3 x 3930K (or 4930K) vs. dual Xeon E5 2680

[baastyan]

Quick question.
What would be best for architectural visualisation workflow (DR only for still images):

1 main workstation with i7-3930K (or 4930K) + small render farm with 2 machines (each of them with 3930K)

or
Dual Xeon E5 2680 (extra cost 500 euro)

What do you think?
Anyone has experience comparing similar solutions?

[urbanite]

Go for 4930 for main and slaves (it should not be difference in prices at the moment). You will have much more rendering power, faster single threads tasks and backup computer.

[baastyan]

As far as I know 3930K and 4930K peform pretty much the same. Have you noticed any difference (more than 3-5%)? I have now 3930K OC to 4,5 GHz,

[Morne]

The 4930 is slightly faster and more power efficient

[urbanite]

I am not sure if this is about new components but 4930K machine with the same amount of identical RAM and network render is about 10% faster than 3930K.

[Morne]

The 4930 is a newer generation i7 than the 3930

[urbanite]

I am aware of that, just on paper the difference is like baastyan said 3-5% but in working environment it is 10+ for me.

[bennyboy]

I got a 4930 and am super happy to see my six cores show up as 12 buckets. Overclocked mine at a comfortable and cool 4GHz (could probably take'em to 4.3, but could hurt their lifespan). However, I've only had my system for a couple weeks...not sure about the longevity or long term stability over Xeon. My old system is a Xeon dual processor...I just left it on for months on end (blew out every fan...actually, by the end, I had the side panel open with a regular 20" room fan blowing on the whole system to keep it cool . But it worked tirelessly for six years...was a good workhorse...actually, I plan on replacing the fans and using as a slave for the next decade or so. Point is, Xeon's are awesome. If you've got the change, make your slaves Xeon's (even a few years old - slower but reliable).

[bennyboy]

Does 3930 support the new Embree feature? 4930 does. Check SSE4.2 compatibility. I found Embree to have an incredible boost in my render speed, though I really have no idea what it is.

[baastyan]

Yes, 3930K also supports the new embree SSE4.2 system. But as you mentioned we now nothing about longevity of the 4930K (with the 22nm manufacturing process). I am aware that it is more efficient than Sandy Bridge-E core (eg. 3930K) but the difference is not that big and I would rather go for older architecture of 3930K but already tested for over 2,5 year

BTW which Xeon do you have?

[roboxx]

Hi,

i would also go with the "old" 3930K, because of it`s slightly better overclocking possibilities, You should easily reach 4.3 Ghz with moderat temps on that one.
If you don`t oc, i would go with the 4930K because of the mentioned lower power consumption & 10 % speed improvements on rendering.

Robin

www.3Duo.de

[baastyan]

roboxx

As I mentioned I have already overclock my 3930K to 4,5 Ghz and it is working fine ... no blue screens so far

[Jason Stewart]

The higher overclocking potential of the 3930k is confusing. Yes, the typical 3930k chip will OC higher than the typical 4930k chip but several people have tested and with lower clock speed the 4930k will still outperform the 3930k. I would say it is probably a wash in the end but my 4930k is currently running 4.5 stable for about 6 months and temps never get over 65c while rendering with a Noctua NH-D14. I did purchase the intel tuning protection plan or whatever for $25 so if I do burn the chip up fast I can send it in and get another one no problem.

I would say the 3930k or 4930k system with 2 nodes would be the way to go. That would be a nice in house setup.

[baastyan]

Actually I have already bought 4 machines wiht 3930K. Working really nicely.

Tuning protection plan? That sounds really good. Where did you get this?

[Jason Stewart]

Great, glad the setup is working out well. I am trying to convince myself I don't need a node but it may happen sooner than later.

Here is a link where you can check out the protection plan. They will replace any boxed processor for the 3 year warranty even if the damage is due to overclocking.
http://click.intel.com/tuningplan/

For some reason the 3930k is $35 instead of $25 I guess because it is a older generation and you would probably get a 4930k when you exchange?