Quote Originally Posted by lutjens View Post
Don't need it? This is XtremeSystems, not Have-Enough-Computer-To-Only-Meet-My-Needs-Systems. Most of us don't need half of the hardware we have. Should I settle for the mainstream platform's lousy PCI-E lane and CPU core count, and pitufilly low memory capacity because I don't need it? Of course not! Personally, I actually need the increased PCI-E lane count to run multiple graphics adapters and multiple RAID cards and the increased memory capacity is very handy. Even if I could make do with less, I want the best and I'm willing to pay for it. Is there a good reason why a server part like the E5-2687W can't do double duty? An unlocked E5-2687W would serve both the server market and the high end enthusiast market. For the asking price of the CPU, there is no reason why the multiplier should be locked at all. A server system will not even see the unlocked nature of the chip nor allow any adjustment, so there is no danger in using an unlocked CPU in a server motherboard. Only two boards on the market right now would actually allow a multiplier increase, and it's not likely that they'd end up in a server.

Validation is a requirement in a server product, yes. While I don't like waiting for new technology, I agree that there are inherent benefits to using a mainstream platform for validation and then releasing a server variant after. However, a fully functional enthusiast CPU based on the latest technology that is released six months ahead of the server variant would allow Intel to have a great deal of validation and bug finding done by enthusiasts, who are keen on pushing a new platform to its limits. We use all sorts of hardware and software in all sorts of weird configurations that probably aren't even considered at Intel. We could be an invaluable resource and allow Intel to produce even more robust products. Instead Intel has taken to treating us with little to no respect and even outright contempt. They deny us their best products and sell us defective crap, have twice forced upgrades down our throat (lack of G1 SSD TRIM support and now this) and assume we'll always be there to throw money at them. Intel turned over a new leaf and showed how friendly and decent they can be when AMD was going toe-to-toe with them during the P4/A64 era. Back then I was rejoicing that Intel had finally seen the light and would stop acting ignorant and arrogant. Unfortunately, the new leaf turned right back over when AMD fell behind, and now there's a rock on that leaf...
x79 is a server/workstation platform, I know people here like to pretend that isn't the case but that makes them wrong, not intel.

To be really frank as someone that works with servers and workstations I don't like it that the bother to put time in on features that aren't server or workstation related. It's obnoxious and idiotic. Why waste time on that crap? I'd rather have no overclocking on x79 period and just have proper SAS support. I'd prefer far more separation than they currently have.

Really ing about what's going on with x79 outside of servers is like griping over what nvidia is doing with quadro's if you are a gamer. Oh no it's late! Not what it could be... congrats it wasn't really a product intended for you.

The only thing I'll give you is that intels marketing wasn't fully honest, they should have never marketed x79 for desktops and kept it workstation. Bluring the lines isn't really helping anybody.