Intel® Workstation Board WX58BP (Banroof Point) and the Intel® Xeon® Processor 3570

Conclusions and Award

When we first received the mainboard and got it up and running, a swift look into the bios showed it to be similar of that seen within the X58SO Smackover.   There are of course the subtle differences with the ECC memory add-on and once fully configured leave you with a completely sound platform.  However, this is a bios that is very easily set to work and if a first time end user following the manual you will have no problems in setting up.  Though we have to take into consideration that this Intel at its best gaining as much as possible from their successful R & D venture.  Joining the no frills brigade, but plenty of value for money, could it be we have a sneaky winner here.

The results we obtained from within have been very good indeed as the synthetic results have shown.  Therefore it does show that Intel have done their homework with all the functionality of the board giving many end-users with older peripherals the solitary 32 bit PCI slot will offer an option to further enhance their lifespan.  The bundle of PCI Express lanes does give you a huge choice of newer products that fully support this technology.  For those looking to utilise that juicy new raid card then there is room.

The plethora of benchmarks available in this arena; one could spend all day in producing results if the time permitted, paralysis by analysis!  In order to make this a factual hard hitting article we looked carefully at what the community really needs to see, many now have their own in house tests.  Before moving forward with these in house tests they still rely heavily upon the industries professional benchmarks.   Therefore to recap briefly on the scores from within from both SPEC Viewperf® 10 covering a single run from the FirePro V7750 then moving up a gear into CrossFire Pro Mode to fully gauge the scaling.

The SPEC 10 results are very good indeed and we are seeing very good scaling as from our previous outing on the CrossFire Pro Technology mode. From the picture shown within page 2 of the article we have proven ATI's claim that a previously used full length FirePro V7750 card found within the Tier 1 systems and a basic "off the shelf"  standard FirePro V7750 card in CrossFire Pro Technology mode to further prove the point that CrossFire Pro Technology mode does work in accordance with ATI's claims.  Therefore; please step back the Sceptics and Negative Nellie's who are out there  stipulating claims to the contrary.

Consequently we have to reiterate the objectivity of choice.

What of availability and pricing, there are on going to print some prices floating around now from some e-tailers. These are as quoted for the Intel® Workstation Mainboard WX58BP at $237.99 - $292.25 and the Xeon® Processor W3570 CPU showing $1,059.99 - $1,225.69 (prices shown for both products do not include taxes and shipping).   However, it is best that you contact your suppliers directly as they will have in place pricing structures and due delivery dates of all components. This will be your best port of call; do expect a rush so get your cheque books primed and that vital order in very quickly indeed.

The facts shown within are indisputable.  These complex components will give the entry level end users a huge boost of power to help them compete within many sectors of industry.  Many though will argue that price is a contributing factor and try to cut corners with using unbuffered memory.  But why when competing in such mission critical arenas, there is no gain to be achieved here; only risk.   The beneficial gains with the new UP Xeon from Intel are without a doubt - colossal. 

The additional mainboard add on's that normally we do not cover as time is very tight to get these articles up online as quickly as possible.  The onboard audio is very satisfactory indeed and produced a good playback from a few CD's and a DVD.  We did note it to be sharp and pleasing to the ear, after all todays mainboards supporting Dolby should be nothing less, therefore once more another satisfactory tick in the box for Intel's WX58BP.  Onboard Firewire, well this is still  a requirement for many end users and it was pleasing to see it mounted on the board.

For many years the owners of UP workstation mainboards have had the luxury of marching around boasting the best from Supermicro, Tyan and the Tier 1 companies.  Not so anymore.  This has been a bold move from Intel moving into this lucrative market sector and the PR marketers' from Intel must be honing in sharply on the VAR's and S.I.'s as this is a good optional workstation mainboard.  From what we have uncovered and shown today the uptake should be good giving many end users the magical choice.  There is a now a new player in town and they bring with it a robust touch of class only to be found within the few. 

Therefore in a first unprecedented move we have to award Intel's Workstation Board WX58BP (Banroof Point) a joint Editors Choice Award with Supermicro's X8SAX

www.3dprofessor.org award for Intel's Workstation Board WX58BP (Banroof Point)
Entry Level Workstation Mainboard

Page 1 - Introduction
Page 2 - System Build Pictures
Page 3 - System Set-Up and Software Used
Page 4 - SiSoftware Sandra 2009 SP3 64-bit tests
Page 5 - Hard Disc Tests
Page 6 - Sandra 2009 Video Card Tests
Page 7 - Everest 5.02 Ultimate, POV-RAY and Cinebench 10
Page 8 - SPECviewperf® 10.0 64-bit and SPECapc for SolidWorks 2007™
Page 9 - Conclusions and Award