Torn between Socket F 8-core build and something new

[MisterDNA]

I don't know for sure what to do as it's been so long since my last build. I'm a gamer, but I'm first and foremost a 3D artist and game creator so I'd rather have more cores than a higher clock speed the majority of the time.

This is intended to replace the IBM Intellistation A quad-core machine I have listed in my signature. I do this to gain virtualization and DDR-2 RAM.

I can't go Intel. I have to use an AMD platform due to the fact I'm building a 10-node, 40-core renderfarm/supercomputer/UDK Swarm rig and it's made up of a great many Socket 940 DC Opterons.

Here's the hardware list I had in mind:

Tyan S2927A2NRF-E motherboard (as opposed to the non "E" version so I can upgrade to Shanghai or Istanbul in the future.)
2x Opteron 8356 2.3GHz Barcelona Quad-core CPUs (they are dirt cheap right now, less than $90 each)
8x 2GB DDR2 PC2-5300 ECC Reg modules
1x ATI 5770
2x Seagate 1.5TB (from the recent Newegg combo deal)
Seasonic S12 600W PSU
Antec P180 case


While I could go with the Tyan S2927 board in non "E" trim and save almost $200, it's already EOL while the E version will handle 4.8GHz HT and already supports 6-core CPUs. The readily-available S2927G2NR doesn't have onboard sound or Firewire, either, so there's added expense in getting those two functions, as well. In addition, the $110 non-"E" boards are used and don't come with any goodies or warranty.

The lack of PCI-E 2.0 on the Tyan board has me a bit apprehensive, though I have never known the x16 slots to reach saturation so I'm not sure.

If there's something incredible out there I just haven't heard of yet, I'd certainly like to know about it.

 

[LittleMeEgo]

Well if you can't go Intel and you really want to upgrade then you'll need to get the most powerful AMD chip you can afford/justify. Sounds like you have a plan to me.