David Knourek Posted January 24, 2004 Share Posted January 24, 2004 I have to build a new box this week and Im looking for some hopefull feed back on which config may be or is better for 3dsmax/V-Ray.... Thanks in advance.... -dave DUAL OPTERON: Dual AMD Opterons 242 DP w/ 1MB Cache TYAN Tiger K8W (S2875) Corsair 1024MB TwinX PC3200 (2 x 512MB) Antec TruePower 550W Plus usual HD's, DVD-R's.... DUAL XEON #1: Dual Intel Xeon's 2.80 GHz 512K 533FSB Supermicro Super X5DAE Two - Micron Original 512MB PC2100 Registered Antec TruePower 550W EPS12V Plus usual HD's, DVD-R's.... DUAL XEON #2: Dual Intel Xeon's 2.80 GHz 512K 533FSB ASUS PC-DL Deluxe Corsair 1024MB TwinX PC3200 (2 x 512MB) Antec TruePower 550W EPS12V Plus usual HD's, DVD-R's.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Hess Posted January 25, 2004 Share Posted January 25, 2004 [DUAL XEON #1: Dual Intel Xeon's 2.80 GHz 512K 533FSB Supermicro Super X5DAE Two - Micron Original 512MB PC2100 Registered Antec TruePower 550W EPS12V Plus usual HD's, DVD-R's.... DUAL XEON #2: Dual Intel Xeon's 2.80 GHz 512K 533FSB ASUS PC-DL Deluxe Corsair 1024MB TwinX PC3200 (2 x 512MB) Antec TruePower 550W EPS12V Plus usual HD's, DVD-R's.... [/QB] Either of these two are fine. Btw Supermicro makes a board which allows the use of PC2100 unbuffered DDR. (You could easily afford 2 gb of ram then). Choice 2 is nice because of hte increased bandwidth...but.. Pentium IV QDR Bus 400 3.2 gb/sec 533 4.3 gb/sec 800 6.4 gb/sec DCDDR (Dual Channel DDR) PC2100 (266) 4.2 gb/sec PC2700 (333) 5.4 gb/sec PC3200 (400) 6.4 gb/sec Note that the Xeon's (even on the i875 platform) still are running at a 533 bus. Aka you probably won't see too much difference in PC3200 vs PC2100, even if the board has the ability to use that type of ram. I don't know I didn't think about this earlier (in other posts involving this) but technically due to intel's inferior architecture, each xeon processor only has access to half the ram bandwidth. So in the best case scenario, your looking at around 2.1 gb/sec bandwidth per processor. Thats alot of wasted bandwidth with the PC3200 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Knourek Posted January 25, 2004 Author Share Posted January 25, 2004 So out of the 3 the best bang for my buck would probably be Xeon #1? Greg, I'm just curious why you didn't say anything about the Opteron as the Tyan board is supposed to have agp 8x on board so it could be used as a workstation. Here's a link to it http://www.tyan.com/products/html/tigerk8w.html Anyway thanks for the fast reply Greg -dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Hess Posted January 25, 2004 Share Posted January 25, 2004 Dave, I didn't recommend the opterons because of your Vray note. Since vray gets such a massive gain in performance from hyperthreading, any performance increase the opterons might of had would be negated. Or at least...be extremely close...in which case the Xeon's would be the cheaper solution. http://www.supermicro.com/PRODUCT/MotherBoards/E7505/X5DAL-G.htm This is the board I'd consider if I were you. It allows you to use unbuffered PC2100 DDR. Might help you shave off some money. Greg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
graphix Posted January 25, 2004 Share Posted January 25, 2004 xeon one......supermicro boards are solid. graphix Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Knourek Posted January 25, 2004 Author Share Posted January 25, 2004 Great thanks much for the info Greg. I was only thinking of the Opteron for "upgradeability" unless the Xeon CPU's will be going higher than 3.2ghz. Anyway by the looks of it I'll prob go with the Xeon and I was looking at the X5DAE ($699cdn) and the X5DAL-G ($629cdn) I was leaning toward the X5DAE only because of the onboard audio so I didnt have to worry about the extra card. Even though the other is a little cheaper a deasent audio card will prob cost me around $150cdn and will work out the same or more than the other even with the cheaper ram which there is only $45cdn in difference between the two for 512mb sticks of Micron memory. Thanks again, -dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Hess Posted January 26, 2004 Share Posted January 26, 2004 Dave, Check supermicro's site. There is another version of the X5DAL which has SATA and audio support. I just posted the most bare of the unbuffered DDR boards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Knourek Posted January 26, 2004 Author Share Posted January 26, 2004 Cool thanks Greg I'll check it out. -dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Knourek Posted January 26, 2004 Author Share Posted January 26, 2004 Hey Greg, One more thing, that X5DAL-G Supermicro board is suposed to be an ATX form factor. (dumb question)=> that should fit nicely into the antec/chieftech cases rite? Thanks, -dave *edit* Lastly would there be a big difference in performance btwn 2.8xeon and a 3.06xeon? my dealer doesnt list the 3.2ghz but the 3.06 is $200 more each than the 2.8? I think this is what Ive finally setteled on. [ January 26, 2004, 03:00 PM: Message edited by: David Knourek ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Hess Posted January 27, 2004 Share Posted January 27, 2004 Dave... Are you in the states? Is someone building the system for you? Or are you just spec'in parts? If so, try http://www.newegg.com. On just the LCD's you'd save over 200 bucks a pop. http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=24-001-143&depa=1 If they are building it for you...just get it san's LCD's, order the LCD's through newegg, and upgrade to the 3.06's for free . (Cause the LCD's would save you 200 bucks each) Ya ATX would fit no problem...extended ATX (the original boards you were looking at) might of had an issue. I bet you could save over 1000 USD if you ordered the parts through newegg...if your ordering through a builder, then its understandable why it costs more. Woops, sale on the 191T+'s at newegg...after you add it to the cart their almost 300 USD cheaper EACH!!!! (I'd still get the LCD's seperate so I'd have a guilt free upgrade to 3.06's ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Knourek Posted January 27, 2004 Author Share Posted January 27, 2004 No Im in Canada and can't order anything from newegg. I tried to order a case from them last year and they said that they wont accept any Canadian orders anyway all those prices are in Canadian dollars and Im building the system myself. Anyway the parts should be here tomorrow Thanks again Greg, -dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacy Spear Posted February 1, 2004 Share Posted February 1, 2004 Greg, Did Intel discontinue the MP for non Xeon processors? Just wondering because if they didn't wouldn't the 800B PIV be better for dual systems? Thanks Well, so searching on Intel.com answered my question. Since the Xeon is always (seemingly) behind the updates on the primary line, it seems to me that dual systems will now always lag in speed. [ February 01, 2004, 11:24 AM: Message edited by: Stacy Spear ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Hess Posted February 1, 2004 Share Posted February 1, 2004 STACY!!!!!!! Hey how are you!!! Long time no speak . Aye, no Dual P4's... The Pentium IV is a socket 478, and the Xeon is a Socket 603 (400 FSB) and Socket 604 (533). The extra pin's are for SMP (or multiprocessing). There is also ANOTHER version of the Xeon, which runs even more behind...but it allows for more cache, and can handle an additional two cpu's. (Quad lovin). This variant is referred to as "Xeon-MP". Intel will be annoucing the next group of Xeon's (800 FSB) in Q2 2004...which means they probably won't be out till Q3 2004. Good to hear from you Greg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacy Spear Posted February 3, 2004 Share Posted February 3, 2004 Yes Greg, long time. I have been stuck for the last year in Kuwait. Got mobilized, sent over, now home again. The Army is excercising their 2nd year option on me, which probably means I will be back over there again soon. Which means wife is trying to talk me out of building a new system. I picked up a Dell for her, and she thinks I should buy one of those. She never understands the passion! Good to hear from you as well. Maybe this year we can meet at Siggraph, but that is totally dependent on the Army! Take Care! Stacy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brent Bily Posted February 3, 2004 Share Posted February 3, 2004 Dave, I'm in Canada as well and was just wondering where you are ordering your parts from. Are you happy with their pricing and services etc.? Any other recommended suppliers in Canada or that ship to Canada? Thanks. Brent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Knourek Posted February 3, 2004 Author Share Posted February 3, 2004 Hey Brent here is a couple places where I get my parts. Local: http://www.memoryexpress.com - Usually have great prices and service that can't be beat. I've been dealing there for the last 5 years. B.C.: http://www.ntcw.com - Ive bought quite a bit through these guys and there pricing seems to be good and havn't had any problems with them yet. *EDIT* Going to try these guys www.ncix.com now that I got screwed over by NTCW (see post below) Ive talked to a few people and there are a few guys I know across Canada that have used NCIX with no problems. Toronto: http://www.bigfootcomputers.com - I've only bought a couple items from these guys cause they don't take Master Card but I havn't had any problems with these guys in the past. Hope that helps a little. -dave [ February 09, 2004, 08:26 AM: Message edited by: David Knourek ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brent Bily Posted February 5, 2004 Share Posted February 5, 2004 Hi Dave, Thanks! Memory Express has a snappy little site with a great selection. I like it a lot! I used to live in Calgary many moons ago. Just curious what kind of work you do and for whom? Thanks again. Brent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Knourek Posted February 5, 2004 Author Share Posted February 5, 2004 Hey Brent, I used to manage an Ad Agency here in town till they went under and have since started my own studio. www.dnadigital.ca currently the site is under heavy reconstruction but should be up in a couple weeks. -dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Knourek Posted February 7, 2004 Author Share Posted February 7, 2004 Ok Brent, new update on www.ntcw.com I wont be buying anything from there ever again. I ordered little over $200 in parts from them on last monday (Feb 2) and hadn't received anything by friday so I gave them a call and asked where the order was and they said that they didnt ship it till Thursday!! I told him I was quite disapointed due to the fact I had ordered the parts 3 days ago paid extra for faster shipping and that they should have been here by now and he proceded to tell me "To bad its not my problem" and hung up on me So they wont be seeing any more of my money for the rest of this lifetime. -dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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