Performance evaluation of Intel Xeon E5-2600 family cluster using scientific and engineering benchmarks

In this paper, we present an performance evaluation of a 256-core cluster based on the Intel Xeon Processor E5-2680. This is the new version of Sandy Bridge processor for server and workstation market. It employs an integrated memory controller, dual Intel Quick Path Interconnect (QPI) port and integrated PCIe 3.0 controller. We assessed these architectural enhancements using the High Performance Computing Challenge (HPCC) benchmarks and NAS Parallel Benchmarks (NPB). For Interconnect analysis we have used the NetPIPE performance evaluator. We compare and contrast the results of a cluster based on the Intel Xeon E5-2680 with a cluster based on Intel Xeon 5680 Processor and another cluster based on Intel Xeon 5570 Processor.