Super overclocked desktop or multi CPU server?

[Shawn Astrom]

What is everyone's thoughts?

- Shawn

[Juraj]

It's all up to your budget, and needs.

Dual(Quad,..) CPU workstation/Node lets you cram more performance into single box. Just like that. For more money, but not for too much,
considering you save on rather expensive 32-64gb DDR4 ram, GPU, etc..

Example Workstation based on overclocked (4.4+ Ghz) i7 5960X             = 3000 +-/ euros    = 24K Passmark (multithreaded)
Example Workstation based on dual 2680x3 (2.8+ Ghz on all core turbo) = 5500 +/- euros    = 40K Passmark (multithreaded)

As you see.....surprisingly...when considering full build, it scales almost linearly. This is contrary to popular internet opinion dual xeons are poor performance/value contenders. The CPUs, yes...but full workstation ? No.
So regarding rendering, if you have the money, dual-xeon brings you more comfort.

Single overclocked i7 (4.4Ghz) will be faster in single-threaded tasks (modelling) than single-core turbo-clocked Xeon (3.3-3.5 Ghz) depending on model. How much faster ? Irrelevant, because it's not noticeable.

[ronalupine]

Interesting analysis. I use a low cost server from 1&1 for some of my work and archiving. It's great value and has all the speed and power I require. I think its a valid alternative these days with ever more powerful technology.