medchemistMA
01-30-2008, 06:38 PM
Greetings PC building guru types,
I need a number crunching box (it will run under 64 bit Linux, either Ubuntu or CentOS). Most the computational work I do involves running artificial neural networks, quantum mechanics software, and some connective topology (coverage algorithms etc.), so lots of algebra with reals. My processor tends to run at 100% for hours or days. This box will function more as a server than a PC, so I don't really need anything in the way of a graphics card, sound card etc. I plan to use my current monitor and keyboard with a switch, or just put it on my net and ssh to it.
I have ~$700 to spend and I am thinking something along these lines:
Processor:
AMD Athlon 64 X2 6400+ Windsor 3.2GHz Socket AM2
125W Dual-Core Processor Model ADX6400CZBOX ($169)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103228
- or
AMD Athlon 64 X2 6400+ Windsor 3.2GHz Socket AM2
125W Dual-Core Processor Model ADX6400CZWOF ($159)
(I am not sure what the difference is between these 2 except the $10 in price)
Motherboard:
MSI K9A2 Platinum AM2+/AM2 AMD 790FX ATX AMD Motherboard ($159)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130136R
Memory:
1. OCZ Reaper Dual Channel 2048MB 150MHz DDR2-1150/PC2-9200 (2x1024MB) ($138.56)
http://www.amazon.com/OCZ-OCZ2RPR11502GK-2GB-DDR2-1150MHZ/dp/B000Q6DO0Q/ref=pd_bbs_5?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1201675795&sr=8-5
2. OCZ Reaper Dual Channel 2048MB PC8500 DDR2 1066MHz Memory (2x1024MB) ($115)
3. Kingston HyperX 2GB (2x1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KHX8500D2K2/2G ($120)
4. Mushkin 2GB (2x1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 996578 ($113)
5. CORSAIR Dominator 2GB (2x1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-8500C5D ($170)
6. OCZ Platinum 2GB (2x1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Micron D7 Chip Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2N10662GK ($105)
7. Mushkin Extreme Performance 2GB (2x1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) with EPP Profile Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 996535 ($129)
Case/power supply:
1. SIGMA ORCA-WBP Black SECC STEEL ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 400W Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811226010
2. Monolith II ATX Mid Tower ($39.99)
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0266557
3. Antec NSK4480 Black/ Silver 0.8mm cold-rolled steel construction ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 380W Power Supply ($89.95)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129031
4. Cooler Master Elite 330 Black ATX Mid-Tower Case with 350-Watt ATX Power Supply, Front USB and Audio Ports ($49.99)
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2541414&CatId=1843
Other:
1. SuperMulti 8x Dual/Double Layer 20x DVD Burner with LightScribe ($59.99)
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0266528
2. 3.5" 1.44MB Internal Floppy Black Bezel ($20.99)
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0213033
As you can see, I am a bit out to sea regarding the memory. I want fast memory (at least 1066 MHz) so I have selected a MOBO with allot of bandwidth on the FSB. It does not appear that PC-8500 memory is available in the single chip 2GB configuration and since I don't think I have the money to go to DDR3, I guess it will have to be 2GB(2x1GB) for now. I am not sure that I need more address space than 2GB anyway.
There are reviews that say the processors listed above tend to run hot, and I know nothing about cases and cooling etc. If someone could point me in the right direction for the case, power supply, cooling fans, heat-sinks etc. that would be very helpful. I have been looking at cases and have not been able to find many ATX mid cases of height less than 16.5", which is my maximum (no space here). The four cases listed above fit the minimum I want (correct height and at least 2 fans). I like the features of the Monolith, but I have no idea what I would need for a power supply. The power supplies in the Cooler Master Elite has not received good reviews and along with the Antec sees a bit on the skimpy side for a PS (350-380W). I would guess that the $50 difference between the Antec and the Monolith would buy a better PS than comes with either the Antec or Cooler Master in. The SIGMA ORCA-WBP may fine for an integrated case, but I do not know how to make sure that the PS has the necessary features to run the list of components I have selected.
I need advice about picking a compatible set of components that will give high performance. Paying for performance is one thing, paying for performance and not getting is something I would rather avoid. If you think the combination of components I have suggested makes no sense, well it wouldn't be the first time, so please go ahead and say so.
Thank you for your time and please let me know if I have left anything out. Any advice that you may be able to give would be greatly appreciated.
Best regards,
MedchemistMA
I need a number crunching box (it will run under 64 bit Linux, either Ubuntu or CentOS). Most the computational work I do involves running artificial neural networks, quantum mechanics software, and some connective topology (coverage algorithms etc.), so lots of algebra with reals. My processor tends to run at 100% for hours or days. This box will function more as a server than a PC, so I don't really need anything in the way of a graphics card, sound card etc. I plan to use my current monitor and keyboard with a switch, or just put it on my net and ssh to it.
I have ~$700 to spend and I am thinking something along these lines:
Processor:
AMD Athlon 64 X2 6400+ Windsor 3.2GHz Socket AM2
125W Dual-Core Processor Model ADX6400CZBOX ($169)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103228
- or
AMD Athlon 64 X2 6400+ Windsor 3.2GHz Socket AM2
125W Dual-Core Processor Model ADX6400CZWOF ($159)
(I am not sure what the difference is between these 2 except the $10 in price)
Motherboard:
MSI K9A2 Platinum AM2+/AM2 AMD 790FX ATX AMD Motherboard ($159)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130136R
Memory:
1. OCZ Reaper Dual Channel 2048MB 150MHz DDR2-1150/PC2-9200 (2x1024MB) ($138.56)
http://www.amazon.com/OCZ-OCZ2RPR11502GK-2GB-DDR2-1150MHZ/dp/B000Q6DO0Q/ref=pd_bbs_5?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1201675795&sr=8-5
2. OCZ Reaper Dual Channel 2048MB PC8500 DDR2 1066MHz Memory (2x1024MB) ($115)
3. Kingston HyperX 2GB (2x1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KHX8500D2K2/2G ($120)
4. Mushkin 2GB (2x1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 996578 ($113)
5. CORSAIR Dominator 2GB (2x1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-8500C5D ($170)
6. OCZ Platinum 2GB (2x1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Micron D7 Chip Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2N10662GK ($105)
7. Mushkin Extreme Performance 2GB (2x1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) with EPP Profile Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 996535 ($129)
Case/power supply:
1. SIGMA ORCA-WBP Black SECC STEEL ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 400W Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811226010
2. Monolith II ATX Mid Tower ($39.99)
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0266557
3. Antec NSK4480 Black/ Silver 0.8mm cold-rolled steel construction ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 380W Power Supply ($89.95)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129031
4. Cooler Master Elite 330 Black ATX Mid-Tower Case with 350-Watt ATX Power Supply, Front USB and Audio Ports ($49.99)
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2541414&CatId=1843
Other:
1. SuperMulti 8x Dual/Double Layer 20x DVD Burner with LightScribe ($59.99)
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0266528
2. 3.5" 1.44MB Internal Floppy Black Bezel ($20.99)
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0213033
As you can see, I am a bit out to sea regarding the memory. I want fast memory (at least 1066 MHz) so I have selected a MOBO with allot of bandwidth on the FSB. It does not appear that PC-8500 memory is available in the single chip 2GB configuration and since I don't think I have the money to go to DDR3, I guess it will have to be 2GB(2x1GB) for now. I am not sure that I need more address space than 2GB anyway.
There are reviews that say the processors listed above tend to run hot, and I know nothing about cases and cooling etc. If someone could point me in the right direction for the case, power supply, cooling fans, heat-sinks etc. that would be very helpful. I have been looking at cases and have not been able to find many ATX mid cases of height less than 16.5", which is my maximum (no space here). The four cases listed above fit the minimum I want (correct height and at least 2 fans). I like the features of the Monolith, but I have no idea what I would need for a power supply. The power supplies in the Cooler Master Elite has not received good reviews and along with the Antec sees a bit on the skimpy side for a PS (350-380W). I would guess that the $50 difference between the Antec and the Monolith would buy a better PS than comes with either the Antec or Cooler Master in. The SIGMA ORCA-WBP may fine for an integrated case, but I do not know how to make sure that the PS has the necessary features to run the list of components I have selected.
I need advice about picking a compatible set of components that will give high performance. Paying for performance is one thing, paying for performance and not getting is something I would rather avoid. If you think the combination of components I have suggested makes no sense, well it wouldn't be the first time, so please go ahead and say so.
Thank you for your time and please let me know if I have left anything out. Any advice that you may be able to give would be greatly appreciated.
Best regards,
MedchemistMA