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Intel Xeon socket-604 or AMD socket 939?

P

Pocatello

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I'm new to the [H]orde. I'm trying to buy/build some computers to fold. I've been checking prices and here is kinda what I found. But I don't know what will work best in the long run, when costs of electricity for the amount of points I get are considered.

Here goes:

Intel Socket 604 dual Xeon motherboard: ~$50 ------Dually system ------
two 2.0Ghz CPUs: ~$150
memory-- 1gb PC 3200 ~80
total: $280

==================================================

AMD Socket 939 motherboard: ~$125 --------single CPU system --------
one AMD 3200+ CPU $190
memory-- 1gb PC 3200 ~80
total: $395

While the AMD 939 is $115 more, it is also brand new with warranties, while the Xeon system is used from Ebay.

Which system will do me better in the long run? I'm sure some of you guys have thought this through way more than I have. What was your conclusion?

Thanks!
 
I would personally go with the AMD. Although the single processor will probably not perform as well as the dual Xeon, if you purchase right, you can drop a dual-core in there later, and then it will spank that dual Xeon and not even call the next morning. If you're just folding with the computers, 512MB should be enough RAM if you wanted to shave ~$40 off.

Electrically, you're not likely to see a huge difference if you're just running one computer. However, the AMD is going to run cooler, so the cost of A/C will be lower.

Without hard numbers, I would guess that the single Athlon64 3200+ will turn in ~60 - 75% of the points as the dual Xeon.
 
If you plan on folding for a long time, i would go with the new AMD system. Dude is right about the dualcore, and those will eventually be pretty cheep (at least i hope so!!). Plus, if you plan on leaving it on 24/7 and running it for a few years, i think you would have the best luck with new hardware.

I congradulate you on your dedication to the [H]hard folding team. The extra cycles are greatly appreciated. It is truely an honorable deed to purchase seperate systems just to fold on.
 
oooh, and don't forget about overclocking!!! if you get a Venice, you can OC the mofo, and crunch more!!
 
I spent hours on ebay last night.

I think I can do better with brand new products from New Egg and Fat Wallet and TechBargains.

I have a good idea about what a new product's price is, and I think it is crazy what people pay for used products.


I will grant you that the server motherboards for the Xeon 604 sockets were sweet, but they had lots of features I don't need. (Cool features, none-the-less.)

I'm still shopping... and thinking...
 
HeWhoMustNotBeNamed said:
But I don't know what will work best in the long run, when costs of electricity for the amount of points I get are considered.
Click to expand...
Is electricity a concearn?

If so, Pentium M is for you! Although, its sure not a 200$ computer, lol. The Pentium M is at a bit of a price point. Although you get a fantastic folding processor, one of the best in my book and here's why:

I have a brand new, AMD Opteron 252 @ 2.6GHz. It puts out an average of 340 Points Per Day (PPD) using 200watts.
I have a laptop, Pentium M @ 1.5GHz. It puts out an average of 225 PPD using 30 watts.
The funny part is, they now make Pentium M's all the way past 2GHz, so I can only dream of the Points they put out.

In all my tests, the Pentium M comes out the best. Its the most efficient processor hertz for hertz I have. Its also the most efficient processor watts for watts I have.

All in all though, if I had to choose between the two you listed, I would go the AMD route.

Good luck!
 
Well, I made the decision to go with the Xeons.

I am now the proud owner of ten (10!) Xeon dual CPU SCSI motherboards. Now I just need some CPUs, memory, PSUs, and ... maybe that is all.

I'm gonna run them naked. Out of money for now.

Boards look great. Half are brand new, and half are used.

Anyone have some spare Xeons?
 
I was able to get the Xeon motheboards cheaper than in my example above. I got all ten for about $360 total, thus $36 apiece.

 
Buy one of each and let us know how they both work out.
 
marty9876 said:
Buy one of each and let us know how they both work out.
Click to expand...


sticking with Intel for folding (for now at least)

My gaming is on AMD

I don't have any money to "buy one of each."

Potentialy, about 40 Ghz of Folding Power: 2ghz + 2ghz (each machine) times 10 boxen

I would rather not sell any of these, but I would be happy to trade for Xeon CPUs of the right type. Thanks.
 
Pretty sweet setup you'll have there. If only Quad Opterons were cheaper in price ;)

Good luck with setting those bad boys up and welcome to the [H]orde!

 
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