Socket 2011-1 vs 2011-3 in Intel's Haswell-EX and Haswell-EP
In the realm of computer technology, differentiating between Intel's Socket 2011-1 and Socket 2011-3 is essential for understanding their use in various computing environments. Socket 2011-1, designed for the Intel Xeon E7 v2 (Ivy Bridge-EX) and Xeon E7 v3 (Haswell-EX) processors, is geared towards high-end enterprise computing. In contrast, Socket 2011-3 caters to Intel Xeon E5-1600 v3, E5-2600 v3 (Haswell-EP), and certain Core i7 Extreme Edition processors, serving high-performance computing needs in both enterprise and enthusiast segments.
Although they share similar naming conventions, Socket 2011-1 and 2011-3 differ in their physical layout, particularly in the arrangement of the individual land contacts. They also have unique power delivery and thermal management requirements, tailored to the specific processors they support. Haswell-EX (Socket 2011-1) typically supports larger memory capacities and higher bandwidth, suitable for enterprise-level tasks, while Haswell-EP (Socket 2011-3) offers significant memory support but is more balanced for a variety of applications.
A major consideration is the server platform focus. Haswell-EX processors are found in robust and expensive server platforms for critical enterprise applications. Haswell-EP, however, is seen in a wider range of server platforms, including those used for high-performance tasks outside strict enterprise environments.
The affordability of CPUs for these sockets contrasts sharply with the high cost of compatible computing or blade servers. This makes them less accessible for average consumers or small-scale operations, limiting their use to well-funded corporate environments.
Following this text, a table with the detailed land names (pinout) for each socket is attached, providing a comprehensive comparison at the hardware level.
For more details on these sockets and processors, you can refer to Intel's datasheets: Intel's Core i7 LGA2011-3 Datasheet Vol. 1 for Haswell-EP and Socket 2011-3, and Intel's Xeon E7 v2 Datasheet Vol. 1 for Haswell-EX and Socket 2011-1.