Are all intel w3580 3.33ghz processors the same??

[Kraniac]

Do these processor models have sub-variations under the same model number, ever?

The chip is -Intel Xeon W3580 3.33ghz 4core, QPI 6.4gts

Trying to find a reliable source in the USA

Tons of these for sale on Ebay coming from China..all in the 40-50 dollar range

The ones available in the USA are a bit more expensive..with prices sort of all over the place.

[C(-)ris]

If you are going to upgrade the CPU I would strongly recommend the 6 core.

[Kraniac]

C(-)ris wrote:
If you are going to upgrade the CPU I would strongly recommend the 6 core.

Chris..this chip- 3.33ghz W3680?

EDIT to add full name:

Intel Xeon W3680 SLBV2 3.33GHz/12M/6.40 Six Core CPU processor

?

[Filliam H. Muffman]

For the W3680, it looks like there was only one manufacturing source for this processor. That means every chip with this number was fabricated in Costa Rica during late-2009/early-2010 and should all be identical within relevant manufacturing tolerances.

[Buzz]

I splurged and bought ours from a high-rated domestic seller, one that offered a reasonable return/exchange policy. I wouldn't buy something like that from an overseas seller in case there were any issues. Some minor ancillary component that doesn't effect the operation, maybe, but not the brain.
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[M A V I C]

Buzz wrote:
I splurged and bought ours from a high-rated domestic seller, one that offered a reasonable return/exchange policy. I wouldn't buy something like that from an overseas seller in case there were any issues. Some minor ancillary component that doesn't effect the operation, maybe, but not the brain.
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Same here. No way for me to test. No way to confirm I didn't install it wrong...

[Kraniac]

Thanks Chris and Muff and all..good to know!


EDIT: and good to know that the shortened version of Fillian's last name that rhymes with "buff" gets the muff treatment.

[AllGold]

I agree that you should go for a hex core W3680. If you want a quad core then I think a 3.2GHz W3565 is a better buy because there are a lot of them available from upgrades. You can get one from our sponsors: https://eshop.macsales.com/item/Intel/BX80601W3565/ but they are available for less elsewhere.

Anyway, the W3680 and X5680 are both hex core 3.33GHz CPUs. The only difference is the X is required if you want a dual CPU setup (which will also require a new CPU tray).

I was trying to decide between the W3680 and X5680. For a while I was thinking I might as well get the X in case I ever change my mind and want a dual CPU setup, then I'd only have to buy one additional CPU (and a new tray). But the X costs more and in my research I found the W is slightly faster. It's a small enough difference that it's probably within the margin for error but I couldn't justify the extra cost for an X that will almost certainly sit alone in my machine.