Dual CPU computers...

[Mrvile]

I was inspired by MichaelD's dual-Xeon computer to build a dual-processor system myself. I have a build coming up this Xmas season, and I have to decide now between a Athlon64 3200+ or a dual-Xeon 2.0ghz setup. I chose Xeon over Opteron because, although Opteron is better, the CPUs are twice as expensive.

A few more questions :

1. Which cools better, passive heat sinks (like the 40 dollar-a-piece Coolermasters Mike has) or ones with fans?

2. Is SCSI necessary? I read that it boosts the speed of interaction between hard drives, CD drives, etc. but I wouldn't think it would make gaming any better. Personally not worth another 150 bucks at least, but I could be wrong.

3. Now that I think about it, the cheapest Opteron 200 series CPU is 192 for the 240. The MSI dual Opteron motherboard is 214 bucks at ZipZoom, so together that would be like 600 for the CPU/MB setup, which is only 50 bucks higher than a Xeon setup (155 per CPU, 250 for MB).

4. The motherboard I listed above says it supports up to 400 mhz 144-bit DDR ram. I don't know much about ram, but is 144-bit the regular DDR3200? Say I wanted to run this ram with it, would it work?

5. How future-proof are dual-processor comps? I bet they are since server CPUs aren't going anywhere (like 754 is switching to 939).

6. I know that I'll need a good cooling case, and the best one I've found so far is the NZXT Nemesis Elite. Three 120mm fans, made of aluminum, and comes with a PSU. The cooling is great but the case looks like crap. Any ideas?

Any and all other suggestions greatly appreciated!!

 

[Gamingphreek]

the CPUs are twice as expensive

I dont know where you are getting that from. Make sure you are looking at the 2xx series and not the 8xx.

1. That is a no brainer.... of course something with a fan is going to cool better than one without.

2. SCSI is definately faster than IDE or SATA but unless you are going to be doing some HD intensive stuff or you want it for bragging rights or something, then it isn't worth it.

3. Well the one problem with Xeon is it is very bandwidth hungry. Therefore 1 CPU hardly has enough bandwidth much less 2. I would definately go with the Opterons unless you have something that you desperately need a Xeon for.

4. That is because you need Registered ECC DRAM. You cannot use regular RAM any server board is going to be like that except with the Xeons you are going to need really expensive DDR-II which has yet to show any gains over DDR-1

5. They are very future proof. The only thing that you will be lacking on the AMD side of things is PCI-E as those chipset are just coming out for the mainstream user.

6. Well this is a server board i would definately go all out. Cooler Master Stacker is an awesome (but pricey) case. If not youll want a big Full tower case so one of the Server versions (not the mid tower version) of the Chieftec/Antec imitations is always nice. (Cases are not my best subject i dont keep very up to date on them.

-Kevin

 

[Mrvile]

Yeah, an OEM 2.0 Xeon at 533 FSB costs 155 bucks (I was originally looking at the low FSB ones), while an Opteron costs 192. I changed my mind at number 3 after researching prices.

1. Ok thanks. So I don't have to spend tons of money on CPU cooling (don't plan to OC much).

2. Thought so. I'm only going to be playing games and working with music and maybe DVDs so I guess I don't need SCSI.

3. Yeah I made up my mind. AMD it is.

4. Ok. ECC Registered ram only costs 30 more bucks than regular, so I should be set. Scary thought though, that one says 64M x 72 - bit. Does that mean it's not 144-bit enough for me?

5. Ok thanks.

6. ASUS Dual-Xeon boards fit into Mid-ATX cases, shouldn't this one? I want to use this comp as a home media/gaming computer, so full towers and server cases will be kind of unwieldy.

 

[Mrvile]

4. Did a little research, I don't think 64M x 144 - bit even exists.

 

[hytek369]

Originally posted by: Mrvile

3. Yeah I made up my mind. AMD it is.

good choice

 

[Mrvile]

 

[Gamingphreek]

Im not saying you cant run it in a MidTower case but you are going to be running Dual CPUs and (most likely) a high end video card, Full Tower would be optimal but by no means is a Mid Tower bad.

-Kevin

 

[Mrvile]

Yeah I know what you're saying. Big cases dissapate heat better, but I guess having an aluminum case will make up for that.

 

[yhelothar]

Any reason you want to go dualies, or do you just want it for bragging rights?
A single high end CPU is much faster than two low end dualies.
An Athlon FX-55 will easily destroy two opteron 244s in most applications.

 

[CraigRT]

I am pretty sure the 144 bit thingy is actually in referral to 144 pin.

 

[Gamingphreek]

No it cant be. What Memory would that be. DDR-II is what 240 SDRAM is 168, DDR is 184, RDRAM is 184.

I thought it has something to do with ECC. Not Registered but ECC is thought has that.

-Kevin

 

[Mrvile]

I realize that. However, I don't want to be spending close to 900 bucks on an FX-55, while I can get two dualies for half that.


Anyway to answer your question I want to be able to play graphic intensive games such as HL2 on my X800XT while ripping CDs, burning DVDs, downloading things, etc. I also want to build a dualie because I want to be different. I don't really want to build a mainstream Athlon64 3200+ system or an Intel P4 (I wouldn't want of these period), basically I want to be different. Also, a dualie is a bit more future proof then a single system. Finally, I'd like to brag a little

 

[Mrvile]

^^ That was in reply to virtualgames ^^

Craig I've never heard of 144 pin.

Gamingphreek I don't know what you're saying, but do you know if that ram I linked to would work with my system?

 

[Spikesoldier]

144 pin is an SO-DIMM (SDR notebook memory)

 

[Mrvile]

Ahh. Doesn't concern me

 

[Mrvile]

Anyone have any case (preferably mid-tower) suggestions? Thanks.


EDIT: Looking for awesome cooling.

 

[theinsen1]

Originally posted by: virtualgames0
Any reason you want to go dualies, or do you just want it for bragging rights?
A single high end CPU is much faster than two low end dualies.
An Athlon FX-55 will easily destroy two opteron 244s in most applications.

well just curious

which will do the most s@h units a day?

the contenders are
amd64fx vs xeon(dualies) vs opteron(dualies)

??

 

[Mrvile]

Bump. Help me find a case weeeee.

 

[jose]

Look at the CM Stacker case..

Regards,
Jose

 

[Zinn2b]

ASUS PCDL is very fast and it easily outperforms the P4EE and AMD64 55 in all apps. from multi med to gaming SO think hard about the platform u choose . and to get a good idea about performance go to FutureMark Orb and see all the benchmark scores for yourself!!!!!!

 

[Sideswipe001]

Originally posted by: theinsen1

Originally posted by: virtualgames0
Any reason you want to go dualies, or do you just want it for bragging rights?
A single high end CPU is much faster than two low end dualies.
An Athlon FX-55 will easily destroy two opteron 244s in most applications.

well just curious

which will do the most s@h units a day?

the contenders are
amd64fx vs xeon(dualies) vs opteron(dualies)

??

I'm not sure how many the AMD ones do - but I know HT boosts the Xeons a good deal. I crunch 3 at a time on my dually 2.8 Xeons@3.3 Ghz - the other is looking to cure cancer - and I get about 24-26 SETI units a day from that system.

 

[Mrvile]

I heard Intel OCs real well but Intel has a lot of disadvantages that I choose not to use it.

 

[Sideswipe001]

Originally posted by: Mrvile
I heard Intel OCs real well but Intel has a lot of disadvantages that I choose not to use it.

I would go AMD too, but I got these CPUs for free. So I decided to put them to work.

 

[whorush]

Originally posted by: Mrvile
I heard Intel OCs real well but Intel has a lot of disadvantages that I choose not to use it.

it depends what chip. generally thats bogus. the P4 is at the end of its rope, its way to hot. thats why they killed the 4GHz version. you can OC to that but keep in mind that the 3.6 sucks 115 watts, http://processorfinder.intel.c...s/list.asp?ProcFam=483

thats really huge. if you overclock it to that you'll probably go even higher, since the 3.6 batch are surely the best of the bunch, the lesser chips become clocked lower. on top of that if you OC past 3.6 you will likely get way past 115 watts. thats getting into nuclear reactor area.

however, the 2.4 used to overclock pretty well. but its outdated now. if you wanna overclock get a 90nm 3000 or a 3200 A64. i dont believe that the opterons are 90nm yet, someone correct me if i'm wrong. i bring this up since the 90nm versions seem to OC a bit better than the 130nms.

either way, good choice on the dual opterons.

 

[XeonTux]

Mrvile, you are looking at retail prices on xeons. A PC-DL setup can be much cheaper. Also be careful what stepping chips you buy, if they are B0 you prob won't overclock much at all. Look for C1, or better yet D1, or really good M0. There are people (I should be too shorlty) selling those LV 1.6GHz C1 pairs periodically. ~$150 wil get you a pair that do 2.6-2.8 at 800FSB. Stick them in a $180 PC-DL with some Corsair Value Ram (fine at 2.5v unlike XMS) PC3200 dual channel kit, and you have a hell of a little workstation.