AMD or Intel? HPC workstation

[ncalipari]

I need to setup a workstation which will perform a lot of hashing and database operations, using a custom written software, in Python/C.

The software will run in a virtual machine, with 2 or 3 VMs per workstation.

Which Single Socket Cpu would you choose, for the best price/performance ratio? AMD HexaCore or Intel Sandy Bridge?

Considering that I have no space constraints, maybe it's better to buy two machines, rather than a dual socket motherboard?

Keep in mind that I'm not looking for the best possible performance, but for the best price/performance ratio.

 

[ThatsABigOne]

What will be the computer's up time in between reboots? If it is less than 20 days, regular RAM will work just fine. So it looks like 2600k based system is up your alley. I would also recommend the AMD 1100T based system if you want to reduce your cost.

I am sure that almost everyone replying to this thread will be interested in your budget.

 

[ncalipari]

What will be the computer's up time in between reboots? If it is less than 20 days, regular RAM will work just fine. So it looks like 2600k based system is up your alley. I would also recommend the AMD 1100T based system if you want to reduce your cost.

I am sure that almost everyone replying to this thread will be interested in your budget.

Budget is not a constraint, as we will probably buy multiple machines.

the K series is unsuitable as it doesn't support virtualization instructions.

 

[Idontcare]

If your software can be installed and benched (timing a simple test run for example) on other people's rigs then I'd suggest you solicit for people to run your app and report back to you your performance.

When I was considering Phenom, and then later PhII, to replace my Q6600 for my app of interest that is what I did (thank you Slowspyder and Peter Trend).

 

[PreferLinux]

Budget is not a constraint, as we will probably buy multiple machines.

the K series is unsuitable as it doesn't support virtualization instructions.

Then just get the 2600! Anyway, it does support virtualisation instructions, just it is only VT_x and not VT_d.

 

[paperwastage]

another suggestion would be to get a sandybridge-based Xeon. You can drop it on a 1155 consumer mobo if you want to, or pay the $ (starting at $150 for a xeon mobo vs start $50 for a H61) for ECC mem

a 2600-equivalent(well, a little smaller clock rating, but with vt-d/x and Hyperthreading) is the E3-1235. 2600 costs $300 on newegg, E3-1235 costs $260. You could also look at the E3-1230(no IGP) at $240

 

[Maximilian]

Then just get the 2600! Anyway, it does support virtualisation instructions, just it is only VT_x and not VT_d.

2600 has both:

http://ark.intel.com/products/52213

 

[jhu]

12 core magny-cours opterons

 

[ncalipari]

If your software can be installed and benched (timing a simple test run for example) on other people's rigs then I'd suggest you solicit for people to run your app and report back to you your performance.

When I was considering Phenom, and then later PhII, to replace my Q6600 for my app of interest that is what I did (thank you Slowspyder and Peter Trend).

Basically my software does a lot of SHA256 and database operation...


I dont feel like a benchmark now would be meaningful, as the code still need a lot of refactoring and tuning...

another suggestion would be to get a sandybridge-based Xeon. You can drop it on a 1155 consumer mobo if you want to, or pay the $ (starting at $150 for a xeon mobo vs start $50 for a H61) for ECC mem

a 2600-equivalent(well, a little smaller clock rating, but with vt-d/x and Hyperthreading) is the E3-1235. 2600 costs $300 on newegg, E3-1235 costs $260. You could also look at the E3-1230(no IGP) at $240

Is Xeon worth your while in single socket system?

12 core magny-cours opterons

more than 1000$ for a CPU? I can build 2 1090T system with that budget...

 

[JumpingJack]

Budget is not a constraint, as we will probably buy multiple machines.

the K series is unsuitable as it doesn't support virtualization instructions.

The K series does indeed support HW virtualization, what it does not include is IO virtualization, which if I understand your application correctly should not be an issue.

 

[ncalipari]

The K series does indeed support HW virtualization, what it does not include is IO virtualization, which if I understand your application correctly should not be an issue.

but is it clever to overclock a production machine?

I understand that the only difference between K and non-K series is the unlocked multiplier...

 

[paperwastage]

2600 has both:

http://ark.intel.com/products/52213

he was talkinga bout how 2600k only supports VT-X, not VT-d

2600 supports both VT-x and VT-d

but is it clever to overclock a production machine?

I understand that the only difference between K and non-K series is the unlocked multiplier...

I wouldn't OC a production machine. heck, if I had money, i'd throw ECC in it

the difference b/w k and non-k is the unlocked multiplier, AND the VT-d..... Intel didn't give you a chip model with EVERY feature <-- if you want this, probably be waiting on 2011

Basically my software does a lot of SHA256 and database operation...

don't see any SHA256 benchmarks for i5 or x6, but there are AES benchmarks. Take the boost with a grain of salt as Sandy Bridge has AES-NI instructions in the processor, but prolly not SHA256. yeah, i know AES = encryption and SHA = hashing

http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.p...sk=view&id=664&Itemid=63&limit=1&limitstart=4

Is Xeon worth your while in single socket system?

the xeon E3-xxxx and E5-xxxx is basically a Sandy Bridge chip binned under the Xeon brand. the only big differences are: no OC ever*, supports ECC on xeon mobos, slightly different IGP, ECC support

^ the Xeon E3-1230 will perform roughly the same as the 2600 clock for clock
* maybe you could OC the xeon on a P67/Z68 board... dunno

why I recommend the E3-1230 is that if you want a 2600 (non-K), the E3-1230 gives you the same (4C/8T), but cheaper and slightly lower clocks(3.2 turbo to 3.6 instead of 2600's 3.4 turbo to 3.8)

 

[Ajay]

For a production machine - Westmere-EP and a server board with ECC memory. Even with 3VM you still get 2 core per VM. This is if your application is providing a critical service. If it's not - go with an AMD hexacore, there are some decent inexpensive mobos for Thuban. This issue is do you need a rock solid 24x7 server or utilitarian 'white' box.

 

[ncalipari]

For a production machine - Westmere-EP and a server board with ECC memory. Even with 3VM you still get 2 core per VM. This is if your application is providing a critical service. If it's not - go with an AMD hexacore, there are some decent inexpensive mobos for Thuban. This issue is do you need a rock solid 24x7 server or utilitarian 'white' box.

Westmere EP offers 50% more cores, for a 100% increase in price... maybe an opteron offers a better value?


The decision boils down to ECC (and a SB Xeon) or non-ECC ( with a Phenom HexaCore).

Why nobody suggests a Six Core Opteron? Are they that bad?

 

[Denithor]

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4193/cheap-and-low-power-server-cpus-compared/6

Don't forget about power consumption...which adds more cost over time than the original equipment cost (by a long shot over many years).

 

[Ajay]

Westmere EP offers 50% more cores, for a 100% increase in price... maybe an opteron offers a better value?


The decision boils down to ECC (and a SB Xeon) or non-ECC ( with a Phenom HexaCore).

Why nobody suggests a Six Core Opteron? Are they that bad?

Well since you are looking for price over performance, guess you could go with an Opteron like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819105275

 

[classy]

If you are going to be running 2-3 VMs to run the required software, I would go AMD. Better support for virtualization in this case. Physical cores would be better here and go heavy on ram.