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First Dually Build

R

racebanner

n00b
Joined
Dec 22, 2005
Messages
54
I am preparing to purchase my parts for my first dually with the following MOBO and CPU's:

SM H8DCE
2 x Opty 246's (2.0ghz single cores)
2 x 1gb DDR3200 ram

Anything I need to be aware of before ordering these parts, issues, concerns. Are their any stepping issues I should look for. This is my first opty dually and I would like for it to be a success.


Thanks for the input
 
More RAM...two sticks per CPU. I know all the sticklers will pwn me for this one, but for this following sentence, I'm going call each of the 4slot groups next to each CPU a "bank", and recommend that each "Bank" be populated by at least two sticks. (Someone else can jump in with the proper terms).

And like Slarti said, you need a beefy CPU....and also, perhaps some speedier Opty's (I think 254s are the fastest single cores). IMO, if you're going with 2.0ghz Opty's, you might as well just go with a X2 and OC it. If you're running multi-thread apps, go for 265s+, single-threading/games, 254s.
 
Yeah, you need two sticks per cpu to get both NUMA and dual channel.

I think you can run two sticks off of CPU1, but you'll lose numa, if I understand correctly.
 
Slartibartfast said:
Yeah, you need two sticks per cpu to get both NUMA and dual channel.

I think you can run two sticks off of CPU1, but you'll lose numa, if I understand correctly.
Click to expand...

Ok, Will add more ram to populate both CPU's for dual channel mode

I am planning on using Linux (FC4 or 5)
 
You could run 4x512 and get two gigs easily that way.

Do not skimp on the PSU, get a quality one even if it costs a bit more.
 
defakto said:
You could run 4x512 and get two gigs easily that way.

Do not skimp on the PSU, get a quality one even if it costs a bit more.
Click to expand...
4x512 would hurt expansion and only give each CPU a gig. Easier to run less sticks at tighter timings too...
 
movax said:
4x512 would hurt expansion and only give each CPU a gig. Easier to run less sticks at tighter timings too...
Click to expand...

It does reduce cost and it still leaves the option for 4G of ram. It's going to depend alot on his needs. As it stands right now he's only giving 1G per cpu anway.
 
I would go for 4x 1gb sticks. DDR1 is only getting more expensive so you should snag it while you can. Just for reference, I'm using Corsair DDR400 @ 3-3-3-8 and it's fine, no need to spring for Samsung stuff.

Is that PSU single rail? I can't remember offhand, but this board does better with high amp single rail psu's. If you're using linux I imagine you won't be using any beefy videocards, which is good because then you can get away with a relatively weak psu.

If you look in this forum there's a few threads started by myself with some good info on that board.
 
Quoted for Truth!

defakto said:
Do not skimp on the PSU, get a quality one even if it costs a bit more.
Click to expand...


I have (and currently am) runnnig a bunch of Dualie boxes, I love mutli-processor/core systems. :) Best peice of advice is what defakto said, get a good solid quality PSU. Dualie suck a lot of juice and I've had more problems with PSUs then anything else. It puts a hurting on the wattage.

Also secondly, I would suggest getting a good cooling system - air is fine, but make sure you get some proper cooling, most of those "stealth" fans don't cut it.... I ussually run with something beefy (but noisy!) like Torando fans.

Power and Heat issuses are greater on dualie systems (or SLI systems) then "normal" and something to watch out for.
 
budec said:
Also secondly, I would suggest getting a good cooling system - air is fine, but make sure you get some proper cooling, most of those "stealth" fans don't cut it.... I ussually run with something beefy (but noisy!) like Torando fans.
Click to expand...

Agreed, I'm having minor temp issues with my rig right now. It's not overheating persay, but I'm seeing ~50c idle, getting up to 65c under load. I think part of the problem is that the southbridge gets very hot, almost hot enough to burn your finger (and I've got a 70cfm fan blowing over it). All that hot air rises up right into cpu1.
 
All good advice and it will be taken into account, thanks much

Re: cooling. I have a LL V2100 case with high speed BB fans in the following configuration:

Main compartment
1 x 120 pulling air into the case from the rear stock location
1 x 120 in the side cover centered between where the 2 CPU's would be.
2 x 120 in the top as blow holes

HDD bay
1 x 120 in side cover centered in HDD bay pulling air in
1 x 120 vent hole in opposite side cover exhausting air
1 x 120 (stock location front fan on a controller that turns on the fan if HDD temps rise to a preset level)

PSU bay
2 x 80 pulling air in to the compartment supplying fresh air to PSU fan. Note I am using the LL Plus case PSU air director cover over the PSU exhaust to direct exhaust air out to the side of the case so the 2 80's above the normal exhaust cannot recirculate the warm air coming from the PSU.

All fan locations are full openings with all stock grill covers(fancy machined slots etc) removed and standard wire grills installed to maximize airflow.


Re: Ram concerns - The box is more of a first build with no real heavy duty usage expected so the 4 x 512 seems reasonable and can make that change and most likely fine for its early intended use at this point.
Budget is a little tight and would like to go ahead and spend extra money on the PSU based on the comments above (yes the PC&C 510 is a single rail, had considered the 850 but I beleive it is a multi rail PSU, Recommendations appreciated on this part!!!)

Re: Vid card - Yeah I am not a gamer per se, I admin 16 quake2 servers in Dallas and moslty do background maintenance and setup changes hence the reason for the more subdued vid card (nvidia 7600gs) although I have had good luck with Linux and Nvidia or ATI drivers it is not a gamer box. So no SLI or high end vid cards will be used.

If I could get WinServer 2003 at a reasonalbe price I would consider using Winders as I thoroughly dislike XP (seems bloated with bells and whistles for the masses, that I just dont need or use).

Any way I appreciate the directions received so far and will implement accordingly.

Thanks All!!
 
racebanner said:
I am preparing to purchase my parts for my first dually with the following MOBO and CPU's:

SM H8DCE
2 x Opty 246's (2.0ghz single cores)
2 x 1gb DDR3200 ram

Anything I need to be aware of before ordering these parts, issues, concerns. Are their any stepping issues I should look for. This is my first opty dually and I would like for it to be a success.


Thanks for the input
Click to expand...

Why?
For that kind of money you could get an X2 or conroe, which will give you better performance and less power usage.
 
spectrumbx said:
Why?
For that kind of money you could get an X2 or conroe, which will give you better performance and less power usage.
Click to expand...

Perhaps he plans on upgrading to multi cores later on when their price drops further.
 
spectrumbx said:
Why?
For that kind of money you could get an X2 or conroe, which will give you better performance and less power usage.
Click to expand...


True, but I am building this to try out a dualie, I have always wanted to build a dual CPU compy and even though a Dual CORE CPU may be able to do the same work it will not ever have the VISUAL APPEAL.. Grin
 
racebanner said:
True, but I am building this to try out a dualie, I have always wanted to build a dual CPU compy and even though a Dual CORE CPU may be able to do the same work it will not ever have the VISUAL APPEAL.. Grin
Click to expand...

So just out of curiosity, is this build going to be doing a lot of work? I mean if you just want to build a duallie for the sake of it (which I totally understand :D ) maybe you should look into putting together an Athlon MP system. It will still perform well but should be a lot easier on the budget.

But regardless, I think what you're planning will work fine.

edit: on the psu...

I have the Zippy 850 and it works fine, only costs about $350. It's 60a on one rail so it works great, but if you're not going to be using any serious graphics cards I'm sure you could get away with the PCP+C 510. You could also look at the Zippy 700, which is single rail @ 45 amps. Best place for zippy's is myaopen.com.
 
Re: Dualie Use - No heavy work at all, just a project I had always wanted to do. It may in time be used to do a small amount of video work as I have loads of VHS I would like to get onto DVD

Re: PSU - Thanks I will look into the zippy
 
Running duals is a whole new lifestyle. It's really hard to go back once you get used to it. Dual systems tend to "feel" (subjective term, I know) much better than the a single core system, single proc system.
 
defakto said:
Running duals is a whole new lifestyle. It's really hard to go back once you get used to it. Dual systems tend to "feel" (subjective term, I know) much better than the a single core system, single proc system.
Click to expand...

I love how you can set it to do something like install a program, or some other thing that normally takes a lot of resources, and you can just alt+tab out and go do something else :)
 
Or doing video conversion one one processor while gaming without any noticable change.
 
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