A comparison of quad-core server CPUs

For anyone looking to buy a workstation or server CPU, quad-core CPUs have become mainstream. Therefore it’s important to know what you’re getting for the money so I’ve compiled a chart with general purpose computing performance using the SPEC CPU database with the highest scores as of December 28 2007. I included single and dual processor solutions to help you decide whether you want to go single CPU socket or dual socket motherboard. You and also read more about energy efficiency on server processors here.

All Intel dual processor models starting with the 54xx are the latest “Harpertown” 45nm CPUs launched in November 2007. All Intel dual processor models starting with 53xx are the 65nm “Clovertown” quad-cores Intel launched in late 2006 and mid 2007. In the single processor space, only the QX9650 “Yorkfield” processor uses Intel’s latest 45nm process and everything else uses the 65nm process. The Q6600 and X3220 are essentially identical processors marketed towards desktop and entry level server markets respectively. Since one of the key differentiators on a workstation/server system is the inclusion of error correction memory, one can use any of the desktop CPUs in an ECC capable single processor motherboard.