Sandy Bridge E3 Xeon vs i7 Core comparison

[Sardonicus]

I've been comparing the specs on the following processors and as a non-gamer the Xeon processors look very attractive. What I like is that Intel offers the choice of a Xeon 80 watt non-graphics processor versus it's 95 watt on-board graphics processor. It would have been nice if Intel offered that same choice in it's Core line. Many users prefer a PCI graphics card and don't use the on-chip graphics, so why not a choice, like with the Xeon line?

Compare Intel® Products,

 

[gazz9496]

well the xeon is a server cpu not ideally suited to home computing.

but intel do offer non integrated graphics by choosing a different model, the i7 950 3.4ghz and the i7 2600/k for example one is sandy one isn't.

while it is well priced at around £170 and uses socket 1155 it's just not cheap enough to ignore the i7 range.

when you look at the compatable range on motherboards they are all server boards listed i don't think anyone would be able to garuntee a standard 1155 board would work, the motherboard
Intel® Server Board S1200BTS costs around £180
Intel® Server Board S1200BTL this board only supports ecc ram which usually costs a bit more.

the difference in price from a standard 1155 board for home use negates the cost difference of the cpu.

 

[bobkn]

I've no personal experience with Sandy Bridge Xeons.

Most of the motherboards that support the Xeons are server boards, which require ECC memory. That raises the price.

However, at www.newegg.com, I see one board that can use both desktop and Xeon CPUs, and ECC or non-ECC DDR3:

Newegg.com - ASUS P8B WS LGA 1155 Intel C206 ATX Intel Xeon E3 Server/Workstation Motherboard

Newegg doesn't list any other C206 motherboards.

It's interesting how much broader a range of I7 equivalents (quad core with hyperthreading) exists in the Xeon line.