Help w system for number crunching and compiling

J

jegefe

n00b
Joined
Mar 21, 2008
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5
I don't know much about hardware, but I am pretty sure I need a more powerful system.

I am running jobs, which push my PC to 95-100% of CPU for many hours. So, I have two problems; First, I can't use my PC for anything else when these jobs are running - it's slow and I'm afraid it will crash. And, second, I'd like to speed things up.

I want to get another more powerful machine to take care of the "grunt work". I will use my current PC for preparing the files, and move them to the new machine for processing and compiling.

I think the new machine can be fairly stripped down in terms of graphics, sound, hard drives, CD/DVD drives etc. I am guessing it will need a fast processor, and lots of RAM.

Basically I am doing two things - contouring large data sets, and compiling large text files. File sizes can be 100 - 500 MB typically, and as I said, I'm at 100% CPU for hours.

What kind of processor do I want for this type of work? Contouring involves "floating point" operations, but compiling doesn't. Is the same type of processor good for both of these operations, or will I have to compromise?

Any recommendations for CPU/motherboard?

Is 64 bit XP Pro the way to go?

I'd like to keep it under $1000 - thinking of building it myself

the system I have now, is Pentium 4 630 "prescott" at 3GHz, with 3GB RAM. Dell Dimension 8400.


thanks.
 
is the software you're using multithreaded?

-core 2 quads
-not sure about the rest
 
Going 64 bit will allow you to use more than 3.5GB of RAM, but is your software compatible? Getting a q6600 or any other quad core will allow you to run multiple applications and run them faster, since you will have 4 processors at your disposal
 
Does the applications you are running utilize Multicore functionality?

Do they have SSE3 or SSE4 Capability.

Depending on those Answers, a Core 2 Quad or even Dual Xeon Quad could be your answer. If you are using SSE4 enabled apps, the new "Q9XXX" series of Intel Processors will REALLY boost things for you.
 
I didn't realize there were so many dependencies...

I looked through the documentation for the programs I use, and found no mention of support for 64 Bit, multi-threading, SSE3, or SSE4.

Does this mean I can't get much improvement?

A faster processor will still be faster, right?

Any suggestions are welcome.
 
Yes, using a dual or quad core processor will still be faster. You will be able to compile and contour at the same time at full speed. If you can run 2 instances of these programs you can even compile or contour 2 to 4 things at once.
 
jegefe said:
SSE4.
Click to expand...

That's so new you shouldn't expect much support.

Multicore processors will do a lot for you. A quad will give you the ability to run three heavy single-thread programs and still have one core dedicated to your other tasks. When I run two World Community Grid programs simultaneously at 95% on a dual core, I still have enough capacity to browse the web without noticing any speed loss.
 
jegefe said:
I didn't realize there were so many dependencies...

I looked through the documentation for the programs I use, and found no mention of support for 64 Bit, multi-threading, SSE3, or SSE4.

Does this mean I can't get much improvement?

A faster processor will still be faster, right?

Any suggestions are welcome.
Click to expand...

Thinking about it, with a $1K Budget, you can build a Machine that will tear through pretty much anything you can throw at it. I have spec'd a system here for you using good, reliable parts. This isnt an "Overclockers" machine, but a good, solid workstation that you can number crunch with or game or do your work tasks. INcluded is a copy of Vista 64bit.


Newegg.com;


Qty. Product Description Savings Total Price

SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S203N - OEM
Item #: N82E16827151154
$29.99

Antec Sonata III 500 Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply - Retail
Item #: N82E16811129024
$30.00 Mail-in Rebate $149.95
$119.95

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Item #: N82E16822136073
$94.99

OCZ Reaper HPC Edition 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2RPR800C44GK - Retail
$25.00 Mail-in Rebate $114.99
Item #: N82E16820227267
$109.99

Intel BOXDP35DPM LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813121314
$106.99

MSI N9600GT 512M OC GeForce 9600GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Item #: N82E16814127333
-$49.99 Combo
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate $214.98
$164.99

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600 - Retail
Item #: N82E16819115017
&
Microsoft Windows Vista 64-Bit Home Premium for System Builders Single Pack DVD -
Item #: N82E16832116204
-$10.00 Instant
-$20.00 Combo
$359.98
$329.98


Subtotal: $956.88
 
i dont know much about 64 bit windows but doesnt the software have to be compatible for you to use it?
 
Shmuckety said:
i dont know much about 64 bit windows but doesnt the software have to be compatible for you to use it?
Click to expand...


Vista can run pretty much anything, but there are the oddball apps that might not work.

What applications are you using?
 
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