The system Intel kindly dispatched to us was a full complete unit which could be delivered to most S.I.'s, VAR's or even the end-user direct.  All that we required to do was insert the memory, fit the hard drive and away we went.   It's that simple.  Therefore the most basic end-user could in effect order, fit and install their chosen Operating System to run from the server.   For those who like to see the bare bones in the flesh; we stripped down the unit so that the parts could be more readily observed giving the end-users a much better idea of how all fits into place.

Hardware Suppliers for the Review

Intel EU for the supply of the 2.93GHz Intel® Xeon® Processor X3470 and the Intel® Server Chassis SC5650

Crucial Memory  for the DDR3 1333MHz Registered ECC Memory for the new mainboards.   Thank you for pulling out the stops here, currently DDR3 Registered ECC memory is a very limited supply option from most memory makers. Validated memory
modules may be found on both respective companies websites that has been tested.   Our advice here is do not cut  the corner on this important part of the system build as it will turn out to be a very costly mistake.  On going to print we have been advised by Micron/Crucial that their is a good supply of these memory modules.

ATI for the supply of the FirePro V5700 professional graphics cards.
*NOTE* Whilst the driver shown does not readily support Windows Sever 2003 it still gives the end user limited functionality.  

Akasa for the supply of the AK959 LGA1156 Heatsink Fan

Western Digital for the ever so reliable 300GB 10K rpm VelociRaptor

Systems Integrators, OEM’s and VAR’s should contact all companies directly for pricing and availability of all components.    Members of the public should contact their respective suppliers requesting the parts directly.

With the support and help of all the companies involved.   It gives you the reader a new choice on upgrade paths that many of you look for here with the performance ratio’s each system has to provide.   An exceptional EU S.I. supplier of the complete equipment fully with Windows Server completely pre-installed is XWORKS Interactive.   One main e-tailer that can supply the EU reader readily all the parts listed you should pop over to SCAN and see what  todays best bottom dollar deal is on the parts listed.

Benchmarks and Software used in 64-bit Mode

The test system shown within will be readily found within many arena's soon, therefore those just  wishing the simple upgrade of this new technology in combination with the ATI FirePro V5700 ran as a singular card within the synthetic benchmarks. 

Microsoft Windows Server 2003 32-bit SP2
SiSoftware Sandra 2009 SP4
Everest Ultimate Ver. 5.02
HD Tach 3.0.4.0 Journalists Edition
PC Mark 2005 Advanced
Performance Mark Version 7
POV-Ray Ver. 3.7 beta 34
HD Tune 3.50
Cinebench 10

Each set of tests has been applied on the clean system hard drives shown above to ensure that no residue drivers were left installed with all updates/patches applied.   A test/render has been completed many times over different periods of the system uptime.   HyperThreading was left at the default of being enabled,  Turbo Boost enabled and the memory timings left at Auto which showed a displayed 1333MHz.     Tests have been conducted at 1280 X 1024 @ 60Hz in 32 bit colour.   Results that have been shown within this article are from the application/benchmarks first run and not an average of 3 runs as some seem to think is right. 

The results speak very clearly for themselves as a picture paints a thousand words; so there is absolutely no need for a running commentary of the results gained from the system. 

Page 1 - Intel® Xeon® processor 3400 series
Page 2 - Intel® Server Board S3420GP and Intel® Server Chassis SC5650
Page 3 - System Build Pictures
Page 4 - System Set-Up and Software Used
Page 5 - SiSoftware Sandra 2009 SP4 Part 1
Page 6 - SiSoftware Sandra 2009 SP4 Part 2 and Everest Ultimate 5.02 Cache and Memory Test
Page 7 - Hard Drive Test
Page 8 - PC Mark 2005 Advanced and Performance Mark Version 7
Page 9 - Rendering Tests
Page 10 - Stop. We Have More Money - Introducing the WD 2TB RE4 7200RPM Drive
Page 11 - 1 X WD 2TB RE4 7200RPM Drive Tests
Page 12 - 2 X WD 2TB RE4 7200RPM Configured into Raid 1 Drive Tests
Page 12a - Windows Shadow Back-Up and File Transfer Tests
Page 14 - Conclusions and Awards