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Powering quad gx2s...

U

usmcz

n00b
Joined
Mar 17, 2009
Messages
13
Hey all,

I'm getting into folding and have slowly been acquiring parts - and I am going to be using amd boards/processors - so I am curious, what is the cheapest processor that can power 4x 9800gx2's folding 24/7, with a tiny bit of headroom (just in case, I would rather err on the safe side).

I currently have a 7750 Kuma BE lying around not being used, but I don't know if that will do the trick. I was thinking of maybe Phenom X4 9550 but if anything lesser/cheaper can do the trick, I'd love to know.
 
athlon x2 240.. could even go single core.. if you wanted.. each gpu client only uses 1-5% of the cpu..

if you have the 7750 go ahead and use that.. if you want you can downclock and undervolt it to so you can save a little power at least..

stop by the distributed computing sub forum at the bottom of the main forum.. we have a lot of systems in there that are shown and theres a lot more help down there when it comes to setting up a folding rig..

also remember you MUST use windows xp to run 4 9800GX2's.. vista and windows 7 do not support that many cards because they only allow 8 display ports.. each 9800GX2 shows up as having 3 display ports.. there is no way to fix this.. plenty of people have tried..

for motherboards this is your best option..
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130223
which would mean that you need to at least get the athlon II 240 since its an AM3 only motherboard..

there is an am2/am2+ version.. i cant remember the exact name.. i know its made by MSI.. you should be able to find it in the distributed computing sub forum though.. i believe its the MSI K9N.. but i could be wrong..
 
This is the man to ask about setup questions :)

http://atlasfolding.com/?page_id=148

Atlas Folder is:

23) nVidia GTX295 (46 computing units)
32) 9800GX2 (64 computing units)

14) MSI K9A2 Platinum motherboards
14) AMD dual and quad core processors (9950 and 5050e)
28) Gigabytes RAM

Microsoft Windows XP x64 on all

2 Middle Atlantic Products Slim-5 19″ racks
14 Middle Atlantic Products Clamping Rackshelves, model RC-4
 
well i was close.. on the name of the board.. :p

but no one really carries them anymore so second hands about the only way you will find them at this point.. maybe tiger direct or NCIX still has a couple left..
 
The nvidia client is very easy on theh CPU. You shouldn't need more than 1 core to support 8 GPUs. If you are buying new parts that MSI 790FX GD70 that sirmonkey linked is your best bet. The Athlon2 240 would be about your cheapest option and will easily support 4x GX2s.

The only way to fit 4x GX2s on a motherboard that uses your Kuma would be the old K9A2 platinum. That would be a cheaper option if you can find one. The Kuma will handle it just fine as well. Make sure you are running nekkid or have a case with 8x expansion slots. Either way you'll need extra fans pushing air into the GX2's intakes. I think I have seen where people removed the shroud on the card and improved temps.
 
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