4p build in consideration

[Sneevly]

I figured I'd allocate 1000 dollars or under to hardware, and then what ever water cooling for the setup would cost. Three FX-8120's with minimal hardware put me around 900. Then I started reading up on what people are doing to run the -bigadv units.

The cost per ppd on these 4 processor boards is amazing, but there's a premium for it lol. So yes, I'm planning on spending a bit more. I think it's around $2700, didn't add it up. Here's what I'm considering now.

Motherboard - Supermicro H8QGi-F-O
Processor x 4 - Opteron 6128
Memory x 4 - GSkill 8GB (2 x 4GB)
Power Supply - PC Power and Cooling 950W

No case, and I'm water cooling any thing that can be water cooled. I know it's not necessary, but building this would be really boring if I didn't. DangerDen can probably make the blocks for me, unless G34 Sockets have the same mounting configuration as the AM2/AM3+.

I'm posting this mainly for your thoughts generally on the idea, as far as processor type, memory, and experience with "Ubuntu" or what ever operating system would be best.

I admit I'm a little bit uneducated right now as far as different builds, I've just been steered away from the 1366 platforms from reading forums but I don't actually know why. Any thing obvious I'm missing here or any recommendations/comments on the build would be greatly appreciated before I dive into this.

[PatonB]

If you are not running a case, "Musky" moded hyper 212+ are perfect choice aND alot CHEAPER.

You don't want 1366 as while its more avaiable and inexpensive, ppd/watt sucks so you pay more power.

Okay, if I were to do this, I would not get 4 6128s, or get them new.

I would get them from ebay... Yes ebay, and I would get 2 6168's 12 cores, they can be had for bout $400. I just found 3 61712's at 400 each!

They won't make as much as 2 6128s, but it'll be close, with alot less power

THEN

When cash is back up, get another, or even a faster 12 core.. then add another still latter.

Memorry is best as low timings s possible, but the [H]ord bios can fix that, as well as overclock the optis on a supermicro board.

Ubuntus easy to use and setup, so a no brainer..

Oh.. Also
http://www.wiredzone.com/Supermicro-...10020000~0.htm

Best g34 prices

[jimh425]

Buy your SuperMicro board from WiredZone. Pay attention to the cpu layout. They have one design that puts two of the cpus really close to each other.

I agree buy the CPUs off Ebay. I've been able to get 6172s for as low as 350. I'd plan to go 48 core even if you start with 12 or 24. The way the points work...I personally wouldn't go with 6128s. A 48 core can do almost double the ppd compared to a 32 core. However, you can argue that 6128s aren't a better deal per core when you can buy them for 100-150 on ebay.

Your ram needs to be 4 sticks per proc to do quad channel. GSkill Ram is good, but go with 7s intead of 9s and 2GB per chip is plenty big enough.

You can watercool, but make sure you have fans going over the board as well to cool the other onboard chips.

[Sneevly]

Wow, thank you for showing me that web site lol. That motherboard is way cheaper. And good recommendation with that processor. $445 used on ebay. I can't really find what a musky mod is. I was just going to put it on top of this little dresser drawer thing I got, with holes in down to a water pump inside of it.

Additional Comment:

Originally Posted by jimh425

Buy your SuperMicro board from WiredZone. Pay attention to the cpu layout. They have one design that puts two of the cpus really close to each other.

I agree buy the CPUs off Ebay. I've been able to get 6172s for as low as 350. I'd plan to go 48 core even if you start with 12 or 24. The way the points work...I personally wouldn't go with 6128s. A 48 core can do almost double the ppd compared to a 32 core. However, you can argue that 6128s aren't a better deal per core when you can buy them for 100-150 on ebay.

Your ram needs to be 4 sticks per proc to do quad channel. GSkill Ram is good, but go with 7s intead of 9s and 2GB per chip is plenty big enough.

You can watercool, but make sure you have fans going over the board as well to cool the other onboard chips.

Good point with the onboard chips. I mean I planned on buying universal blocks for the smaller stuff (unnecessary I know but, lol, it's cool) but I'm not familiar with server boards. I imagine there's things those blocks won't fit on, so I can easily arrange a hillbilly fan set up. If I hate it I'll do the case thingy you guys are talking about afterwards.

That's quite impressive how cheap you can buy some of these server processors used. I'll be spending some time looking over ebay most likely on the easier to buy for cheap processors because I will be aiming for 4 eventually. And I see it's about 5 more bucks to get 4x2GB at 7 timings.

[jimh425]

Musky mod... http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1662099 I think you could do something similar with a water block. I don't know if you looked at Opteron 61xx mounting, but they have one screw on each side.

Other 4p specific information is on Harforum including this Desktop install guide for linux which includes instructions specific to 2p/4p http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1601608.

[Sneevly]

The 6172/6174 processors are definitely worth their money on ebay. I'll be looking on there later when I have time. Thank you for the hard forum guide, there's a whole bunch of stuff I wouldn't of known how to do lol. The heat sink part looks a little bit like a head ache I see. I may just air cool it for the time being, depends on how difficult it will be to order up a water block from Danger Den. Thanks guys I appreciate your input, I'll probably be on here tomorrow morning.

[johnerz]

These may be UK based, but he has 4 and the price is good and you may get a deal on 2 or more

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AMD-Optero...item1c28c9f4bc

[Sneevly]

Originally Posted by johnerz

These may be UK based, but he has 4 and the price is good and you may get a deal on 2 or more

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AMD-Optero...item1c28c9f4bc

That would save me $340 assuming I got the easy to pick used 6172. Is it a big deal to overclock multi processor set ups .2Ghz?

EDIT: lol never mind $680 in savings, according to www.kitco.com

Second edit: Forgot to mention, I don't feel like modding an air heat sink to fit since it's temporary, so I planned on buying 4 A8 Dynatron Heatsinks. The A6 Looks like it doesn't have enough support at it's mounting locations to it's base, causing it to curve. Some body backed that claim up in a review.

[DriveEuro]

Where you putting this thing? Those dynatrons will be loud.

[jimh425]

I've got two of these Thermaltake CLS0017 on my 2p. They are a little bit loud in the case, but not too bad. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835106176

[Sneevly]

I actually READ the "musky mod" and found out how simple it was, lol. I ordered 4 of those Coolmaster direct heat pipe ones for that and 4 6172's are on their way. And of course the rest of the hardware to go along. Hopefully I'll have it built Sunday assuming everything shows up.

The dynatrons would've been really loud, I like the look of the 120's on the coolermasters. I've got abuncha 120's laying around so if I have room, I'm going to do push/pull, although it might look a little ugly with fans that don't match. Here's the board I bought.

Having said that, the board will be 3 feet away from me on top of a desk drawer. If I find it annoying maybe I'll make a plywood case for it, either with 2 open ends or big quiet fans drilled onto the "case".

[jimh425]

Sounds good!

[Sneevly]

Figured I'd mention that I just bought another 4p system. 4x 6128. They were only 100 dollars a chip so it leaves room for upgrade, I know they arent that fast but its still 180k ppd i believe. Should have it running in a week hopefully.

[jimh425]

Cool! Will that make you 3?

[Maniac]

Nice! Wish I had the space.

[Sneevly]

Nah second one. I just have my personal computer folding and a PS3. I figured I could sit back and pick off some cheap 6176 processors when they come and sell the 6128's. Or just keep them, what ever. Hard to beat 100 dollars a chip.

One other good thing about this is I bought a 1200W PC Power and Cooling so I'll use my main computers PSU for this new rig. It's pulling about 940W from the wall, and it's a 910 power supply.

[jimh425]

I was thinking it would be three from looking at your production of over 300K 18 hours apart. But, maybe your 4p is that much faster than mine are. In any case, we may be able to hold our spot for a bit when you add the other 4p if we can get a few more people to add. I still need more wire networking to move some systems around so that I can plug them in.

[pckid9234]

Originally Posted by jimh425

I was thinking it would be three from looking at your production of over 300K 18 hours apart. But, maybe your 4p is that much faster than mine are. In any case, we may be able to hold our spot for a bit when you add the other 4p if we can get a few more people to add. I still need more wire networking to move some systems around so that I can plug them in.

im trying i got a few but no big producers... and i do my best my main rig folds basically 24/7
my laptop is a crap shoot if it works so i gave up... the home mac i can never tell if its running... so yea... maybe the school... If i can convince them it helps cancer they might my campus is #1 in the state producing the most money per capita or something for ACS. So yea lol we will see

[PatonB]

Originally Posted by jimh425

I was thinking it would be three from looking at your production of over 300K 18 hours apart. But, maybe your 4p is that much faster than mine are. In any case, we may be able to hold our spot for a bit when you add the other 4p if we can get a few more people to add. I still need more wire networking to move some systems around so that I can plug them in.

8102's are making huge points now, some are hitting 600k.

[jimh425]

Originally Posted by PatonB

8102's are making huge points now, some are hitting 600k.

Do you know if they showing up on bigadv or bigbeta? I think I've been getting straight 8101s.