Building a workstation (super computer)
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About PSU, I often see how people build they PC with a ridiculously high power PSU. Usually they noisy and they best effiency level is not reached with ordinary PC.
I build my i7 (920) / Asus P6T Deluxe / GeForce 8800 GTS (640 MB) -rig with 450W PSU, so 750W PSU is enough, even if you build a sli. Actually a 400+ PSU is fine and could run some lighter SLI configurations too, just make sure that it's a quality PSU. Power consumption and efficiency of i7 system. From list of good 400+ PSUs, I would pick Nexus VALUE 430. -
@martinrinehart said:
Which of those apps takes all that horsepower? SU, if you resist the temptation to model a forest leaf-by-leaf, performs superbly on an inexpensive Windows desktop with a little extra RAM.
Unless one of those other apps is a real burner, I'd save on the computer and spend on a really big monitor. 1920x1200 on 24" LCD is a real joy.
I agree
Don't spend your money in short life-cycle technology parts
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@coronel said:
@martinrinehart said:
Which of those apps takes all that horsepower? SU, if you resist the temptation to model a forest leaf-by-leaf, performs superbly on an inexpensive Windows desktop with a little extra RAM.
Unless one of those other apps is a real burner, I'd save on the computer and spend on a really big monitor. 1920x1200 on 24" LCD is a real joy.
I agree
Don't spend your money in short life-cycle technology parts
....unless you are into rendering.
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My P6T Deluxe is first generation, not V2. Have not noticed any problems with it, but I do not overclock and cooling works well.
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Not sure what generation mine are but they have extreme water cooling, not overclocked, run at full load for days on end without even reaching close to warm. And if by any reason they should 'pop' then I will use my 3 year warranty which Asus is known to be good at complying to.
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@notareal said:
My P6T Deluxe is first generation, not V2. Have not noticed any problems with it, but I do not overclock and cooling works well.
V2 is actually "downgrade" from plain P6T Deluxe for me, as it's missing a Marvell 88SE6320 controller. So one cannot connect that meny HDs. But if I recall right P6T Deluxe V2 has better SLI support (might not pe issues unless you want 3xSLI). Have not looked on other than P6T Deluxe and P6T Deluxe V2, so no comments on other versions. It's true that there is no SLI with quadro fx 1800, so SLI is not a issue, unless you want room for upgrade.
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Some very good points here, and I definitely agree with the suggestions to spend some good money on the monitor/LCD - that's not a good place to go cheap. I got a deal on a 1680x1250 for $145 - but it's missing features that a better quality monitor would have, and I do find myself wishing for them more than once in a while.
As far as the power supply goes, I've got an 850W, but I spent extra to ensure that it was "green" power, energy star, and had the highest efficiency rating I could get. Yes, it's more than I need, but it's good quality and will last at least through 1 or 2 more re-builds (5-7 years) which is important to me; plus I use my comp for gaming a lot, and I wanted to ensure that notoriously voltage sensitive graphics cards and other high performance components did not lack in any way for stable, efficient power.
If you don't game (much) or plan on stuffing your computer with high perf. parts anytime soon, just get your hands on a good quality power supply of less than 600W and you'll be just fine. One key point is that if you plan on upgrading your system by adding extra hard drives, going with SLi or CrossFire, or anything else that requires more or specialized power connectors - make sure you get enough for what you might want. I've had to spend money on returns or buying new power supplies because it was short an adapter or plug, and that's pretty frustrating.
Just my $.02
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There are some new options, you might want to look on i7 LGA 1156, systems - MSI P55-GD80 has got good reviews. Those motherboards should cost $50-100 less than LGA 1366 boards. But with LGA 1366 board you have an option to upgrade to i9.
Btw, you have picked fairly expensive MB & memory. Memory speed is not that critical with i7. Also if I recall right with some i7 LGA 1366 motherboards you cannot fill all memory slots (not sure if it's same with LGA 1156, but I don't believe so), when DDR3-1600 or higher is used... so you cannot just add another DDR3-1600 3*2Gb kit, if you like to have 12 Gb RAM. -
@unknownuser said:
Also if I recall right with some i7 LGA 1366 motherboards you cannot fill all memory slots (not sure if it's same with LGA 1156, but I don't believe so), when DDR3-1600 or higher is used... so you cannot just add another DDR3-1600 3*2Gb kit, if you like to have 12 Gb RAM.
I have the LGA 1366 Asus Mobo, and I also have 6 x 2GB Corsair dominator 1600 DDR3 ram, works fine, infact very well, I guess this applies only to the LGA 1156.
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Memory speed issue was with LGA 1366 (when OC), just don't remember what board - I was buzled with it when I was planning the system. Just cannot remeber what board it was. If you are not going to overclock, there really is not that great difference wheather you use DDR3 1066, 1333 or 1600. Cas latency has greater effect. Also as if intel mobo
http://www.intel.com/support/processors/sb/CS-029913.htm is used.@intel said:
%(#80BF00)[What is the maximum frequency for DDR3 memory when used with Intel
Core
i7-900 processor series?]
These processors support DDR3 memory with a maximum frequency of 1066 MHz. If faster DDR3 memory is used (such as 1333 MHz or 1600 MHz), it will be down-clocked to operate at 1066 MHz.for new i5/i7
@intel said:
%(#80BF00)[What is the maximum frequency for DDR3 memory when used with Intel
Core i7-800 processor series and the Intel Core i7-700 processor series?]
These processors support DDR3 memory with a maximum frequency of 1333 MHz. If faster DDR3 memory is used (such as 1600 MHz or higher), it will be down-clocked to operate at 1066 MHz.Asus handles it differently... anyhow. Some mother board can behave differently, even memory controller is in CPU.
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The Core i7 860 has just arrived here... Has anyone had the chance to test it for rendering? Seems to run with less power than the i7 920, and apparently beats the 920 in a few tests, but I'd love to hear real world experiences with unbiased or biased rendering.
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The tri channel with a 64bit system does mean you can use more ram, navigate around a heavy textured scene better, the dual channel mobo will not be i9 upgradable.
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Yup, all rendering tests give the Core i7 860 a higher score than that of the Core i7 920. A couple more advantages:
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Consumes less power, and thus runs cooler.
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Has better Turbo Boost for applications that do not use all cores.
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As the new 860 works on a simplified architecture, it uses cheaper motherboards. A basic Intel mobo for a Core i7 920 goes for $300 (BOXDX58SO), while a basic one for a Core i7 860 goes for $100. (DP55WB)
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Uses dual-channel memory instead of tri-channel one. This means you can buy a mobo with 4 slots, like the Intel DP55WB, and buy two memory modules today and two more later, while with Core i7 920 you need to find a 6-slot mobo if you want to add more memory in the future. The basic $300 mobo for Core i7 920 I quoted has only 4 slots, meaning it's a dead end if you want to take advantage of tri-channel
. Also, as the tests have shown, tri-channel doesn't help render faster. -
Is newer than the old Core i7 920, which means it was designed with Windows 7 in mind.
A better explanation:
[flash=560,340:18ocnmud]http://www.youtube.com/v/lf2FuIlxyqU[/flash:18ocnmud](edited post to add cool video)
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