5.1 upgrade path - Diminishing returns?

[Blakehoo]

W3690 cannot boot with 4x16GB, but only up to 3x16 + 8 = 56GB RAM.

I'd do that then...

How's the memory usage in your W3690?

 

[h9826790]

I'd do that then...

How's the memory usage in your W3690?

I am only running 48GB RAM at this moment, my 8GB sticks are UDIMM, and 16GB sticks are RDIMM, can't mix them together. So, all RDIMM 16GB sticks at this moment.

My memory usage is fine. Occasionally need some swap.

But since OP mentioned that it's just for light use or gaming. 24GB RAM should be more than enough. I doubt if more RAM can help anything significantly.

 

[Squuiid]

CPU demand won't change with resolution. It's about how many moving objects on the screen, but not how many pixels need to handle.

Yes, and how many of those CPU cores are actually utilised by a specific game.

Forza Horizon 3 for example was maxing out a single CPU core and performance on a GTX 1080 was horrible.
They subsequently released a patch 6 months down the line which brought in better use of the CPU but performance is still hit and miss.

Doom on the other hand absolutely flies on the same configuration.

 

[Blakehoo]

I am only running 48GB RAM at this moment, my 8GB sticks are UDIMM, and 16GB sticks are RDIMM, can't mix them together. So, all RDIMM 16GB sticks at this moment.

My memory usage is fine. Occasionally need some swap.

But since OP mentioned that it's just for light use or gaming. 24GB RAM should be more than enough. I doubt if more RAM can help anything significantly.

OK, I reread the sticky thread on CPU upgrades.

...and just bought a single CPU 4.1 server to take advantage of the W3690 chip.

(I already have a pair of X5690 chips that I've been saving for my dual processor 2012 cMP build)

On ebay, just now, both chips are virtually the same price.

I understand the OP sticking with the W3690, ...tell me again why the W3690 would be better for me.

 

[h9826790]

OK, I reread the sticky thread on CPU upgrades.

...and just bought a single CPU 4.1 server to take advantage of the W3690 chip.

(I already have a pair of X5690 chips that I've been saving for my dual processor 2012 cMP build)

On ebay, just now, both chips are virtually the same price.

I understand the OP sticking with the W3690, ...tell me again why the W3690 would be better for me.

There is virtually no benefit to run a W3690 if compare to the X5690. AFAIK, the only advantage is cheaper. I am not sure if the W3690 is better for OC, but since we can't do that on a cMP anyway. So it doesn't really matter to us.

If both chip are at the same price, and you already have another two X5690. Of course it's better to go for the X5690. At least the CPU now is swappable between your single / dual processor Mac.

 

[Squuiid]

There is virtually no benefit to run a W3690 if compare to the X5690. AFAIK, the only advantage is cheaper. I am not sure if the W3690 is better for OC, but since we can't do that on a cMP anyway. So it doesn't really matter to us.

If both chip are at the same price, and you already have another two X5690. Of course it's better to go for the X5690. At least the CPU now is swappable between your single / dual processor Mac.

Higher max RAM limit with the X5690 also, as previously stated.

 

[CapnDavey]

Diminishing returns on Macs is far different than it used to be. Back in the pre-Intel days we'd pay quite a bit for any kind of upgrade and ultimately it would mean dragging out an imminent death as we'd lose vital software support (68k to PPC or PPC to Intel). I dragged a 500 MHZ Sawtooth G4 from 1999 to 2008 and even with a bunch of upgrades and that was a hard road. I can see myself getting 15 or more out of my 3.33 09 if I keep to my current software and don't care about Mac OS updates.
It really boils down to what software you're using and how you see yourself using it in the future. Mac OS is going to leave all of us cMP users in the dust but there is always still Windows.

He's right things were tricky back in the power mac days flashing video cards sometimes required using a windows box and a mac .I remember flashing a ultra wide adaptec SCSii card for my 7600 av what a pain. and the CPU upgrades were expensive NewerTech Sonnet and others at one point cost half the price of the computer. fun times good luck