ASUS Z9 PE-D8 WS Dual Xeon Insanity E5-2660 & E5-2687W
Introduction and Technical Specifications
Published: 2nd April 2012 | Source: Asus | Price: £370 |

Introduction
One of the questions we always wonder about here at OC3D is whether a dual-CPU setup will ever become viable for the home user. Of course the main problem is price as even a basic Xeon processor will set you back a pretty penny. The Xeon price equivalent to the 2500K gets you a 1.8GHz quad-core non-threaded, and the ones we have on test today top out at a whopping £1400 each. The other issue is the sheer amount of performance available from the latest desktop processors. Why would you need to go to the trouble and expense of two CPUs if one provides all you'd ever need?
That doesn't mean it's stopped us from finding out what kind of results you could expect to find from the current range of LGA2011 Xeon's when paired up with the excellent ASUS Z9 PE-D8 WS board.
But we wouldn't stop with just showing you the ultimate, which we are doing with a pair of Xeon E5-2687Ws, but we're also seeing if sheer weight of cores is enough to overcome low clockspeed by bringing a couple of Xeon E5-2660s along for the ride.
So is it a sensible option, or is the 'Workstation' designation there as much as a caveat emptor as anything?
Technical Specifications
In the blue corner, the Octo-Core Intel Xeon E5-2687W.
| Processor Number | E5-2687W |
| # of Cores | 8 |
| # of Threads | 16 |
| Clock Speed | 3.1 GHz |
| Max Turbo Frequency | 3.8 GHz |
| Bus/Core Ratio | 38 |
| Intel® QPI Speed | 8 GT/s |
| # of QPI Links | 2 |
| Instruction Set | 64-bit |
| Instruction Set Extensions | AVX |
| TDP | 150W |
And in the .. erm.. blue corner, the Octo-Core Intel Xeon E5-2660.
| Processor Number | E5-2660 |
| # of Cores | 8 |
| # of Threads | 16 |
| Clock Speed | 2.2 GHz |
| Max Turbo Frequency | 3 GHz |
| Bus/Core Ratio | 30 |
| Intel® QPI Speed | 8 GT/s |
| # of QPI Links | 2 |
| Instruction Set | 64-bit |
| Instruction Set Extensions | AVX |
| TDP | 95W |
Now Xeons differ greatly from the standard desktop versions in that they can't be overclocked, but rather they rely solely upon the turbo function to attain extra clock-speed. On the plus side this is the full-fat 8 core version of the Sandy-Bridge E processors, and because we're running two we'll have a seriously high 32 threads available to us. We know the E5-2687W should break all known benchmark records, but will the rather lethargic E5-2660 manage to take advantage of the extra cores to give the i7-3960X a run for its money?
The trainer at ringside is the ASUS Z9 PE-D8 WS
| CPU | Intel® Socket 2011 Processors Dual Intel® Xeon® processor E5-2600 product family Supports Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2 * Refer to www.asus.com for CPU support list |
| Chipset | Intel® C602 |
| Memory | 8 x DIMM, Max. 64GB, DDR3 2133(O.C.)/2000(O.C.)/1866(O.C.)/1600/1333/1066 MHz ECC, Non-ECC, Un-buffered Memory Quad Channel Memory Architecture * For Registered Memory, Max. 256GB DDR3 1600/1333/1066/800 MHz * Refer to www.asus.com or user manual for the Memory QVL (Qualified Vendors Lists). |
| System Bus | 8.0/7.2/6.4 GT/s Intel® QuickPath Interconnect |
| Multi-GPU Support | Supports NVIDIA® 4-Way SLI™ Technology Supports AMD Quad-GPU CrossFireX™ Technology |
| Expansion Slots | 4 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 (dual x16 or quad x8) *1 2 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 *1 1 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 (x8 mode) *1 |
| Storage | Intel® C602 chipset : 2 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), blue 8 x SATA 3Gb/s port(s), black Support Raid 0, 1, 5, 10 Marvell® PCIe 9230 controller : 4 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), gray Support Raid 0, 1, 10 |
| LAN | Intel® 82574L, 2 x Gigabit LAN Controller(s) |
| Audio | Realtek® ALC898 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC - Supports : Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel Jack-retasking Audio Feature : - Absolute Pitch 192kHz/ 24-bit True BD Lossless Sound - DTS Ultra PC II - Optical S/PDIF out port(s) at back panel |
| USB Ports | ASMedia® USB 3.0 controller : 4 x USB port(s) (2 at back panel, blue, 2 at mid-board) |
| Workstation Feature | 7 x PCIe x 16 slot(s) Quick Gate: 2 x vertical USB 2.0 on board ASWM Enterprise ASMB6-iKVM Remote Management Tool |
| Special Features | ASUS Digital Power Design : - Industry leading Digital 7 +1 Phase Power Design - Industry leading Digital 2 Phase DRAM Power Design ASUS Exclusive Features : - Front Panel USB 3.0 Support - ASUS SSD Caching ASUS Quiet Thermal Solution : - Stylish Fanless Design Heat-pipe solution ASUS EZ DIY : - ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 - ASUS EZ Flash 2 - ASUS MyLogo 2 - Multi-language BIOS ASUS Q-Design : - ASUS Q-Shield - ASUS Q-Code - ASUS Q-Slot - ASUS Q-DIMM - ASUS Q-Connector |
| Back I/O Ports | 1 x PS/2 keyboard/mouse combo port(s) 2 x LAN (RJ45) port(s) 2 x USB 3.0 6 x USB 2.0 1 x Optical S/PDIF out 6 x Audio jack(s) |
| Internal I/O | 1 x USB 3.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 2 USB 3.0 port(s) (19-pin) 2 x USB 2.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 4 USB 2.0 port(s) 2 x Vertical USB 2.0 port(s) 2 x COM port(s) connector(s) 6 x SATA 6Gb/s connector(s) 8 x SATA 3Gb/s connector(s) 2 x IEEE 1394a connector(s) 2 x CPU Fan connector(s) (4 -pin) 6 x Chassis Fan connector(s) (4 -pin) 1 x S/PDIF out header(s) 1 x 24-pin EATX Power connector(s) 2 x 8-pin ATX 12V Power connector(s) 1 x 4-pin EZ_PLUG Power connector(s) 1 x RAID key header(s) 1 x ASMB6-iKVM connector(s) 1 x VGA connector(s) 1 x Front panel audio connector(s) (AAFP) 1 x AUX panel header(s) 1 x SMBus header(s) 1 x System panel(s) (Q-Connector) 1 x Power-on button(s) 1 x Reset button(s) 1 x Clear CMOS jumper(s) |
| Accessories | User's manual I/O Shield 2 x COM port cable(s) 8 x SATA 3Gb/s cable(s) 6 x SATA 6Gb/s cable(s) 1 x 3-Way SLI bridge(s) 1 x 4-Way SLI bridge(s) 1 x SLI bridge(s) 1 x Q-connector(s) (2 in 1) 1 x 2-port USB2.0 + 1394 bracket(s) |
| BIOS | 64 Mb Flash ROM, UEFI BIOS, PnP, DMI2.0, WfM2.0, SM BIOS 2.6, ACPI 2.0a, Multi-language BIOS, ASUS EZ Flash 2, ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 |
| Manageability | WfM 2.0, DMI 2.0, WOL by PME, WOR by PME, PXE |
| Support Disc | Drivers ASUS Utilities ASUS Update |
| Form Factor | EEB Form Factor 12 inch x 13 inch ( 30.5 cm x 33 cm ) |
Most Recent Comments
(Btw Tom the link is broken mate)
that is awesome , nice one TTL cudos
But where can I buy a benchtable like that ?
BTW the link on here goes to a smaller picture !
Wasted for anything less than folding or rendering etc though.
@SnW
http://www.ldcooling.com/shop/45-ld-pc-v4
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So much POWA!!!!! Wasted for anything less than folding or rendering etc though. @SnW http://www.ldcooling.com/shop/45-ld-pc-v4 |
good review tom . thx.
shamino
http://www.evga.com/...igh=sr2+vantage
Also just wondering if there are any boards lined up for the future that can accomodate dual 3960-X ??? Is this even possible ?
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Great review as always, cheers Tom..... Also just wondering if there are any boards lined up for the future that can accomodate dual 3960-X ??? Is this even possible ? |
@wotevajjjj - the point is if you're rendering large files or F@h and the program utilizes all of the cores, then you could save heaps of time with rendering and gaining a massive amount of points when folding.
this beast is superb..... with that price range, it's worthed
It is quite disappointing that Intel has completely locked the new XEON processors. Some on the EVGA forums (who are pining over the SR-X) are planning to wait and see if Intel releases an X series XEON at a $1200+ price tag just for the benchmarking crowd but there is no indication Intel is even considering that and I decided not to wait for something I don't think will ever come to fruition.
In the end I picked up an Asus Rampage IV Extreme and 3930K which I've overclocked considerably. I don't regret that purchase one bit especially after hearing your conclusion in your review of the Asus Z9 where you basically say do what I just said if you want to overclock or build a killer gaming rig.
Looks amazing by the way your gonna need your own sub station soon
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Off topic, But where can I buy a benchtable like that ? BTW the link on here goes to a smaller picture ! |
They make amazing custom cases, if I ever have enough cash, I will buy a case there.
afaik two xeons on this board provide 80 pcie lanes.
cpu 1:
slot 1 and 3 at 16x speed, slot 2 and 4 at 8x speed, slot 3 is downgraded to 8x if slot 2 and 4 are running 8x cards.
cpu 2:
slot 5 and 7 at 16x speed, slot 6 at 8x speed.
asus say on their website 2*16x / 4*8x, imho this is true with a single cpu setup.
with dual cpu this should be 4*16x, sadly i dont remember where i did read that...
it just sounds odd to have only 4*8x with 80 lanes.
I am not a gamer; but an artist/student of motion graphics & visual effects. Guys with the skills I'm learning build the games, the commercials, the movies, the broadcast graphics... Boring workstations heve been my life. My activity on a box mixes high resolution digital video, photos, 3D modeling, 3D animation, 3D motion tracking, and compositing. And my workflow demands hefty snap in real time tool response, previewing, and rendering. The proven gaming strategy of overclocking i7s/RAM, and stacking up multiple cuda GPUs would only get me so far.
A solid WS strategy calls for a beefy balance of lotsa cores, lotsa RAM, SSD caching, RAIDed HDDs, a high-end GPU with "Adobe-blessed NVIDIA sensibility",and effective tweaking of graphics apps for performance.
It's clear to most that a WS improves with the number of cores; but there is an interesting dilemma there. Graphics peeps fortunate enough to have a lot of cores (8+) can't often use them all. Oftentimes they encounter a phenomenon where applying too many cores actually slows their processing down (e,g, Adobe apps like After Effects). This happens when threading spawns many instances of a graphics program and cores begin to step on each other's toes as they compete for inadequate RAM. Installing more (and faster) RAM helps; but the biggest problem is that the multi-threading strategies the apps are coded with are inadequate or nonexistent. Benchmark apps are better in this regard, so they aren't as real world as we'd like. To their credit Adobe and others do enable their code to be assisted to some extent by OpenGL, Open CL, and Cuda processing in GPUs. But rendering is still not what it could be yet. So talk of processing cores and NVIDIA's Maximus schemes are really more tantalizing than satisfying to me. In spite of this, there still are reasons to invest in lotsa cores: 1) a typical graphics workflow requires many hefty apps to be open and processing simultaneously, 2) some rendering apps are threaded decently enough to capably use how ever many cores you enlist, and 3) multi-core machines built today will be able to fight obsolescence admirably as more and more apps jump on the multi-threading bandwagon.
The system in the above test would problee make my life a whole lot easier!! But unfortunately I'm on a lower budget and looking to build a WS. Here's what I'd really love-LOVE to see at Overclock3D (and I'm sure you've thought of it already...) I'd love to see a more practical shootout based on the cost/performance expectation of the more typical graphics grunt. Maybe start with a baseline single CPU config based on the E5-2687w tested here, and then compare it to the same amount of cores achieved by a dual E5 Xeon config that costs roughly the same. And for good measure throw in a config that's cheaper but has even more cores....
Certainly we're still talking more cost here than the high-end gaming MoBo/CPU, but less cooling. And how awesome would it be to experience the effectiveness of Intel QPI, plus chew on the subtle differences in CPU cache and clock-speed! Here would be my contenders:
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1) Single CPU, 8-core (baseline)
Single E5-2687w Xeon CPU (8 core, 3.1 – 3.8 GHz, 150w, 20MB cache)
ASUS P9X79 WS motherboard
Cost: $2280 US
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2) Dual CPU, 8-core
Two E5-2643 Xeon CPUs (4 core, 3.3 – 3.5 GHz, 130w, 2 QPI Links, 8GT/s, 10MB cache)
ASUS Z9PE-D8 motherboard
Cost: $2370 US ($90 more than the baseline strategy)
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3) Dual CPU, 12-core
Two E5-2630 Xeon CPUs (6 core, 2.3 – 2.8 GHz, 95w, 2 QPI Links, 7.2GT/s, 15MB cache)
ASUS Z9PE-D8 motherboard
Cost: $1820 US ($460 less than the baseline strategy)
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AGAIN, Thanks for the very intriguing & enlightening test. Very helpful for us WS peeps!
Dayoldy
The question is how will on E5-2687W stack up to an i7-3960X setup in Cinebench?
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You may try http://www.mountainmods.com/
They make amazing custom cases, if I ever have enough cash, I will buy a case there. |
They make TERRIBLE cases.
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imho the Z9PE-D8 WS can run 4 pcie at full 16x speed with a dual cpu setup.
afaik two xeons on this board provide 80 pcie lanes. cpu 1: slot 1 and 3 at 16x speed, slot 2 and 4 at 8x speed, slot 3 is downgraded to 8x if slot 2 and 4 are running 8x cards. cpu 2: slot 5 and 7 at 16x speed, slot 6 at 8x speed. asus say on their website 2*16x / 4*8x, imho this is true with a single cpu setup. with dual cpu this should be 4*16x, sadly i dont remember where i did read that... it just sounds odd to have only 4*8x with 80 lanes. |
You did read it on there website (http://uk.asus.com/Motherboards/Intel_Socket_2011/Z9PED8_WS/#specifications) under specs. it does say you can run 4 PCI-E lanes at the full 16x.
"4 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 (dual x16 or quad x8)
2 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16"
so according to the first line 2 16x can be run and at the same time 2 more 16x lanes can be run. Its only after that that speed starts to go down.
it will be good to see how the up and coming quadro cards will work with this...
Little typo
It should be: 14 SATA ports (8 SATA 3Gbp/s and 6 SATA 6Gbp/s)Just read this review. Awesome. Looking at a Xeon system, but seriously, the cost. /cry
You were commenting on getting 3d software to show the difference in performance.
Well, http://www.blender.org/download/get-blender/ is a link for open source 3d software.
The test scene used by the community: dl.dropbox.com/u/1742071/1m/BMW1M-MikePan.blend the scene is ready to render, just hit f12.
Original link on http://blenderartists.org/forum/show...ht=cycles+test
I would expect you doing a mini review showing the differences in the speed of various setups would generate a lot of interest from the blender community.

I remember that you did a review of the Xigmatek Elysium.
Would this board fit w/2 corsair h80s at the top?
The board is EEB format. The Elysium holds E-ATX. Both formats are 12" x 13". Are the standoffs in different positions?
Thanks!

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What would happen if you combined the power of the ASUS Z9PE-D8 WS and two of the latest Xeon processors? We find out.
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