Verdict: Buy a pair of Xeon 5400-series CPUs instead.

Although Intel's first quad-core processor was an LGA775 Core 2 Extreme, the company didn't take long to release an entire range of quad-core Xeon-branded workstation/server CPUs.

As a result, most of the Xeon 5300-series CPUs are just over a year old, having been launched just in time for last year's CPU megatest. However, Intel expanded the series a couple of months ago with the release of the new Xeon X5365. This model is clocked at 3GHz and will probably be the last of the Xeon 5300-series, as Intel has launched the Xeon 5400-series.

The Xeon 5300-series is similar to the Core 2 Quad in that it has two dual-core dies sandwiched together in one package. Therefore, each Xeon 5300-series CPU has four cores, two of which have access to a shared pool of 4MB of Level 2 cache, while the other two cores have their own 4MB of Level 2 cache. The high-end models have a 1,333MHz effective dual FSB, while the low-end models have a 1,066MHz effective dual FSB. All the models support 64-bit instructions, SpeedStep, Execute Disable and SSE3, and are made using 65nm transistors.

The high-end CPUs of the Xeon 5300-series are capable of delivering amazing performance. The X5365, for example, can produce 5,129 points per day when running two SMP Folding@home clients. However, the recently released Xeon X5482 produces a stunning 6,278 points per day and consumes less power.

Ultimately, it makes little sense to buy a pair of high-end Xeon 5300-series CPUs now, as the newly launched Xeon 5400-series CPUs run cooler, and are faster and more power-efficient. That said, until Intel releases the lower-end models of the Xeon 5400-series, a pair of Xeon 5300-series CPUs is worth considering.

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