Intel Xeon X3450 vs E5520

[narz]

I'm in the midst of working out a cheapo upgrade from my current spec machine on the side.

Soooon, I will have access to some OLD rack servers that are being decommissioned and I will get the parts v.cheap or without cost.

Just wondering what you guys think is the better CPU? for gaming (CS:GO only) and photoshoping/VMware.

Both 45nm and built in 2009, X3450 is better on paper but not bench marks?

X3450 Pros
Higher Clock/Turbo speed
Better O/C

E5520 Pros
Better bench marks! (except single core performance)

CPUboss link, http://cpuboss.com/cpus/Intel-Xeon-X...tel-Xeon-E5520

So........what do you think I should go for / or is a better chip from stock?

[DanceswithUnix]

Was recently in a similar situation. I have an old i3 cpu on a motherboard at home, but it is a server motherboard so for home use is close to useless. It takes minutes to boot thanks to the integrates lights out maintenance network stuff, and once booted it doesn't have a x16 socket to plug in a graphics card (I could try and Dremil out the back of a x4 socket but that seems a nasty way forward).

LGA1156 motherboards are now rare and expensive if bought new, and even on ebay seem stupidly expensive for second hand. For an i3-540 it didn't seem worth it.

I still have the setup in case I want to build a new server or happen across a cheap motherboard, but check out the costs. I ended up buying an AMD A8-6500 and motherboard in the end, so all new components and better suited to my needs.

So I think it will come down to what exactly you can get, and the cost of what extra you need to buy. Good luck

[narz]

Thanks for the feedback,

I was planning on a new entire build (costing around 450~) but when this Xeon opportunity came up, I thought I can add a £50 motherboard, which can hopefully keep me ticking over till next year and get something newer with DDR4 then.