Xeon LGA 2011 Socket R Computer Processors Buying Guide

The Intel Xeon line of CPUs was first introduced in 1998 for non-consumer computers. It evolved over time to have more cores and gigahertz, or GHz. There are numerous models of the socket R processors with different GHz ratings, so you have to know what to look for to get the proper one. These questions may help you to figure out which model is right for you.

How many CPU cores do you need?

Many people associate cores with speed, but this is only partially true. The number of cores allows your processor to work on multiple tasks at once. If your processor has one core, it can work on one task at a time, while a quad-core processor is able to work on four tasks at once. This means that more cores are better if you are running many different applications or memory-heavy workloads, but it may not increase your speed if you are only doing a single process. Intel offers models with several different core numbers.

What is the measurement of speed with processors?

The overall speed for a processor, including a Xeon, is measured by its power in GHz. Every GHz stands for one billion clock cycles per second. The higher the number of GHz, the more processes the CPU can accomplish per second. Going by this, a 2GHz processor would be able to do twice as many processes as a 1GHz processor. Since higher GHz also produces more heat and noise, you will want to balance GHz with your heatsink to keep the processor cool during operation.

What level of cache do you need?

There are three cache, or MB, levels to choose from with Intel Xeon processors. These are independent of the GHz rating. Cache is a special type of memory in your CPU that stores information for frequent processes so that they can be completed faster. Here is the difference between each level that Intel offers:

  • L1: This is the fastest memory, but it has a limited number of megabytes, or MB, of storage. This is good if you only do a few processes but need them to be as fast as possible.
  • L2: This fits comfortably in the middle and gives you adequate speed and a moderate number of MB for storage. This is good for users who don't really have a preference either way but want overall processes to go a little faster.
  • L3: L3 has the highest number of MB for storage. This means that it can save the most processes and give them an extra boost of speed.
What socket do you need on the motherboard?

The socket is the area on the motherboard where you install the CPU. In the case of Intel Xeon, you need an R socket regardless of which model or GHz rating you choose. This socket type has 2,011 contacts arranged in a rectangular shape and is designed to fit other brands in addition to Intel. Each Intel Xeon processor has a different pin arrangement, so check that the motherboard has the right one for your CPU in order for it to be properly installed.

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