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Core i3 530 vs. 550 for silence
Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2011 3:14 pm
by Taxcheat
I can get the i3-550 for $105 at a local Microcenter. The 530 seems discontinued and is only available in outlets for $140ish, the 540 is $115. What's the best pick for a silent NAS project? Usually, slower/quieter is cheaper, but not here.
Supermicro
X8SIE/X8SIL Bios options are limited, so I'm not sure there's enough flexibility to undervolt the 550. These appear to be the only relevant choices:
CPU Ratio. This feature allows the user to use the CPU clock multiplier to multiply CPU speed
in order to enhance performance.
Turbo boost
C-State package limit setting
If set to Auto, the AMI BIOS will automatically set the limit on the C-State package
register. The options are Auto, C1, C3, C6 and C7.
C1 Auto Demotion
When enabled, the CPU will conditionally demote C3, C6 or C7 requests to C1 based
on un-core auto-demote information. The options are Disabled and Enabled.
C3 Auto Demotion
When enabled, the CPU will conditionally demote C6 or C7 requests to C3 based
on un-core auto-demote information. The options are Disabled and Enabled.
Re: Core i3 530 vs. 550 for silence
Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2011 1:52 am
by quest_for_silence
Taxcheat wrote:Usually, slower/quieter is cheaper, but not here.
The 550 is as cool/quiet as the 530 is.
Re: Core i3 530 vs. 550 for silence
Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2011 4:28 pm
by Erelyes
The 550 is really the same processor as the 530. It's just binned higher (better quality), hence why they clock it a little higher.
If you got a 550 and underclocked it to 530 speeds they would be indistinguishable in performance and power usage. The 550 would be marginally more reliable longterm.
Re: Core i3 530 vs. 550 for silence
Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2011 5:41 pm
by tim851
Erelyes wrote:The 550 is really the same processor as the 530. It's just binned higher (better quality), hence why they clock it a little higher. (...) The 550 would be marginally more reliable longterm.
No. It's simply market segmentation. When CPU families reach the limits of their design, individual CPUs get tested to see if and how they work at fringe frequencies. But Intel has no such issues. As evidenced by the enormous overclocks that each and every Core-type processor has achieved in the last 4 years, Intel's design is operating nowhere near its limits.
Re: Core i3 530 vs. 550 for silence
Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 12:34 am
by cdonc
Just a small bump, but do you guys mean that the 550 has the watt usage as a 530/540? And equal low heat that the 530
Re: Core i3 530 vs. 550 for silence
Posted: Fri Feb 25, 2011 1:19 am
by quest_for_silence
cdonc wrote:Just a small bump, but do you guys mean that the 550 has the watt usage as a 530/540? And equal low heat that the 530
No, it's a far hotter critty which cannot be compared to the 530...
...sorry, couldn't resist (MikeC has just already told you about this argument): Core i3 530/540/550/560 have quite exactly the very same thermal envelope.
Generally speaking (and to be more precise), in current Intel line-ups there isn't any difference providing the CPUs come from the same series AND batch (but taking precautions in that sense today mostly concerns Bloomfield i7s and/or the OC scene, not for sure the more mainstream/efficient dual cores Clarkdales).
Re: Core i3 530 vs. 550 for silence
Posted: Fri Feb 25, 2011 5:11 am
by ces
Why would you not buy the least expensive Sandy Bridge from Microcenter?
Re: Core i3 530 vs. 550 for silence
Posted: Fri Feb 25, 2011 7:01 am
by ame
ces wrote:Why would you not buy the least expensive Sandy Bridge from Microcenter?
I think he already owns or has his mind set on supermicro mobo.
EDIT: valid recommendation BTW
Re: Core i3 530 vs. 550 for silence
Posted: Fri Feb 25, 2011 9:13 am
by ces
ame wrote:ces wrote:Why would you not buy the least expensive Sandy Bridge from Microcenter?
I think he already owns or has his mind set on supermicro mobo. EDIT: valid recommendation BTW
I didn't notice the reference to supermicro. But the 2 core Sandybridges are just days away... and so much more energy efficient ans powerful..... that if he is that interested in energy deficiency... he will be filled with regret and stuck with a system he will resent in a few months if he takes the Clarkdale route he is on.
Re: Core i3 530 vs. 550 for silence
Posted: Fri Feb 25, 2011 9:20 am
by ame
ces wrote:ame wrote:ces wrote:Why would you not buy the least expensive Sandy Bridge from Microcenter?
I think he already owns or has his mind set on supermicro mobo. EDIT: valid recommendation BTW
I didn't notice the reference to supermicro. But the 2 core Sandybridges are just days away... and so much more energy efficient ans powerful..... that if he is that interested in energy deficiency... he will be filled with regret and stuck with a system he will resent in a few months if he takes the Clarkdale route he is on.
Yeah man, your probably right. too bad OP is from 17-Jan and I bet its a working machine by now..
Re: Core i3 530 vs. 550 for silence
Posted: Mon Feb 28, 2011 11:16 am
by Taxcheat
ame wrote:
Yeah man, your probably right. too bad OP is from 17-Jan and I bet its a working machine by now..
Yup. The system is here:
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=61358
I went with a Xeon L3406. The reason for the Supermicro board was ECC. I can't say whether the Xeon vs. i3 was the right choice since I haven't tried the i3, but the 3406 was only about $60 more. This wasn't meant to be a sane project.
Re: Core i3 530 vs. 550 for silence
Posted: Mon Feb 28, 2011 11:28 am
by ame
Yeah, I've seen that one. I remember thinking the Nexus case looks exactly like a painted coolermaster 690 with a couple of mods. Nice.