need new computer advice pls

[STRAT]

Hi chaps

 

Just been asked by my boss to look up prices for new rendering computers.

 

as it stands i use 3 daul xeons, which even though are banging on for 3 years, they're still pretty fast. but we want new.

 

basically, i think the way to go is Opterons. dual core. or dual dual core? can i buy a 4 processing machine? i'a know nerthing.

 

so being realistic, and hopefully off the shelf, and definately in the UK, can anyone suggest any web sites or sales sites i can get some prices from please? i need to give my I.T. and Financial managers a quick report a.s.a.p.

 

i need some advice please guys

 

ta muchly

[JamesTaylor]

if i remember correctly http://www.overclockers.co.uk do some pretty mean off the shelf setups.....without going to a more specialist place or specing it yourself its probably the best i know........ http://www.cclcomputers.com is where i have an account setup but i tend spec it myself, not sure their off the shelf stuff is ultra exciting but defo worth a look.

 

one point would be that if your going for off the shelf stuff, its probably going to contain a few bits such as high end graphics cards and massive HD's that you don't need on render nodes etc so you will be able to save or use the money on other parts. I'd suggest specing it as much as you can, use the off the shelf products as a guide if need be....many of these off the shelf stuff is aimed at gamers etc

[kippu]

i thought core 2 duos are ruling the market now ...but i am not the hardware genius ...

[AJLynn]

Maybe when they get to market. If you want something that's available now you want AMD, they easily beat the current (until next month or so) Intel boxes in every category except mobile high end - everybody here is confused because I've got a render going on my laptop and, no, I don't want to want that on my P4 desktop.

 

Yeah, you can get a dual-dual (4 CPU cores) Opteron.

[manta]

I hope your not replacing those other computers, and are just adding to them, it would be silly to get rid of 6 extra processors...

[anvaraziz]

go for dual dual core optrons,, ( optron 275 or 280)

[AJLynn]

OTOH, I just saw some rendering benchmarks for the new Intels compared to the AMDs.

 

http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2795&p=11

 

Keep in mind, the Intel E6600 is a $300 chip that is beating the AMD FX-62, a $1000 chip. They're also releasing Xeon versions of these things that can go dual-dual. I'd expect you might be able to hit 1500 in multi-CPU rendering. Run the latest Cinebench on your dual Xeon and you can compare. For rendering purposes, an Opteron dual is about as good as an Athlon dual at the same clock frequency and cache (I think all the ones in that review are the 512K x2 versions).

[manta]

How do these benchmarks compare to the core duo laptops...just curious, cause if they don't seriously tromp them, I think I"ll go with something portable...

[AJLynn]

If you look at the Cinebench multi-CPU test they did, my Mac (a Core Duo 2.16 with 2GB RAM) scores about the same as a Pentium XE 965 when running MacOS or an Athlon X2 4200 in Windows. I'm not sure exactly what that means for a non-Mac Duo running Windows, but the range is pretty tight anyway. The Core2 beats it, but not by much until you go to the ultra-high-end (the X6800 is projected at $1000). I think the optimal price/performance here will probably be a 2.4GHz Xeon dual-dual.

 

I hear AMD is going to drop their prices when Intel releases these, so AMD will remain competitive at the mid-range, but Intel will own the ultra-high-end for a while - when they release a Xeon 2.93 dual-dual, AMD will counter with a new motherboard that supports dual-dual FX chips, but the Intel will be faster.

[manta]

are these new intel 's 64bit, I know that the core duo's are not, I think

[AJLynn]

Yes, FWIW - I'm not sure how to compare the Intel 64-bit implementation to the AMD.

[STRAT]

thanks for the advice.

 

i think the immediate option open for me is an opteron dual dual core.

btw, dont worry about my xeons, the new computers will compliment them. even after 3 years my xeons are way faster than any single proc machine around

[STRAT]

ok, can we clarify a couple of things then please?

 

to sum up, what's available to me at this point in time -

 

intel dual processing xeons

AMD dual cores

AMD dual dual cores

 

and i'm pressuming the AMD dual dual cores are the best solution.

 

If i've missed out something here then please pipe up and say. as you've probably gathered, i'm not particulally technically savvy, so plain english explanations would be a bonus!!!

 

thanks fellers, ur advice is invaluable.

[AJLynn]

Intel also has a current line of dual-cores and dual-duals, but nobody's mentioned them because they're not very good.

[Cesar R]

help me,

guys I know the Core Duos are 32bit...

 

what about the pentium-D chips - those are dual core 32 also the same as the core duos?

 

I am looking to get a new machine and I am in between a pentium D 930 or spend the extra money and go with a Xeon 5060 ( that is a dual core 64?) and then buy a second processor down the line.

[AJLynn]

Don't buy a Pentium D. If you want a dual-core based on currently available chips, buy an AMD system (which is 64-bit). See my post in that other thread.

[Tim Nelson]

Strat you gotta check out Intel's Woodcrest chip which is Intels latest Xeon. They beat the Opteron 285's, consume less power, and run cooler. Boxx is selling systems with these chips. We just ordered one but it hasn't come in yet.

 

http://www.tomshardware.com/2006/06/26/xeon_woodcrest_preys_on_opteron/

 

We have been ordering Opteron systems, but for now it seems like the Woodcrest Xeon takes the lead.

[Tim Nelson]

The link for the Boxx version, Woodcrest/5100 series.

 

http://www.boxxtech.com/products/8300.asp

[STRAT]

what about this lot?

 

http://www.computing.co.uk/itweek/news/2160888/intel-ends-pentium-era-core

[Tim Nelson]

I don't know a whole lot about the Conroe. From what I hear they sound good. Can you use those in a dual processor configuration?

[AJLynn]

Conroe is the consumer version of Woodcrest - almost the same thing, not dual-dual capable, like the old P4/Xeon relationship

[Cesar R]

is that available yet? BTW which chipset should I consider if I am going with a xeon 51XX ? I saw a supermicro motherboard with 5000X chipset.

[AJLynn]

It's not out and I have no idea what chipset you'd need - I'd assume that motherboards would start to be available when the chips come out, so check Newegg and look for reviews on sites like TomsHardware.com and Anandtech.com.

[Chad Warner]

Strat you gotta check out Intel's Woodcrest chip which is Intels latest Xeon. They beat the Opteron 285's, consume less power, and run cooler. Boxx is selling systems with these chips. We just ordered one but it hasn't come in yet.

 

http://www.tomshardware.com/2006/06/26/xeon_woodcrest_preys_on_opteron/

 

We have been ordering Opteron systems, but for now it seems like the Woodcrest Xeon takes the lead.

 

Tim, you need to let us know how it performs once you get in the office. We're in need of a new computer around here, and have been torn between the opterons and waiting for the new Intel stuff.

[Geoffc]

Tim, you need to let us know how it performs once you get in the office. We're in need of a new computer around here, and have been torn between the opterons and waiting for the new Intel stuff.

 

I will let you know also.

 

just ordered one from Boxx, due here in ~3 weeks.

 

Up until my old system at home died this last week, I was hoping to hold out to see the Socket F benchmarks in a couple months.

 

But, needing a new system now, I did press the salesman at Boxx about the new Woodcrests vs possible new Socket F's. He seemed to think that going with the Woodcrest would be fine, that the Socket F's would only be 'as fast' as them.

 

dunno if this was already posted, but look at the Max performance vs the Opteron 285's:

http://www.gamepc.com/labs/view_content.asp?id=xeon5160&page=6