Spring Build
- stewartcollinge
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#1 Spring Build
After my unsuccessful attempts to get crunching going on my spare PS3 (see threads PS3 and help, if interested), I have decided to build a dedicated cruncher. Any advice/ thoughts appreciated.... i.e.O/S GPU /CPU and the like. I have a limited budget, so might run into summer. :) :)
You should put the white ball where you want it
- Janos (retired)
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#2 Re: Spring Build
For an easy, high performance build with low maintenance I would suggest:
i7 with 8gb ram
SSD - any size
Case with plenty of cooling - quieter the better
7970 GPU
Power supply - 750 would be plenty
Standard motherboard. I like the Asus boards at the moment
Windows is the easy option. Linux can offer slightly better performance on some projects but it can take a fair bit more setup time but once running can run with less maintenance.
Go for an i7 K if you want to overclock.
What sort of budget do you have?
i7 with 8gb ram
SSD - any size
Case with plenty of cooling - quieter the better
7970 GPU
Power supply - 750 would be plenty
Standard motherboard. I like the Asus boards at the moment
Windows is the easy option. Linux can offer slightly better performance on some projects but it can take a fair bit more setup time but once running can run with less maintenance.
Go for an i7 K if you want to overclock.
What sort of budget do you have?
"Happiness can be defined as: a geek with non-work related code to write, no distractions and no deadline." - Janos
- stewartcollinge
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#3 Re: Spring Build
Well... regarding budget it might vary. Semi retired on a small NHS pension,looking for a small part time job. But, single now, low maintenance lifestyle, maybe about £400 if I look after pennies. Been surfing around, don,t really want to buy bespoke. As mentioned before, would like to do a build, and get my noggin around things,and fire up a few of my grey cells. And, again, all advice appreciated. :)
You should put the white ball where you want it
- Janos (retired)
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#4 Re: Spring Build
Are you after high credits or just the science?
"Happiness can be defined as: a geek with non-work related code to write, no distractions and no deadline." - Janos
- scole of TSBT
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#5 Re: Spring Build
I'm working on build parts list myself. http://pcpartpicker.com is a pretty good tool for configuring a system.
Here's my part list I plan on putting together for a mac daddy home PC. I'm curious how it will crunch. http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2MsDi
Here's my part list I plan on putting together for a mac daddy home PC. I'm curious how it will crunch. http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2MsDi
#6 Re: Spring Build
For that budget i7 etc out the window.
Would probably spec around a socket 1366 mobo ( top of budget ) with i7 920 cpu
or
socket 775 mobo, dual pcie x16 slots , core 2 quad Q6600 cpu,
case with 500w psu, AMD R9 270 GPU or pair AMD 7770 or GTX 650ti gpu's, memory ( 4 or 8 GB ), cdrom, HDD ( doesn't have to be huge ).
Are you comfortable buying on ebay ( both new and used ) ?
Would probably spec around a socket 1366 mobo ( top of budget ) with i7 920 cpu
or
socket 775 mobo, dual pcie x16 slots , core 2 quad Q6600 cpu,
case with 500w psu, AMD R9 270 GPU or pair AMD 7770 or GTX 650ti gpu's, memory ( 4 or 8 GB ), cdrom, HDD ( doesn't have to be huge ).
Are you comfortable buying on ebay ( both new and used ) ?
The best form of help from above is a sniper on the rooftop....
#7 Re: Spring Build
If going socket 775, then a mobo like this http://www.asus.com/uk/Motherboards/P5K ... /#overview. On ebay just now for £77.50. CPU etc on this should keep you below £400.
If going new socket 1150 boards then i3 or ( maybe ) i5 cpu ( depending on price )
If going new socket 1150 boards then i3 or ( maybe ) i5 cpu ( depending on price )
The best form of help from above is a sniper on the rooftop....
- stewartcollinge
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#8 Re: Spring Build
Making and building telescopes for many moons (pun intended)... credits, no ... Science yes. With best regards. :)Janos wrote:Are you after high credits or just the science?
You should put the white ball where you want it
- stewartcollinge
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#9 Re: Spring Build
sorry for double post... fat fingersJanos wrote:Are you after high credits or just the science?
You should put the white ball where you want it
#10 Re: Spring Build
Should be quite a cruncher. Would be a little concerned about the heat it can generate though, would ensure the case has plenty of cooling.scole250 wrote:I'm working on build parts list myself. http://pcpartpicker.com is a pretty good tool for configuring a system.
Here's my part list I plan on putting together for a mac daddy home PC. I'm curious how it will crunch. http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2MsDi
The best form of help from above is a sniper on the rooftop....
- scole of TSBT
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#11 Re: Spring Build
Going to have plenty of case fans and a decent hydro cooler.
What's the price difference between buying components in the UK vs. US? I bet a i7-4770K crunching config could be put together for less than $600 US. Not sure of shipping and other fees though.
What's the price difference between buying components in the UK vs. US? I bet a i7-4770K crunching config could be put together for less than $600 US. Not sure of shipping and other fees though.
#12 Re: Spring Build
Depends on if you are in the UK or the states. Cheaper in the states, but shipping to UK needs to pass customs. If they ship as gift then . Since you spec'ed all in $ I'm guessing USA, not worth trying to ship from UK.
Also I believe the jury is still out on the new Haswell CPU's as I believe they have heat issues run at 100 % and the K's are only worth the extra if you intend to over clock.
Also depends what you intend to crunch. For maximum credits then GPU and a cheap as chips quad pentium driving 3 or 4 high end GPU's is the way to go. CPU crunching doesn't come close to the $ / credits of a GPU. For science you need i7's, for points GPU's rule.
Also I believe the jury is still out on the new Haswell CPU's as I believe they have heat issues run at 100 % and the K's are only worth the extra if you intend to over clock.
Also depends what you intend to crunch. For maximum credits then GPU and a cheap as chips quad pentium driving 3 or 4 high end GPU's is the way to go. CPU crunching doesn't come close to the $ / credits of a GPU. For science you need i7's, for points GPU's rule.
The best form of help from above is a sniper on the rooftop....
- Janos (retired)
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#13 Re: Spring Build
I think the answer to this question is buy some second hand parts or half dead computers, strip them apart and build up a nice cruncher or two. This would be the lowest cost and most enjoyable way to make a dedicated cruncher.
I've had more fun building and wiring up my U2's than I did installing any GPU in an i7.
I've had more fun building and wiring up my U2's than I did installing any GPU in an i7.
"Happiness can be defined as: a geek with non-work related code to write, no distractions and no deadline." - Janos
- stewartcollinge
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#14 Re: Spring Build
Janos, that sounds like a plan.. have to talk to some of my muckers on T,interweb see what's lying about :) BTW, anyone built a farm?
You should put the white ball where you want it
- PinkPenguin
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#15 Re: Spring Build
Tried it once, but when you water the motherboards they just sort of fizzle and go pop!...stewartcollinge wrote:J...:) BTW, anyone built a farm?
"This is one of those days that the pages of history teach us are best spent lying in bed."
- Janos (retired)
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#16 Re: Spring Build
Sounds like you didn't use a compatible sprinkler system.PinkPenguin wrote:Tried it once, but when you water the motherboards they just sort of fizzle and go pop!...stewartcollinge wrote:J...:) BTW, anyone built a farm?
"Happiness can be defined as: a geek with non-work related code to write, no distractions and no deadline." - Janos
- Janos (retired)
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#17 Re: Spring Build
A small holding, yes. I currently have 11 devices crunching :)stewartcollinge wrote: BTW, anyone built a farm?
"Happiness can be defined as: a geek with non-work related code to write, no distractions and no deadline." - Janos
#18 Re: Spring Build
About to have 14 devices, ( 6 are Androids ). Not so much a farm as an expensive obsessionJanos wrote:A small holding, yes. I currently have 11 devices crunching :)stewartcollinge wrote: BTW, anyone built a farm?
The best form of help from above is a sniper on the rooftop....
#19 Re: Spring Build
If we're going with the Janos quantifying methodJanos wrote:A small holding, yes. I currently have 11 devices crunching :)stewartcollinge wrote: BTW, anyone built a farm?
Then I reckon I have a vegetable patches worth.
I've got 6 1/2 devices crunching. 5 are Odroids/Android, my computer and my dad's runs some units when not in use.
#20 Re: Spring Build
My 14th . Intel core 2 quad Q6600 cpu running a HD7770 on linux just came on line, finally....
The best form of help from above is a sniper on the rooftop....