Moving to servers, got questions....

[gwarren007]

I am currently moving to server style cases will be aquiring a 40" rack to house my farm. I am looking to use either 3u or 4u cases.
Questions:
Can you use regular mobos and ps in the server cases?
I plan on 2 socket mobos that house dual core cpu's- what ps?
Brand of mobo's you prefer/had experience with-
Anyone have dual quads up and running?
anyone know of a non-server dual quad board?
cooling the "boxen"

 

[[BRO]Alaskan]

Yes you can use regular power supplies in most 4U cases.http://cgi.ebay.com/4U-500-CA-CODEG...QQihZ006QQcategoryZ106271QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
I would look for any good quality 500-600w supply (this would easly power a dual quad). or if you go a single quad or (2) dual core a 350w would be fine
Here your choices are wide open unless you go with a dual quad. ATX boards will mount in just fine.
Zim01 has a dual quad running http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1130264
There are 0 non-server dual quad boards
Personally I would wait a few months for the next price drop. Intel C2Q will drop to $500 for a 2.33ghz than can be clocked over 3.0ghz. Uses regular DDR2-800 ram. Good for 2000-2500PPD for Linux SMP

 

[gwarren007]

I won't be able to get the mobo or cpu's until ~ june, then I will get the Q6600. I might deal to get a X2 3800-6100 combo (maybe 2) to help PPD in the meantime.

 

[Mohonri]

Is there a reason you're going for a rackmount setup? I like the sexy appeal of a rack full of cases, but it costs a whole lot more to use a real rack instead of, say, cases lines up on a shelf.

 

[[BRO]Alaskan]

I have actually been thinking about putting my garden in a server rack this summer and adding an O/Ced C2Q to the mix.

 

[zim01]

1U's, supermicro mb/case, dual channel memory,5160's or 5355's running the SMP client

 

[gwarren007]

Is there a reason you're going for a rackmount setup? I like the sexy appeal of a rack full of cases, but it costs a whole lot more to use a real rack instead of, say, cases lines up on a shelf.

I am going to server cases to expand my folding and condense the clutter. I am using our spare bedroom. We have 2 computers that we use full time and if I was to put, say 12 computers in the same room as the guests, they might (as well as my wife) object to the clutter. Now when I put the computers in the rack, it allows for more processors and less clutter. Picture a 12' long desk with a center console computer with 12 processors
p.s. I'm getting the rack for free!

 

[ND40oz]

Just for a little clarification, there are non-server dual quadcore boards. Any of the Intel 5000x chipset boards should support the quad core xeons (53xx series). They all have a x16 PCIe slot if you want to do some GPU folding as well, which you could with 4U cases.

 

[gwarren007]

Who's making the boards? I havent seen one yet.

 

[ND40oz]

Intel, Tyan, Supermicro, HP and Dell all have dual processor quad core capable workstation boards. Asus has one due out shortly as well.

 

[[BRO]Alaskan]

Just for a little clarification, there are non-server dual quadcore boards. Any of the Intel 5000x chipset boards should support the quad core xeons (53xx series). They all have a x16 PCIe slot if you want to do some GPU folding as well, which you could with 4U cases.

Cool I had not found them. Can you O/C with those boards?

 

[Pocatello]

Who's making the boards? I havent seen one yet.

Intel makes a workstation board for the dual quads.

 

[ND40oz]

Cool I had not found them. Can you O/C with those boards?

only overclocking I have seen is a BSEL mod to take the 1066 processor to 1333. Works really well, you essentially turn your 5120 into a 5140. I assume the 1066 quadcores will do the same.

 

[gwarren007]

I was thinking of running linux, and would like the opinion of the folding team for easy intro into linux with a Gui.

I'm going to try ubuntu 6.10.