Help building/buying Workstation

[sheac12]

Hey all first post after lurking and reading. I am looking to build or purchase a workstation I can use for work (EDA tools under Redhat ES) and video encoding/media severing for fun.

Originally, I was going to pick up a used dell 650 with dual 2.8, but decided I would rather have an EMT64 version processor. So then I was thinking either an opteron 175 or a dual opteron 248 system. I run windows xp pro so upgrading the 248 to a 250 wouldn't be smart, unless I jumped to windows server 2003, which I am not ready to do.

Does anyone have either
A good review of performance difference between the xeon and the opterons?
Real experience in speed comparison.
Constructive opinions other then, "this processor kicks a$$"

Oh my current system is an AMD XP 3000+ @2.5GHz and 2 gigs of PC3200(dual channel)

Thanks in advance!

 

[carlosd]

Opteron all the way. suck much less power than xeons. And in the dual core versions the xeons get asskicked (sorry there is no other way to say that ) by the Opterons, Anandtech have plenty of benchmarks in their CPU section, look at them, and put special attention to the power consumption.

 

[sheac12]

Thanks carlosd. I was hoping i would get a reply. I was wondering, what is your, or anyones, feeling on waiting for the M2 socket, or purchasing now?

 

[TankGuys]

I'd agree on the Opteron, hands down.

As for waiting for the new sockets, I wouldn't worry about it. They aren't really going to offer a lot of performanc increase, so I don't think it is worth waiting.

 

[TrevorRC]

Opteron, hands down.

Personally, I'd grab a 165 and tweak it a TINY bit to 2.4 (You could probably do this on stock voltage--it'd just be an issue of messing with the HTT)

That'll do just about anything you need it to, and there will always be more headroom to push it higher if need be (a year or two from now.)

AMD ran some benchmarks, but I don't know how reliable those are.

Give me a minute, I'll find something for you.


Edit: Just thought about it.
The Opteron 265s are going to be dropping to the $375 range in a few weeks. Almost be worth holding out if just for that,

2 Opteron 265s... 4 cores of massive power O_O
Considering a single 175 is $500USD.
2x265s for a bit under 650.

Just an idea/suggestion.

 

[jlbenedict]

Originally posted by: TrevorRC
Opteron, hands down.

Personally, I'd grab a 165 and tweak it a TINY bit to 2.4 (You could probably do this on stock voltage--it'd just be an issue of messing with the HTT)

That'll do just about anything you need it to, and there will always be more headroom to push it higher if need be (a year or two from now.)

AMD ran some benchmarks, but I don't know how reliable those are.

Give me a minute, I'll find something for you.


Edit: Just thought about it.
The Opteron 265s are going to be dropping to the $270 range in a few weeks. Almost be worth holding out if just for that,

2 Opteron 265s... 4 cores of massive power O_O (And hardly more expensive than a single 175/180
(Only an extra ~40-50 bucks, assuming the 175 is $500 USD at eBay)
2 Extra cores for 40 bucks (+ a bit for the motherboard upgrade)
Sounds good to me...


Just an idea/suggestion.

an Opteron 265 currently is $715 on Newegg. If they drop to the $270 range in a few weeks, I'll buy ten of them!

 

[TrevorRC]

Let me find you the spot where it was mentioned.


Edit.

Wow I feel stupid.
370, not 270 .
Cut in half, regardless--and still only ~20-30 dollars more expensive than the 165.


http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=28&threadid=1787784&enterthread=y

Head there to see the original post.

 

[jlbenedict]

Originally posted by: TrevorRC
Let me find you the spot where it was mentioned.


Edit.

Wow I feel stupid.
370, not 270 .
Cut in half, regardless--and still only ~20-30 dollars more expensive than the 165.


http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=28&threadid=1787784&enterthread=y

Head there to see the original post.

Its still an attractive price.. considering that you can run a dual 940 board and as you've mentioned.. Quad Delight!

 

[TrevorRC]

Its still an attractive price.. considering that you can run a dual 940 board and as you've mentioned.. Quad Delight!

My point exactly :]
Going by sheer clock speed--
a 175 is 2.2Ghz (Please correct me if I'm wrong..)
2.2Ghz of AMD Processing power, x2.
4.4Ghz.
Cost? $500...

265 is 1.8Ghz
1.8x2x2...
7.6Ghz
Cost?
650.
So...
18% price increase..
72% performance increase.

Sounds good to me.

 

[TrevorRC]

Update:
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=88957
322 for a tray.
Can you say HOLY CRAP!?
Those are cheaper then 165s!
(340 for non-trays)

Meaning, 640 for 4 cores of Opteron goodness.

Looks like the better option just came in Another ~140 bucks and near twice the processing power.

 

[davegraham]

yup....gotta love it.

dave