Up Close with V8

Intel’s multi cpu solution is a much simpler proposition when compared with the Quad FX platform, the V8 platform is physically nothing more than a traditional workstation system based on quad core Xeon Clowertown processors installed into a i5000X Greencreek chipset. While this is hardly revoluntary, it is a stable and tried solution and as many of our readers will already be aware, Apple have been offering similar configurations with their latest high end “Mac Pro” range.

The Clowertown CPUs are based on Core micro-architecture and feature a quad core structure, which makes these very similar to the Kentsfield Core 2 Quad processors. We all know that Xeon processors are marketed towards server and high end workstation applications so the socket design remains slightly different from that we are used to seeing, they are LGA-771. Additionally a Xeon cpu differentiates from a standard Quad Cpu in that they can also work in a dual socket motherboard, which will require a special chipset.

So it is clear so far that the Xeon's are being used due to the multi processor compatibility, however these processors are still faster than the desktop quad core equivalents (at 3.0ghz). The high end X5365 Clowertown models we will be using in this review also run on a 1333fsb which won’t be hitting standard desktop systems for a few months.

Each Quad Core Xeon is split up into two dual core dies and each of these features a shared 4MB L2 cache for both cores. Therefore, each Quad Core Xeon has two L2 caches with a total of 8MB per CPU.

For those of you who never read the diagrams, Intel is strongly promoting the economical aspects of these CPUs. The use of components with smaller die sizes increases the production yields by 20% and reduces the production cost by 12%.

Xeon Specifications:
Clock Frequency: 3.0ghz
Bus Frequency: 1333mhz
TDP: 150w
Brand ID: Intel Xeon Processor
Processor Number: X5365
Stepping: B3
Number of CPU Cores: 4
L2 Cache: 8MB per cpu (2x 4MB)
CPUID: 06F7
Multipler: 9x
Maximum Vcore: 1.4125v
PECI Enabled: Yes
Enhanced Intel Speedstep Technology: Yes
Enhanced Halt State (C1E): Yes
Execute Disable Bit (XD): Yes
Intel 64 Technology: yes
Intel Virtualisation Technology: Yes
Packaging: LGA771 (FC-LGA6)

The more observant amongst you will have already noted that the vcore is higher than any of other core 2 processors at this point, this in turn has increased the thermal output to around 150w for this particular model. Slower cpus in the series such as the X5355 at 2.66ghz produce around 120w.

The question everyone is asking “ok, well how much do they cost?”. That is a rather difficult question to answer as you can only really buy them from the Apple Store in the shape of a Macintosh Pro. Hardly an ideal situation right now for the majority of enthusiasts! The only figures we can give you are for the slower X5355 cpu’s which cost around $1200 each at Newegg. The S5000VXN motherboard is around £350/$500 and the fully buffered memory is around £120/$135 per gigabyte. This certainly isn’t a system you would build to play solitaire on, that’s for sure.

Intel’s S5000VXN motherboard gains many aspects from the workstation class heritage, including 2 CPU sockets, eight DIMM slots (max of 32GB), six sata ports with Raid 0/1/10, dual GigE ports and High Definition Audio.

This heritage however has a downside, and that is the lack of support right now for multi GPU as the board has only one PCIe x16 slot. We also have a couple of PCIe x4 slots and a pair of PCI-X slots. The board is huge and measures 13 inches by 12 inches and you will need a large extended ATX chassis to house it. I ended up picking up a Rev 2 Thermaltake Armor Black with a 25cm (yes centimeter) case fan which more than accommodated the components while keeping everything running nice and cool.

The S5000VXN bios (rather unfortunately) has no options for overclocking so it will not prove popular with those who like to tweak and pry every ounce of performance out of their systems, however after a few weeks of testing we failed to have one BSOD, one hang, failed post or any other glitches, so perhaps there is something to be said for just leaving things alone.

Intel also supplied a Coolmaster 850W PSU because the S5000VXN requires both an eight pin auxiliary power connector AND a four pin one, combined. The first mobo we have seen with this in our labs.

Again we can see the parentage of the motherboard with the use of full buffered DIMMS (FB-DIMMs). These are firmly routed in server class systems, adding slight latency and power draw while offering better signal integrity (less erroring) and potentially higher bandwidth. These modules draw 5w per module more, when compared with standard DDR2 memory. We are in two minds about this choice, the added integrity is always something we wish for, however the latency and rather exclusive nature of the FB DIMMS proves to be a rather unusual choice by Intel.

Crucial were very kind to supply us with FB DIMM’s for our testing at very late notice, and they have proved to be an reliable and great value for money option – they also are supplied with a sexy blue heatspreader which is always a bonus. We have always rated Crucial memory highly on Driver Heaven and I use it in my own home server so I know they will last the distance in such an important system.