Build me a folding machine.
ok gents(gals?) need your help building a folding machine. Was thinking the build around a quad cpu. Would also like dual PCIE 16x slots so I can use two video cards for GPU2
I would like the 2 video cards to be best price/folding ratio. As in cheap, but handle GPU2 well.
Pretty much just post a CPU, Motherboard, Video cards if you would. I think I can handle the rest of the system
This way I could do dual SMP and dual GPU2. Mirite?
I would like the 2 video cards to be best price/folding ratio. As in cheap, but handle GPU2 well.
Pretty much just post a CPU, Motherboard, Video cards if you would. I think I can handle the rest of the system
This way I could do dual SMP and dual GPU2. Mirite?
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Comments
If you are running dual GPU2 you should only run a single instance of SMP as each GPU2 client will need an entire core to itself, leaving you with 2 for SMP (assuming you go quad).
If you want to keep the cost low you could even drop SMP altogether and get a dual. You'd still be pushing 9K from that box.
BTW, you don't need two PCI-e X16 slots. GPU2 Folding works equally well on any PCI-E video slot. A PCI-E X4 slot for the second works just great.
In my opinion, bullocks! There is nothing firm, nothing at all promised concerning those mythical new drivers. It's just a hope at this point. Keep in mind, when Pande Group announces something for the future, it may be three months, it may be three years. Pande readily admits that.
Hey, I really hope ATI DOES HAVE drivers and GPU architecture in the near future better optimized for Folding. ATI and Nvidia are at a draw for gaming, but for Folding@Home, Nvidia is king.
Post Edit: I would just advise anyone running video cards for Folding@Home to realize that those cards will be running full load as long as Folding is on. Do NOT take case ventilation for granted.
Now, if you really want a no holds barred monster Folder, get the MSI motherboard with quad SLI and run four 9800GX2 video cards, for a total of eight GPU2 clients. That's a theoretical PPD beast of 40,000PPD. :eek3: That would be a power draw on the video cards alone of about 650-700Watts, without overclocking.
There are, as a matter of fact, quite a number of people running four 9800 or 8800 video cards in one machine.
I just purchased a used 9800GX2 and am eagerly awaiting the Priority Flat Rate deliver. (Go USPS! :thumbup)
Mason, you mentioned finding 9600GSO cards for under $80. Yes that would put it in the league bang-for-buck league with the 88/9800GT. But you can find 8800GTs lightly used for under $100.
Again, those specifications concern Nvidia GPUs.
I forget who I stole this graph from, I believe it was foldingforum.org (EDIT: found it, good thread)
(EDIT: And actually, now that I look further at the graph It factors the price of a GX2 @ $179 which makes the GSO an even better deal as I've never seen a GX2 that cheap, must be an error?!?. A few of the other prices are questionable as well although the price for a new 8800GS/9600GSO is accurate. I checked alternate sources for power consumption and PPD; the numbers here are all accurate in that regard)
In terms of an economical and effecient folding rig, the 9600GSO/8800GS looks to be the card to have. Only the 8800GT 256MB comes close. It should also be noted that both of these cards would allow shader overclocking to essentially the same speed, resulting in up to 5000PPD from either.
The reason I specified 192-bit is that they have 96 shaders, where the 128-bit GSO cards (which I actually don't see too many of these days) only have 48. When buying online the number of shaders is usually listed, however the packaging itself does not display the number of shaders, but does specify the memory interface.
Wow, Leo. Is this going to put you up to almost 50K PPD? Or is this replacing an existing card?
mobo $100
PSU $80
2 video cards $110 each
$110
Quad Q8200 $200
XP pro $140
This comes to $750 shipped from egg.
Can you beat it??????????????????
This is what I am looking at:
Recertified: EVGA 512-P3-N841-RX GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
* Core clock: 670MHz
* Stream Processors: 128
* Memory Clock: 1940MHz
* Model #: 512-P3-N841-RX
* Item #: N82E16814130401
* Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy
* Your Price:$109.99
With this mobo:
ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
* CPU Type: Quad-core / Core 2 Extreme / Core 2 Duo / Pentium
* FSB: 1600/1333MHz
* South Bridge: Intel ICH10R
* Number of Memory Slots: 4×240pin
* Memory Standard: DDR2 1200
* Maximum Memory Supported: 8GB
* Channel Supported: Dual Channel
* PCI Express 2.0 x16: 2 x PCI Express 2.0 x16 slots, support ATI CrossFireX technology at x8 link (black at max. x8 link)
* Model #: P5Q Pro
* Item #: N82E16813131299
* Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy
* Original Price: $129.99
* You Save: $15.00
* Your Price:$114.99
* Mail-In Rebate pdf:N82E16813131299 $15.00
* Price after rebateN82E16813131299(s):$99.99
In a combo you can get this PSU for $80.
Rosewill RX750-D-B 750W 80Plus Certified, ATX12V v2.2 & EPS12V v2.91 SLI 8800GTX SLI CrossFire Ready Active PFC PFC Power Supply - Retail
Item #: N82E16817182069
But she costs a hella lot more than a computer
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150320
9600GSO w/ dual slot cooler for $59, recertified:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130423
the 9800GX2 is not currently listed on Newegg and is getting hard to find in general. There are a few places that still carry it new, check the IC Marketplace:
http://icrontic.pgpartner.com/search_attrib.php/page_id=5/form_keyword=9800GX2/st=sort/sortby=priceA
You might also try searching trade forums and the likes for a used GX2, new will run you $300+
if I went with two 9600GSO's
EDIT:
ok ordered the $59 9600GSO
I'm assuming I dont need identical video cards since I see Leo doesn't.
I'll do the 2nd video card down the road.
Here's an excellent guide for setup - single or multi-GPU Folding.
A pair of cards will go into my old LanParty 4 mobo.
All that I need are the cards..............
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150320 $79 each
Does this extend to different manufacturers? As in one ATi and one NVIDIA? /me hopes so....
Excellent news!
So, any recommendations for a motherboard?
Boards
DFI x38 for dual x16 if you ever want to use it for something else
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813136045
or
DFI BI-P45
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813136060
since we love DFI cause they are sex.
So long as you aren't running Vista that should be fine.
I must be behind times. its the first time I've seen used as a reference to a graphics card or system.
http://icrontic.com/forum/showthread.php?t=72189 read the start of this
that should catch you up to a point
thanx that stuff is informative. at least I know what folding is all about.
that folding stuff is very interesting. its interesting as the Seti & that code breaking project was.
is anyone doing all three?