Worth the effort?

[Bateluer]

I have an opportunity to get two P3 700 based systems. For under 200 dollars, I can get both systems, which come with keyboards and mice, and a 15in LCD. Using a KVM switch, I can hook both systems up without issue. They don't come with OSs, but installing linux shouldn't be too difficult.

How well does a P3 700 do in SETI BOINC? Would it be worth my spending the 200 USD on these systems?

 

[networkman]

I sure wouldn't. I just bought a pair of p3-733 Gateway 2000 pcs for $43.00 each from a local PC liquidator. p3-733, 128meg ram, 15 gig hd, cd, 250 zip drive and floppy, with a 98SE COA on the side.

Edit: Oops, out of date profile.. not so close by. Oh well. You might try Computer Renaissance for some systems.. I know they deal in used equipment, and they're national.. click HERE for Arizona locations.

 

[kb3edk]

Originally posted by: Bateluer
I have an opportunity to get two P3 700 based systems. For under 200 dollars, I can get both systems, which come with keyboards and mice, and a 15in LCD. Using a KVM switch, I can hook both systems up without issue. They don't come with OSs, but installing linux shouldn't be too difficult.

How well does a P3 700 do in SETI BOINC? Would it be worth my spending the 200 USD on these systems?

For DC purposes, definitely pass on it. I briefly assimilated my dad's P3 933 for BOINC a few months ago and it only benched an 815/1445. By comparison, my girlfriend's Athlon XP 2800+ benches a 1913/3236. One of those can be bought easily on the FS/FT forum here, or over eBay, for under $200 shipped.

Don't forget also, the heat/space/power savings that come from running one box instead of two.

The only thing favorable about the P3 deal is that flat panel monitor... used 15" panels go for around $75 shipped on eBay. But the remaining $125 could definitely get you more crunching horses than a pair of P3s.

 

[RaySun2Be]

I agree, I don't think it would be worth it, unless you just want to get the LCD and sell the PIIIs off.

The $200 would be better spent getting a faster MB/CPU combo and get more bang for the buck.

 

[Wolfsraider]

With the costs associated, I would also buy 1 faster computer.

Reasons as noted above:

• Heat

• Cost of electricty

• Noise

• Production will be more on one faster computer vs 2 older cmputers

I have run a few older systems, and I saw a marked improvement on computers over 2ghz.
I rana few 1700+'s a 1400 and a 1200 and they were ok but a 2000+ and a 2400+ really pulled away from them in the stats.

If it were me, I would not get less than a 2400+

Ultimately, its your choice, your money, your needs, so good luck

Mike

 

[networkman]

BTW, the reason I chose to pick up those Gateway PCs had nothing to do with DC.. I needed something low-profile and of moderate power that wouldn't get too hot, to operate as a front end for my radio-astronomy receievers. Older Gateways seem to work pretty well for that and Win9x is more than sufficient as an interface. Technically, I could run just as well with DOS, but 98 is a little more network friendly for what I need.

 

[Bateluer]

Hmm, thanks for the advice, and thanks for the help networkman.

How well would a single Celeron 325 (2.5Ghz) crunch Seti?

 

[Bateluer]

Anyone know how well a Celeron D 325 (2.53Ghz) benches in the BOINC client?

 

[networkman]

I did a Google search and found a couple links with BOINC benchmarks:

Link1

Link2