i7 920 or Xeon W3520?

[Musho]

I'm thinking about making the switch to an i7 platform and as far as a I know both processors are the same except for the Xeon supporting ECC and having the ability to run with another Xeon on a dual socket board. Both of these features I'm not going to use. So I was wondering which of the two seems to overclock the best on average, judging by the latest batches? Is there any way to find out? Or does anyone happen to know?

Thanks for all the help and your opinions on this matter :up:

[nkresho]

IMHO, go with the 920.

I bought into the "w3520 is better binned" crap and paid the price. Actually paid about $30 more.

My chip is average. Period. I can run 4200mhz at 1.3125v cpu and the same for qpi. Under water (independent cpu loop 3x120mm rad) it nears 66c at that speed.

Nothing to impressive here as far as temps or voltage requirements.

I'll be trying for a better 920 after the holidays. I'll get one, try it, and keep the better of the two, and sell the lesser on ebay. Until I can reach 4500 at a decent voltage, which I cannot now.

My $0.02

[zalbard]

Doesn't matter, go with whatever's cheaper.

[Musho]

Both are the exact same price down to the last cent, so price isn't a factor. Thanks for the opinions so far!

[nkresho]

For the same price, I'd look into probable resale values for later down the road.

Whichever might be easier to unload when upgrade time rolls around, is the choice then.

[Musho]

For the same price, I'd look into probable resale values for later down the road.

Whichever might be easier to unload when upgrade time rolls around, is the choice then.

What would keep the most value over time then? And which one would be easiest to sell later on? I'm looking for a good CPU that can do 4,5ghz 24/7 stable on highend watercooling

[zsamz_]

best bet is to find a nice batch
mine does 4.4 with 1.36-1.38 on air

[Garrett]

Hmm my 3520 does 4.5GHz HT on Prime stable with 1.30v... I must have a real gem then :)
3848A352
Watercooled with HeatKiller 3.0 LT and Thermochill 120.4

[nkresho]

^Yup, that's the gem batch. 3848XXXX seem to be very low volt high clockers.

[Musho]

I can't handpick a nice batch number, unfortunatly. So I was wondering which of the two clocks the best on average, looking at the latest batches. If it doesn't really matter, I guess I'll just throw a dice :p: 1 to 3 will be an i7 920, 4 to 6 will be a Xeon W3520. Let's hope I got a golden batch then :up:

[nkresho]

Good luck. I hope the next one I get is more golden than what I have now. My golden q9650 got me very spoiled. I just can't make myself happy until I see 4500.

[LarsMarkelson]

Maybe you guys know this off the top of your head, but what seems to have more batches of golden chips, W3520 or i7 920?

Get whichever is the answer OP, increase your chances of win.

[LarsMarkelson]

Hmm my 3520 does 4.5GHz HT on Prime stable with 1.30v... I must have a real gem then :)
3848A352
Watercooled with HeatKiller 3.0 LT and Thermochill 120.4

That's ridiculously insane awesome. Did you get it by chance or handpick?

[fatguy1992]

In my opinion it doesn't matter much at all, if you are going for a day to day PC, then it matters even less. There are good and bad 920's and W3520's.

[CryptiK]

Batch is the decider here, W3520 or 920 doesn't matter. Neither had better or worse batches, both kinds of chip could probably be found from every D0 batch. If you want 4GHz for 24/7 use any D0 chip should get you there.

Best of luck!

[Sam_oslo]

Batch is the decider here, W3520 or 920 doesn't matter. Neither had better or worse batches, both kinds of chip could probably be found from every D0 batch. If you want 4GHz for 24/7 use any D0 chip should get you there.

Best of luck!

+1
Batch# is much more important than 920 or W3520. A good i920-batch could easily outrun a bad W3570 on air or water for 24/7 use.

You have to find a few goos batches (both i920 and W3520), on this form (or other places), and track them down. Even tho there is variations within eatch batch# too, but it would be thee best way to get a CPU with good OC headroom.
I'm testing W3520 (#3848A352) @4.22GHZ(222x19) 1.200v (http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showpost.php?p=4144830&postcount=93);) on my new GA-X58A-UD7, now.

[nkresho]

I've never seen a bad 3848Axxx. You guys make me sick.

LOL

[Nowyn]

Same dilemma i have.

As a little OT question since some of you might have had this combo. Is it possible to boot up or at least be able to flash bios with W3520 on GB EX58-UD5 with a stock bios (F3?) it will come with, even though it is officially supported since F7 bios? Asking cause if i would go with W3520 and UD5, i need to make sure it will work out of the box, since i won't have spare 920 to flash bios with, if w3520 would refuse to run on older bios.