Workstation Build: Single 2.66ghz i-7 with overclock potential, OR Dual 5520 2.26ghz Xeons?

Posted by jdc0589 on Super User See other posts from Super User or by jdc0589
Published on 2009-11-29T02:07:55Z Indexed on 2010/04/18 14:03 UTC
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There are probably better places to ask this, but I am used to the excellent quality of responses on stack overflow.

I am rebuilding my desktop in a few months. Aside from normal lightweight internet usage, I use it to run sqlServer, mySql, 1-2 Ubuntu VMs from time to time, lots of IDE's, and a media server for my PS3.

The two possible setups cost the exact same amount (within $50) and would both have 12gb 1333mhz ddr3 ram and a 500gb RAID-0 array (250x2).

Now, If I go with a single i-7 920 2.66ghz quadcore, I can easily overclock it to 3ghz, and would have cash leftover to get a 160gb ssd (either the ocz vertex or the 120gb intel) for the main OS/Program install drive. Else, I could get a dual lga1366 motherboard with two e5520 Xeon's (2.26ghz),just use the disks I already have.

So, do I go for 8 physical/16 virtual cores at 2.26ghz (No overclocking on server boards) with normal disk I/O, or a 4 physical/8 virtual cores at 3.0ghz with really outstanding disk I/O?

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