I only have ever used a single CPU so far but even then the difference was substantial. The 2.4GHz 8-core SB-E went from 20-22k ppd to around 30k.
As in 22k in Windows to 30k in LinuxVM? If so, that is a 180 from my previous experience with vbox. Sounds like somewhere between then and now they finally managed to figure out the "symmetric" part of smp. Thanks for the info!
Is the Skulltrail mobo able to overclock regular Xeons by changing the bclk from 1333 to 1600, or 1066 to 1333?
The Intel D5400XS (the one I have) and ASUS Z7S-WS are the two boards comprising the Skulltrail platform, and they are a bit unique compared to other dual-S771 boards insomuch as they boast traditional S775 overclocking features in BIOS. So there's no need to mod the CPUs or sockets directly in order to achieve higher fsb speeds (yes, remember fsb?). Unfortunately, the server-class chipset and its reliance on fbdimms restrict the platform's fsb ceiling quite a bit, and not a lot of people are able to OC it much higher than 420 fsb, so there's only so much opportunity for OC'ing Xeons and very limited opportunity for 1600fsb Xeons. That's why the unlocked QX9775's are a better fit for the platform if overclocking is your goal.