X5472 or E5472?

[Topper]

What application, if any, can I use to find out if my processor(s) is an X5472 or an E5472?

 

[Pressure]

CPU-Z but you need Windows installed.

 

[Topper]

CPU-Z but you need Windows installed.

That's what I was afraid of.
I don't have Windows installed.
Thanks anyway.

 

[iSail]

MacCPUID runs on OSX; it's written by Intel. Get it here: http://softwarecommunity.intel.com/articles/eng/1107.htm

 

[Topper]

MacCPUID runs on OSX; it's written by Intel. Get it here: http://softwarecommunity.intel.com/articles/eng/1107.htm

Thank you.

 

[big dainjerus]

Is it a big deal they are shipping with the x? What is the real world difference?

 

[Tracer]

X Processors have unlocked multipliers meaning that you can overclock 'em the FSB and multiplier with a correct motherboard.

You could probably sell 'em for a nice penny too.

Cheapest I see them online for is ~$1000.

Tracer

 

[big dainjerus]

But it looks to me that everyone would rather have them ship with the E???

 

[Topper]

But it looks to me that everyone would rather have them ship with the E???

Mac users can't overclock X5472.

E5472 has the same performance as the X5472 but it runs cooler and consumes less power.

I am much happier with the X5472 than I thought I would be.
My 8800GT Mac Pro runs very cool and very quiet.

 

[big dainjerus]

E5472 has the same performance as the X5472 but it runs cooler and consumes less power.

Is that, "in theory", or has someone shown that the new mac pros with the X consume more power and are hotter?

Forgive me, I am just hoping it doesn't make that much of a real world difference.

 

[Topper]

Is that, "in theory", or has someone shown that the new mac pros with the X consume more power and are hotter?

Forgive me, I am just hoping it doesn't make that much of a real world difference.

The X5472 is 120w. The E5472 is 80w.
Just by definition the X5472 has to be hotter and consume more power especially with everything else being equal.

 

[big dainjerus]

You don't think there is a little performance bump, regardless how small, of a 120 watt vs 80 watt? I'm just thinking about light bulbs, as my 100 watt ones are almost blinding whereas the lower wattage ones are dimmer.

 

[iSail]

You don't think there is a little performance bump, regardless how small, of a 120 watt vs 80 watt? I'm just thinking about light bulbs, as my 100 watt ones are almost blinding whereas the lower wattage ones are dimmer.

Look at it this way: A light bulb is designed to produce light; the way it does so is by getting hot (glowing). The heat is a wasted byproduct of the light; that's why LEDs are much more cost effective, less (not no, but less) wasted heat.

The 80W versions are simply more efficient than the 120W versions. Heat is a byproduct, and not a desired one since it takes a lot to get rid of it (have you seen the heatsinks in these things???)

No performance differences, just a less efficient chip.

 

[Topper]

You don't think there is a little performance bump, regardless how small, of a 120 watt vs 80 watt?

I don't think so.

 

[big dainjerus]

Damn, thats a bummer. Is there any logical reason they would use an X chip to begin with? Or is it just cause we are all crazy mac nuts that we actually care about it to begin with?

 

[Topper]

Damn, thats a bummer. Is there any logical reason they would use an X chip to begin with? Or is it just cause we are all crazy mac nuts that we actually care about it to begin with?

No answer for that one. My guess is availability.

 

[menthol moose]

The X chips are cheaper than the E chips. My guess is you pay extra for the power and heat efficiency, and Apple didn't want to spend the extra money, when they really don't run that hot anyways.

 

[mrmikefm]

The 'X' stands for extreme. They were released first. Then, as processing improved came the 'E' and the next 'X' series was given a performance boost to puff up the price to where the eXtreme CPU's are priced at

 

[beto2k7]

The 'X' stands for extreme. They were released first. Then, as processing improved came the 'E' and the next 'X' series was given a performance boost to puff up the price to where the eXtreme CPU's are priced at

 

[Umbongo]

The 'X' stands for extreme. They were released first. Then, as processing improved came the 'E' and the next 'X' series was given a performance boost to puff up the price to where the eXtreme CPU's are priced at

Actually they came out at the same time and the X models were priced $64 lower due to the higher TDP - yields were obviously low. Didn't matter much for Apple as they had purchased the entire first runs of the 1600MHz parts for the 08 Mac Pros. Due to this you can find both E and X models in 08 Mac Pros that shipped that first month.

 

[Spacedust]

I use two E5472 chips and my Mac Pro is almost dead silent. CPU temp 40-50 when idle.

 

[bearcatrp]

Here is the intel chart for the 5400 series Xeons:
http://ark.intel.com/ProductCollection.aspx?series=33905