. the CPU. The Sabertooth motherboard also gives me 2 SATA III 6.0Gb/s SATA connections which allows me to run the Crucial 256 GB SATA III 6.0Gb/s SSD drive as my boot drive and one Western Digital 3 TB 6.0Gb/s SATA III vendor hard drive. I also have two USB 3.0 and 12 USB 2.0 ports, two eSATA external ports. This system is equivalent to the Xeon X5650, but allows me to overclock it to 3.99 GHz. So, you have to dig deeper than the actual spec shown and you have to look at the motherboard technical specifications as well. Some of the X58 chipset motherboards do not support RAM higher than 1333 MHz, but even the basic motherboards for the Core™ i7 980X/990X Extreme processors supported Lee 1600 MHz DDR3 RAM.

The bottom line is that you have to dig a little deeper to find out what both the processor and the motherboard will accept and support as far as RAM is concerned. Before I got the Sabertooth, my previous motherboard fully supported 1600 MHz.

Regardless, if you're going to spend that kind of money on a CPU and motherboard/RAM, I would take a good long hard look at the latest Sandy Bridge-e processors. The Core™ i7 3930 is the low-end and the Core™ i7 3960 Extreme being the high-end are Ivy Bridge ready because they use the LGA 2011 socket motherboards that will support the Ivy Bridge processors, as well as supporting and using quad channel RAM up to the latest RAM speeds (2000 MHz-2666 MHz DDR3). The 3930 is the low-end and the 3960 is the Extreme processor. These are just a tad more expensive than their counterparts (i.e., the 980X and the 990X), but they'll run circles around the Xeon's. In addition, when the new Ivy Bridge processors are released in April/May, these motherboards will be Ivy Bridge processor ready so that all you have to do is pop out the Sandy Bridge-e CPU and plugged in the Ivy Bridge CPU. In short, these give you full upward compatibility by just replacing the CPU so that you can take advantage of the new 3-D (tri-gate) transistors introduced with Ivy Bridge and which should dramatically improve on DNS performance based on the technical specifications without the additional expense of having to purchase a new motherboard and new RAM.

The bottom line is I wouldn't purchase a Xeon processor if you paid me unless I was going to be building a server because the Xeon motherboards is what Lunis was referring to as far as supporting 2 Xeon chips (CPU sockets). Nevertheless, you can avoid taking two aspirin and calling me in the morning by sticking with the standard Intel chips. Besides, where are you going to get 288 GB of RAM. The hardware doesn't even support (currently) more than 24 GB anyway because the largest current RAM chips size is 1 x 4 GB, which limits you to either 16 GB or 24 GB depending upon how many memory slots and what type of memory (dual channel vs. tri-channel) even with quad channel memory support the most RAM you can have on the system would be 32 bit and bite. A Xeon motherboard with two CPU slots would currently only support 32 GB of RAM at best. From a hardware support standpoint, where a long way from being able to install and use 288 GB even with the Xeon processor and corresponding motherboard.

Chuck Runquist
Technical Project Manager
VoiceTeach LLC
Home of VoicePower®: We don't make Dragon NaturallySpeaking, we make it better!

Be careful what you wish for.  You may find that what you get is not what you expect, or what you want. - Aesop (620 BC - 700 BC modern interpretation)

Chuck:

Great information here. Thanks.

DNS Pro 12 (32-bit), KnowBrainer 2012, VoicePower, Intel i7-3770K (Ivy Bridge) 8MB L3 cache 3.5-3.9GHz, 16 GB RAM DDR3 1600MHz, 240 GB SSD and 1TB HD, Windows 7 (64-bit), Airline 77 mic (Laptop: Lenovo X61t, Intel L7700 @ 1.80 GHz 4 MB L2 cache, 3 GB RAM, Windows 7)

Amin,

Currently there's no way to determine exactly how well Ivy Bridge processors are going to perform with Dragon NaturallySpeaking. However, if you look at the specs for the Ivy Bridge processors, you should theoretically get faster performance because of the new 3-D (tri-gate) transistors as well as the smaller die (22 nm vs. 32 nm). All of the technical specs that are available for Ivy Bridge point to a significant advantage for Dragon. In short, based on what I have seen and been able to glean so far relative to Ivy Bridge processors is that the equivalent to the Core™ i7 2600K and even the 3930, Ivy Bridge should outperform both. Keep in mind that it isn't just the performance of Dragon itself, it's the overall performance of Windows as well. You can have a processor that should, theoretically, run Dragon like a screaming banshee, but if Windows isn't performing, then all that advantage is taken away. Nevertheless, Ivy Bridge looks like the next technology to go with relative to Dragon. Will all know in a couple of months. If it were me that had to make the decision that you're having to make, I would wait for Ivy Bridge, which is exactly what I'm doing as far as desktop systems are concerned.

On the other hand, Ivy Bridge could be a bust, even though I don't think so. Regardless, Ivy Bridge won't perform any less well as far as Dragon is concerned, and/or Windows for that matter, then the current available processors (i.e., Sandy Bridge and Sandy Bridge e). One of the most significant advantages will be for laptops in terms of power consumption and battery life. Also, Ivy Bridge uses the LGA 2011 motherboard and quad channel memory the same as the 3930. So, one other option is that you could go for the 3930 now and upgrade to the Ivy Bridge equivalent by simply replacing the chip. There are all kinds of different ways of looking at and there is currently no guarantee that one will be better than the other except in terms of theory based on the specs. Ivy Bridge certainly won't perform any less efficiently than the 3930 or even their equivalent extreme processor models.

Chuck Runquist
Technical Project Manager
VoiceTeach LLC
Home of VoicePower®: We don't make Dragon NaturallySpeaking, We make it better!

"Aiming for the moon and missing it is better than aiming for the ditch and hitting it."   - Author Unknown

So Chuck, when do the Ivy bridge chips hit the streets???

R 

Rumor is first week in April:

Here are the links to documents that the Intel partners leaked:

http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/cpu/display/20111130234629_Intel_Schedules_Core_i_3000_Ivy_Bridge_Desktop_Processors_Launch_to_Q2_2012.html  

http://www.techspot.com/news/46832-intel-to-launch-22nm-ivy-bridge-processors-on-april-8.html  

April/May,

 I am hoping when these come out that the one's out now drop in price and will decide which way makes the most sense for what we do.

Larry