So my budget system is up and crunching 24/7 and all is well... next project- Dual quad core...
Does anyone have such a beast crunching?

Yep! Lots of them in the top computers list.

However....

If you want the fastest (and maybe the cheapest), check out the #1 machine. It's a Mac. =;^)

I'll never switch over to the dark side! :)

hmmmm... I always thought that Microsoft was the Dark Side, and that Apple was the Force of Light and Truth. ;-D

NO NO NO Microsoft is NOT the Dark Side.... Just Borg... You Will Be Assimilated...

---

When we finally figure it all out, all the rules will change and we can start all over again.

His computer is 3rd in the top computers list, right behind the expensive Apples.

You left out a word... It should say, "His computer is 3rd in the top computers list, right behind the less expensive Apples.

You cannot be serious. Try to customize a Quad Core Xeon Mac Pro for less than $2500 (you do not even get a quad core for that price... you must next upgrade to two quads).

Maybe you missed the point of this thread... cheap dual quad cores. Not OEM built quads. I provided and tested all the components required for a sub $1600 dual quad.

Sorry... I do not want to argue with you but, your statement makes no sense.

---

Overclock with the MSI G31M3-L and Intel E8600 3.33Ghz
Intel D865GLC Socket 478 Motherboard
~How To Overclock The Eee ASUS 1005HA Netbook To 1.9Ghz~

His computer is 3rd in the top computers list, right behind the expensive Apples.

You left out a word... It should say, "His computer is 3rd in the top computers list, right behind the less expensive Apples.

You cannot be serious. Try to customize a Quad Core Xeon Mac Pro for less than $2500 (you do not even get a quad core for that price... you must next upgrade to two quads).

Maybe you missed the point of this thread... cheap dual quad cores. Not OEM built quads. I provided and tested all the components required for a sub $1600 dual quad.

Sorry... I do not want to argue with you but, your statement makes no sense.

Actually; from the title of this Thread as "Dual Quad Core build questions", I don't see any specification or limitation of price mentioned herein... However; agreed, that if you are on a budget that there are many ways to get the job done.

Yet; for the system I am building for my Teammate, we are FAR outspending the $1600 mark that you mention. This is not bad, it is not good, it is just another approach to the "question". ;-D

The ASUS DSBF-D/SAS board that I researched is a very very high caliber board; at approx. $700, just for the MOBO - this system build is not for the price squeamish... I still would like to know from someone whom has already completed a system build like those we are discussing here whether or not Win XP Pro X64 will work on a Server Board. As stated earlier, I am getting conflicting information on this one point. If XP Pro X64 will work on the DSBF-D/SAS, (or any other Socket 771 Server Board), then this becomes my OS of choice. Server 2003 X64 and 32 seem to have many driver limitations for Video and Sound cards.

Yesterday, I did find a Sound Card by Auzen that claims to work with Server 2003 and 2003 X64. However; even the ATI Card that I specified earlier does not have 2003 Server driver support. An ATI Rep told me this morning that while "...not supported by ATI, you can download, install, and use the XP Pro X64 Driver from our Site and use it in Server 2003 X64. We know that the XP Drivers work in Vista and Vista 64; so, this driver should function in 2003 Server X64, too." Yet, with the limitations placed by the Server OS - I really want to use XP Pro X64 as my OS of choice for this system. So, hopefully, someone here can answer that question - will XP Pro X64 run on a Server Board? Thanks in advance.


Later,

---

TimeLord04
Have TARDIS, will travel...
Come along K-9!
Join Calm Chaos

Hi TimeLord,

yes, it will. I'm running XP64 on Dual and Quad Xeon machines just fine; no need to go to Server 2003. XP64 and S2003 drivers are compatible, as well - that's because "XP"64 is really not XP, but a non-server version of Windows 2003.

HTH,
Simon.

---

Donate to SETI@Home via PayPal!

Optimized SETI@Home apps + Information

You cannot be serious. Try to customize a Quad Core Xeon Mac Pro for less than $2500 (you do not even get a quad core for that price... you must next upgrade to two quads).

Maybe you missed the point of this thread... cheap dual quad cores. Not OEM built quads. I provided and tested all the components required for a sub $1600 dual quad.

Sorry... I do not want to argue with you but, your statement makes no sense.

I was talking about comparably configured machines between Apple and Dell, and that means dual dual-core. Comparing dual dual-core Apple vs. Dell, the Apple will be cheaper. I expect the same to happen when dual quad-core are offered by Apple.

FYI, the cheapest you can get a dual quad out of Dell is ~$3000 (w/ windows server, 4 DIMMs, and DVD).

---

Dublin, California
Team: SETI.USA

Hi TimeLord,

yes, it will. I'm running XP64 on Dual and Quad Xeon machines just fine; no need to go to Server 2003. XP64 and S2003 drivers are compatible, as well - that's because "XP"64 is really not XP, but a non-server version of Windows 2003.

HTH,
Simon.

Thank you very much for that information, Simon. This opens up worlds of expansion possibilities for this and future systems I plan to build with the Socket 771 Xeon Architecture.

For now, my Teammate wants to use the Server 2003 X64 Standard with one "Woodcrest" Xeon 5160. Later; however, with his plans to obtain and upgrade to Dual "Cloverstown" X5355 Quads, he will have to make a new OS choice as we are being told that Server 2003 X64 Standard won't recognize the 8 cores utilizing the Dual "Cloverstown" Processors. Yet, my Teammate has a "contact" at MS for discounted software. He has already been delivered a copy of Server 2003 X64 Standard; so, for now, that's what I'll install.

Armed with your knowledge and answer to my question; my future Socket 771 System Builds will all be using the XP Pro X64 OS so that I can make full use of other hardware like the ATI X1950 XTX and the Creative Labs "X-Fi" Sound Card Packages. ...and more...

I can't wait to get my Teammate's system up and running to see what the one "Woodcrest" will be capable of with BOINC and SETI@Home. I will be "burn in testing" the system with BOINC. So; for a 72 Hour Period, I expect my RAC will temporarily soar. However; it will also quickly drop, as Excalibur, (my Athlon XP 1.6GHz System), won't hold a candle against this new monster. <sigh, drooling now... >


Sincerely,

---

TimeLord04
Have TARDIS, will travel...
Come along K-9!
Join Calm Chaos

@Timelord: Why buy 5160's? They are very expensive with only a marginal increase in speed over the 2.33Ghz 1333FSB CPU's. I only saw a two minute gain in one hour test, optimized WU's. A tape modded 1.6Ghz Quad Core would take you into 2.0Ghz 1333FSB and cost much less per RAC.

XP Pro 64 worked fine on my Supermicro board.

---

Overclock with the MSI G31M3-L and Intel E8600 3.33Ghz
Intel D865GLC Socket 478 Motherboard
~How To Overclock The Eee ASUS 1005HA Netbook To 1.9Ghz~

@Timelord: Why buy 5160's? They are very expensive with only a marginal increase in speed over the 2.33Ghz 1333FSB CPU's. I only saw a two minute gain in one hour test, optimized WU's. A tape modded 1.6Ghz Quad Core would take you into 2.0Ghz 1333FSB and cost much less per RAC.

XP Pro 64 worked fine on my Supermicro board.

5160's:

Well, my source for parts, (another Teammate), is in Canada. He has his business setup and custom builds cases. His Vendor(s), (being Canada based), can get most items cheaper than here in the US. However; there are some parts that we are finding he has trouble obtaining. One such trouble part at the moment is the newly released "Cloverstown" X5355 Socket 771 Quad Processor. Another is RAM.

New Business:

Together, we are working to find alternatives to the "trouble areas" for parts suppliers. Our goal is to expand his Custom Computer Business into the US. I will then be his US Builder, Shipper, and general Labor Force. However; we are trying hard NOT to have me listed as a VAR/Reseller/Sales Affiliate. If we can manage to bypass that status for me, then we can offer all the custom built systems to the US Market completely free of any Sales Tax.

Another MAJOR hurdle for us is Customs... We are working on ways around this, too; however, long term, we may end up having to deal with customs. Depending on what happens at that long term juncture, it may end up cheaper for us to list me as a Reseller Affiliate of his business so that at that point I can more easily obtain parts at wholesale for reselling to the US Customer base. Then we return to Sales Tax. If the Federal Government gets its way, (ongoing battle for several years, and I haven't heard anything new), then we will all be paying our local State Sales Taxes on all internet purchases. This, (happily), has not been enforced yet. So, in the meantime, since I am in California then all California Sales would be subject to Sales Tax - again; if I become a VAR/Reseller.

Answer to your original question:

So, for now, to answer your question - it is a matter of what my one fellow Teammate in Arizona buying this system can afford combined with what my other Teammate in Canada can get supplied from his Vendor(s). For now, the "Woodcrest" is turning out to be our best option. This will of course change as time goes on and we cross over the remaining business hurdles.

For those whom are registered, (or lurking), at the Calm Chaos Forums; soon, my Canadian Teammate and I will have a link to our combined Business Website. Once linked, people will be able to see the custom built case examples, (including this current system being built), and will be able to order systems from us. The external Website is presently under construction. When it is finished, I will be happy to make the link to it available here in the SETI Forums.


Sincerely,

---

TimeLord04
Have TARDIS, will travel...
Come along K-9!
Join Calm Chaos

His computer is 3rd in the top computers list, right behind the expensive Apples.

You left out a word... It should say, "His computer is 3rd in the top computers list, right behind the less expensive Apples.

You cannot be serious. Try to customize a Quad Core Xeon Mac Pro for less than $2500 (you do not even get a quad core for that price... you must next upgrade to two quads).

Maybe you missed the point of this thread... cheap dual quad cores. Not OEM built quads. I provided and tested all the components required for a sub $1600 dual quad.

Sorry... I do not want to argue with you but, your statement makes no sense.

I did not specify 'cheap' dual quad build but an inexpensive build certainly works for me as this would be a stripped down dedicated 24/7 cruncher... I prefer to configure/build/assemble my own machines (that's half the fun)so perhaps non-oem is a better way to put it... anyway lots of good information so far... thanks!

@Timelord: Why buy 5160's? They are very expensive with only a marginal increase in speed over the 2.33Ghz 1333FSB CPU's. I only saw a two minute gain in one hour test, optimized WU's. A tape modded 1.6Ghz Quad Core would take you into 2.0Ghz 1333FSB and cost much less per RAC.

XP Pro 64 worked fine on my Supermicro board.

5160's:

Well, my source for parts, (another Teammate), is in Canada. He has his business setup and custom builds cases. His Vendor(s), (being Canada based), can get most items cheaper than here in the US. However; there are some parts that we are finding he has trouble obtaining. One such trouble part at the moment is the newly released "Cloverstown" X5355 Socket 771 Quad Processor. Another is RAM.

New Business:

Together, we are working to find alternatives to the "trouble areas" for parts suppliers. Our goal is to expand his Custom Computer Business into the US. I will then be his US Builder, Shipper, and general Labor Force. However; we are trying hard NOT to have me listed as a VAR/Reseller/Sales Affiliate. If we can manage to bypass that status for me, then we can offer all the custom built systems to the US Market completely free of any Sales Tax.

Another MAJOR hurdle for us is Customs... We are working on ways around this, too; however, long term, we may end up having to deal with customs. Depending on what happens at that long term juncture, it may end up cheaper for us to list me as a Reseller Affiliate of his business so that at that point I can more easily obtain parts at wholesale for reselling to the US Customer base. Then we return to Sales Tax. If the Federal Government gets its way, (ongoing battle for several years, and I haven't heard anything new), then we will all be paying our local State Sales Taxes on all internet purchases. This, (happily), has not been enforced yet. So, in the meantime, since I am in California then all California Sales would be subject to Sales Tax - again; if I become a VAR/Reseller.

Answer to your original question:

So, for now, to answer your question - it is a matter of what my one fellow Teammate in Arizona buying this system can afford combined with what my other Teammate in Canada can get supplied from his Vendor(s). For now, the "Woodcrest" is turning out to be our best option. This will of course change as time goes on and we cross over the remaining business hurdles.

For those whom are registered, (or lurking), at the Calm Chaos Forums; soon, my Canadian Teammate and I will have a link to our combined Business Website. Once linked, people will be able to see the custom built case examples, (including this current system being built), and will be able to order systems from us. The external Website is presently under construction. When it is finished, I will be happy to make the link to it available here in the SETI Forums.


Sincerely,

@ Timelord04, If You were located in Nevada You wouldn't have to worry about Sales Tax, As state sales tax charged across state borders are an interstate tariff and the US Supreme Court ruled a few years back that the US Constitution forbids the states from charging their taxes on out of state products that are imported in to any state from any other state and so far in the US We have no national sales tax, thankfully.

As I always say, if you can afford the 5355, go for it. If you can't in one shot, buy one and buy the other one in 6 months, when your wallet recover.

who?

@Timelord: Why buy 5160's? They are very expensive with only a marginal increase in speed over the 2.33Ghz 1333FSB CPU's. I only saw a two minute gain in one hour test, optimized WU's. A tape modded 1.6Ghz Quad Core would take you into 2.0Ghz 1333FSB and cost much less per RAC.

XP Pro 64 worked fine on my Supermicro board.

What is this 'tape mod' you refer to? My QX6700 is currently running at 3408mhz, 426 x 8, with a fsb of 1704 on an Asus Commando. Don't think a 'tape mod' is needed on this mobo.

---

"Time is simply the mechanism that keeps everything from happening all at once."

@Timelord: Why buy 5160's? They are very expensive with only a marginal increase in speed over the 2.33Ghz 1333FSB CPU's. I only saw a two minute gain in one hour test, optimized WU's. A tape modded 1.6Ghz Quad Core would take you into 2.0Ghz 1333FSB and cost much less per RAC.

XP Pro 64 worked fine on my Supermicro board.

What is this 'tape mod' you refer to? My QX6700 is currently running at 3408mhz, 426 x 8, with a fsb of 1704 on an Asus Commando. Don't think a 'tape mod' is needed on this mobo.

Ah, but can that mobo handle dual quad cores? (as per thread title).

For dual-socket work, I thought you had to go to the Xeon 5xxx range, and I've not heard of a mobo which can change the speeds for Xeons. For that, you have to modify the logic voltage on one (or more) pins - hence the use of (insulating) tape.

@Timelord: Why buy 5160's? They are very expensive with only a marginal increase in speed over the 2.33Ghz 1333FSB CPU's. I only saw a two minute gain in one hour test, optimized WU's. A tape modded 1.6Ghz Quad Core would take you into 2.0Ghz 1333FSB and cost much less per RAC.

XP Pro 64 worked fine on my Supermicro board.

What is this 'tape mod' you refer to? My QX6700 is currently running at 3408mhz, 426 x 8, with a fsb of 1704 on an Asus Commando. Don't think a 'tape mod' is needed on this mobo.

Ah, but can that mobo handle dual quad cores? (as per thread title).

For dual-socket work, I thought you had to go to the Xeon 5xxx range, and I've not heard of a mobo which can change the speeds for Xeons. For that, you have to modify the logic voltage on one (or more) pins - hence the use of (insulating) tape.

No just one quad. It has been suggested that I build a dual 5355 killer cruncher, but I have resevations about the overclockability of server oriented mobos.

---

"Time is simply the mechanism that keeps everything from happening all at once."

For dual-socket work, I thought you had to go to the Xeon 5xxx range, and I've not heard of a mobo which can change the speeds for Xeons. For that, you have to modify the logic voltage on one (or more) pins - hence the use of (insulating) tape.

No just one quad. It has been suggested that I build a dual 5355 killer cruncher, but I have resevations about the overclockability of server oriented mobos.

That is what he is talking about. Core 2 Quads can be OC via BIOS. But to go to dual quads (or even dual dual-core), you have to use Xeons. And there are no mobos out there that support OC of Xeons via BIOS. So you have to go the "tape mod" route if you want to OC. You can read about it on XtremeSystems.

---

Dublin, California
Team: SETI.USA

We are overclocking the Xeon 5XXX series by tricking the 1066FSB cpus into posting as 1333FSB. Side note, you cannot purchase a 1333FSB single socket chip! The modification is terribly easy, you place a small piece of tape over a pin on the bottom of the cpu. Just remember to turn off the power when removing/installing your Xeon chips!

2CPU.Com was the first message board to prove that you could overclock the Xeon 5XXX series chip by successfully posting screenshots and how to guides on their forums.

Here is the thread link: http://forums.2cpu.com/showthread.php?t=77937

The Xeon X5355 looks faster: http://processorfinder.intel.com/details.aspx?sSpec=SL9YM

Than the Xeon E5345 http://processorfinder.intel.com/details.aspx?sSpec=SL9YL

---

Overclock with the MSI G31M3-L and Intel E8600 3.33Ghz
Intel D865GLC Socket 478 Motherboard
~How To Overclock The Eee ASUS 1005HA Netbook To 1.9Ghz~

if you really want to crunch on it
run linux!
honestly my old liow end comp coudl crunch way more WUs in teh same time runnuing linux than it ever did on windows.

not tried my new X2 system on anything but linux as i wont pay for a crappy OS like windows when there is a much better one avalable for free

---

I just found the ASUS DSBF-D/SAS board Retail at $554.30 US!!! (For those interested in obtaining a Xeon Board that handles both the "Woodcrest" 5160 and the "Cloverstown" X5355.) ;-D

Central Computers: ASUS DSBF-D/SAS

This truly is an AWESOME board, but very large. 12" x 13".

---

TimeLord04
Have TARDIS, will travel...
Come along K-9!
Join Calm Chaos

my new Imhell 6.600 system

Hit Me

Asus P5B, Core Duo 6.600, an EKL Silent CPU Cooler, 2 Gig GSkill Memory, Graka, Nvidia 7.600 GS without any Cooling :)300 and 200 Sata by Maxtor, ...

not OC

btw

Quad Core Ready :)

Greetings from Germany NRW
Ulli

The memory architecture for the 5000 series chipsets has to manage ECC memory. As a result I am seeing a 10% reduction in memory speed vs a comparable Core 2 Duo motherboard. However, as of this morning my humble Core 2 Xeon is sitting at 40th on the top computers list. Another member of SETI.USA just built a quad Xeon (8 cores). His computer is 3rd in the top computers list, right behind the expensive Apples. Blackjack has not overclocked his system yet either.

Martin, I encourage you to sift through the results of the top computers and compare WU's from Core 2's vs Xeon 5XXX. Blackjack has noticed a slowdown with 8 cores though. I think this is because the 8 processes are frequently requesting OS file time. Running only 7 processes, could speed up processing by reducing memory bandwidth needs and giving the OS a cpu to manage file operations.

As far as peripherals go, I will repeat my earlier statement: "I use my system as a development box at my software firm.". I have audio and a cheapo PCIX video card plugged in. When I get bored, I play Weird Worlds. The game runs good on a Nvidia GE Force 7300 LE, however in large custom maps my video gets jumpy. The audio is sharp and clear on headphones as well. http://www.shrapnelgames.com/digital_eel/Weird_worlds/1.htm

One should never buy a Xeon 5XXX series motherboard for strictly gaming use, but it will do the job when asked.

I just happened to stumble across this thread.

I am running this board: http://www.supermicro.com/products/motherboard/Xeon1333/5000X/X7DAL-E.cfm

I believe that I purchased this board for $349.00 (got it on sale). Reuben Gathright can confirm/deny.

I had estimated a 4.5K RAC when I first got it running. I have however been pleasently surprized that this estimate is below its potential. I also am running a Core2 6600. I have compared a few workunits with similar ARs and have seen only about a 10% deficiency in the Xeon compared to this processor.

I initially wanted to build a Kentsfield system..but realized that I could run 2 Clovertowns on one board for less than building 2 Kentsfields. I know that I am sacrificing a bit of RAC and credits with the Clovertowns..but I am not the least bit disappointed with its performance.

@Timelord: The Supermicro X7DAL-E is ATX footprint, that's why me and Blackjack use it... the board also supports clovertowns and is a proven overclocker.

@Blackjack: I paid $430 or so for my X7DAL-E. If you found it cheaper, please post a link for the SETI community.

---

Overclock with the MSI G31M3-L and Intel E8600 3.33Ghz
Intel D865GLC Socket 478 Motherboard
~How To Overclock The Eee ASUS 1005HA Netbook To 1.9Ghz~