F@H: Which for next upgrade: Intel or AMD?

[mgpaulus]

I'm getting ready to upgrade/replace one of my machines, and I'm expecting to spend $200 or so for the MoBo/CPU. My current thoughts are an XP 2200+ and maybe an AK32A. This will be strictly a cruncher, so I don't need high end graphics or sound. I have a chieftec case on order for it, and I will be using the memory/hd/graphics from the system I am replacing.

So, for $200, should I stick w/AMD, or venture into the Intel P4 land, which I have no knowledge of??

 

[lobadobadingdong]

in your price range I'd say go with the 2200+ as it's more evolved fpu will do quite a bit better than the 2.4Ghz p4, and probably rivals the 2.6 Ghz p4's as well as being cheaper to boot as distributed things are very mathmatically inclined. Another suggestion would be perhaps an msi kt4vl, its a kt400 board that is selling pretty cheap@newegg.com. I've got one and love it to pieces, the only thing it's missing is on-board firewire and raid. neither of which I need.

 

[r0tt3n1]

If you decide on the P4, you can start the F@H client with the -advmethods switch which will (when available) download Gromacs WU's. They FLY on a P4! Great pointage and times. I have no P4's crunching, so never got into Gromacs much, but something to consider.....

 

[mgpaulus]

Decided on the AMD route. Just ordered a refurbed AK32A from newegg for $39, so I might be able to go up on the processor, or maybe take the extra, sell one of my other processors, and upgrade it (Like, maybe upgrade a Duron 1.2 to an XP something or other).

 

[ProviaFan]

Just a note that Gromacs WUs, when available (right now I am crunching a Gromacs WU, and have done several already with the -advmethods switch), also works well on SSE-enabled Athlon XPs. When Gromacs WUs are not available, Athlon XPs still perform well, unlike P4s. Thus, Athlon XPs are currently the best platform (IMHO) for Folding@Home, although we won't refuse any P4s you have to offer, either. 🙂