3D Animation Workstation Research

[IanE]

Well then it's been settled! I wait for dual-core Opterons. Any suggested speed, though? I think the current Opteron 244 is 1.8ghz at 64-bit, right? Will the dual-cores be 64-bit as well?

 

[ribbon13]

Of course dual-core will be 64bit.

2.4Ghz will likely be the flagship speed for Italy Opterons at first, you'll have to see when the time comes. The prices will likely run the gamut from $200-$1000 depending on speed.

 

[Duvie]

What do you think we will look at in pricing.....2x increase cause there is 2 cores, or do they go conservative and say well in an average across all the board real world translation may not be better then 1.5x???

244's are 230ish no so 340 would be very acceptable to me....It would be nice if they sold some dual core 1.6's bt I heard someone mention it may only be 2ghz and up.....Maybe to get in that range of pricing to make it sweeter for AMD....

Can you imagine a pair of 1.6ghz 2.42's for around 230 range each with the potential (reading at www.2cpu.com) to hit 2.4+ range...

There is a guy there running 1.8ghz 244s at 2700mhz.....


Did you read up on that link yet ribbon13???

 

[ribbon13]

I've heard, this is just a rumor, that it will likely be around 1.6 times.

I got the link but I'll be damned if I'm going to read 80+ pages.

And I can almost guarantee you'll see 1.8Ghz Italies.

 

[Duvie]

Didn't like the 80pages as well huh?? That is 83 pages in less then 2 months, and it wasn't a Nvidia Pure Video debacle thread......

I hope...I would like to keep the cost under 400 per cpu and 1.6 times could keep it there...

 

[IanE]

I'd like to keep the price under or slightly over $400 as well... looking forward to these being released!

What do you guys think about dual 6600GT's?

 

[ribbon13]

Dual 6600GTs only real useful purpose is a quad LCD setup. Other than that, its not very good.

 

[IanE]

So would you recommend dual video cards at all, or just one single card, and any model suggestions?

 

[ribbon13]

Maybe a FireGL 3100 and a regular card for gaming?

 

[IanE]

Looked at that card, and the other FireGLs, the price really goes up on those above the 3100!! Would it be suffecient to have 1 FireGL 3100, or should I get 2?

 

[IanE]

Now the question is FireGL or Quadro... or wait for when the Dual-core Opterons come out and see if ATI/nVidia release some new solutions...

For the memory, I know I should for sure use ECC memory, but does it have to be registered, and what does that even do, or are all ECC sticks Registered?

 

[Duvie]

IMO...quadros apear betterthen firegl, with the wildcats being a bit better in certain things then quadro...

 

[Artanis]

Hi Duvie, a 6600GT can be softmodded into a Quadro xxx ? And how, can you explain detailed how you did? (using Riva Tuner ?) Thanks !

 

[IanE]

Well I've narrowed it down to either a FireGL V5000 or A Quadro FX 1300... what do you guys think?

 

[ribbon13]

ECC and Registered are two different things. The RAM has to be registered for Opterons. Doesn't have to be ECC, but most all RAM that's Registered is ECC anyways. I already linked the ideal RAM for you.

 

[IanE]

The RAM you linked me isn't on Tyans recommended RAM listing... do you know for a fact that it's compatible with it?

Anyone explain what Registered and buffered/unbuffered means?

 

[ribbon13]

No, its listed in my rig for nothin.



The only purpose of registerd ram is to solve clock issues with the long traces. Registered is exactly like unregistered memory but buffers a request in its register as a stability enhancing measure before sending it. The pins, protocol and data are all the same.

 

[IanE]

Haha... thanks ribbon! Have any pics of your system? I'd love to see it.

 

[sharkeeper]

Well for all you hardcore AMD enthusiasts SuperMicro *may* be coming out with a line of real server/workstation class boards! Imagine that. :Q

 

[ribbon13]

Yes I saw that. its on the front page of 2cpu.com linking here

IanE, I'll send you a PM about that.

 

[IanE]

Cool article, ribbon. Glad you linked it!

Still haven't received the PM, though.

 

[ribbon13]

YGPM

 

[IanE]

Now the question is 22" CRT monitors, or 19" LCD monitors? Trying to keep the two under $800 or $900 bucks...

 

[WalkingDead]

ATI card even the FireGL are junks for 3D. I have a lot of issues running XSI with ATI cards. Nvidia card softmod to Quatro is the best bang for the buck. Save your money on dual CPU rig. Get a main rig with a fast A64 single CPU. Then use your old rig or build a cheap A64 rig for a render slave(s).

 

[IanE]

My old rig is going to leave though... so new dual-cpu system it is. Thanks anyway.