Passmark scores for Dual Xeon systems

[Ricky Johnson]

The scores for Dual Xeon systems seem a bit disappointing on the Passmark chart (here: https://www.cpubenchmark.net/multi_cpu.html).

I'm guessing maybe because the score isn't based purely on multithreaded tasks the benefits aren't as evident as they might be.
Does anyone know of a better resource for comparison please? (One that would be more appropriate to render performance).
Oh, just thinking as I write this, I suppose I could take a look at the times various systems were getting on that benchmark Corona scene.
Still, a chart somewhere would be nice if such a thing exists.

[Juraj]

I suppose I could take a look at the times various systems were getting on that benchmark Corona scene.

Don't do that :- ) That stupid benchmark is based on Alpha4 which is what, 3 years old ? It doesn't even use additional CPU properly at all, it was supposed to be taken down a long time ago.

I wouldn't say the passmark scores are dissapointing, it depends on what do you compare it against. Highly overclocked 8-core like 5960X can reach almost 70perc. of Dual-CPU Xeons, but such workstation isn't cheap either :- ).
Dual-CPU systems are still excellent choice for cramming as much performance into single box as possible, many people (including me, Peter Guthrie, Bertrand Benoit,etc...) use such solution to get quickest previews available, when even DR isn't kicked in yet.

Dual-CPU systems work well, and scale almost linearly in offline rendering, Corona included. Money wise for full workstation they are not more expensive at all (never compare only CPUs, 64GB memory, high-end case/coolers/PSU/etc.. cost a lot).

[Ricky Johnson]

That stupid benchmark is based on Alpha4 which is what, 3 years old ? It doesn't even use additional CPU properly at all, it was supposed to be taken down a long time ago.

Okay, thanks, I'll avoid using that benchmark scene as any sort of reference.

Actually, I was comparing scores off the standard Passmark charts (16K for i7-5960x and 26K for dual E52680 v3) and failed to realise that was giving almost the same ratio as you had
listed in a thread on a similar topic to this from June (I think you gave 24K for an overclocked i7-5960x and 40K for a turboclocked 2xE52680 v3).
Anyway, I was fooled by the psychology of the lower numbers. They didn't seem as impressive!
I had an i7-5960x build all worked out but I think I'll try to configure something with dual xeons and see how it looks. Back to the drawing board.

[Juraj]

I've built my dual-xeons when 8-core i7 wasn't available  and I think most people did likewise :- ) 5960X does make a compelling challenger for almost ultimate workstation.

Dual-Xeons are still good choice if you're willing to spend budget on the upper ones, in the end it will basically work out as 3- 3.5k vs 5-6k workstation, lots of money either way, both giving you as much as you pay for it.

I am not saying one is better than the other. Less budget is always good as well, you can save money for something else (good fileserver/NAS, better display...or just keep it).
Just really wanted to only comment that they work fine in Corona, Ondra himself has built one. It's just the early benchmark giving skewed perception.

Skylake-E is not coming sooner than 2016 fall imho so the choice is just how much you want to spend. 5960X is completely excellent choice.

[Ricky Johnson]

Dual-Xeons are still good choice if you're willing to spend budget on the upper ones

Would you rate the E5-2640 v3's as upper ones? I've run through a few builds on paper with dual 2640's, 2650's, 2670's, 2680's & 2690's and the 2640's come out on top in terms of value for the passmark score (they're slightly higher in score than their 2650 neighbours but cheaper nonetheless). Unless there's something I'm not taking into account they seem like a decent choice.
Obviously not with the power of the higher level ones ultimately but it seems pretty respectable for a PC I can build for about £3300 (with 64GB RAM, GTX970, Corsair Ax860i etc.).
Somewhere between an i7-5960x (I'm looking at the i7 system without parts possibly necessary for heavy overclocking) and a dual xeon system with the really high end cpu's.
Thanks for the advice.