Looking to upgrade 2 SETI crunchers - Suggestions wanted

[OhioDude]

I will be upgrading two Celery 400's very soon. Money is definitely a concern, so I want to put together two systems (MB, CPU, and memory, and coolers and cases if I go the AMD route) as inexpensively as possible. I will use HD's, CD, CD-R, keyboards, meeces, FD, graphics cards, and monitors from the existing Celery systems. Saving money is paramount, even a few bucks here and there will help. Cutting edge performance is not a requirement. Dependability and stability is.

I have put together two quotes: one AMD from newegg, one Intel from MWave.

If I go intel, I'll use the existing cases and retail coolers. Here's what I'm looking at ordering:

2 x AOpen AXS3S-U MB
2 x PIII 1200 Tualatin
2 x 128MB PC133 SDRAM (generic)
Total from MWave including shipping: $430.49


If I go AMD (my preference), here's what I put together:

2 x MSI SiS 745 Ultra MB
2 x AMD XP1600+
2 x Cooler Master DP5-6I31C-A1 coolers
2 x 128MB DDR PC2100 RAM (Dane-Electric)
2 x Foxconn Super Case ATX3400-P4 Mid Tower w/300 watt AMD listed PS
Total from newegg including shipping: $474.35

Any suggestions for alternate components to save a couple of bucks and/or improve reliability/stability?

Hehehe! This is so much fun!

 

[MoFunk]

Make sure that when you get these set up that you use MoFunk's e-mail address for optimal performance. Otherwise they may not work right! LOL

 

[MoFunk]

Oh forgot to mention the specs......
I prefer AMD systems, but if saving money is the key then you should go intel. If the extra $40 is no big deal get the AMD's. Then at a later date you can add those celery's to a crack rack or something.

 

[Crazee]

Are these going to be dedicated crunchers or are they going to be used for other things?
Also why do you need cases with the AMDs but not with the Intel?

 

[OhioDude]

Are these going to be dedicated crunchers or are they going to be used for other things?

One will be used by a phone support tech. She will run Office apps, call tracking software and web browser. One will be for the office manager who runs Office apps, Peachtree accounting software, and web browser.

Also why do you need cases with the AMDs but not with the Intel?

One Celery is in a mini-tower ATX case with a 235 watt PS. The other is a mini-tower case with a 250 watt PS. Power asside, I'm also concerned about cooling for the AMD's. There is only an intake fan in the front of each case. No additional exhaust fans besides the power supply.

 

[m2kewl]

Originally posted by: MoFunk
Make sure that when you get these set up that you use MoFunk's e-mail address for optimal performance. Otherwise they may not work right! LOL

Don't listen to this guy - use MY email address for best results!

 

[Soulkeeper]

i would recommend getting atleast a 350 watt name brand psu for that athlon system
the good thing about going the socket A route is fututre upgradability
you will be able to throw a pretty fast barton athlon in later this year or next when you choose to upgrade

 

[Polo]

I can give you for free 2 P166MMX. Use them well untill I pass you and hit 15000 then choose the AMD way.

 

[Baldy18]

For only an extra $45 I'd go with the XPs. Tualatins are office apps masters from what I've heard but with the difference in cleck speed you'd get better performance and wouldn't have to upgrade as soon with the XPs.

 

[Shuxclams]

XP yo! You'll get much more for $40.....












SHUX

 

[Crazee]

For what you want to do the configs look good. I would have to agree about going with the XPs. A little more money but you'll get a lot more out of the them.

 

[Tarca]

Ok tell us the real reason for your upgrades....


You can't stand the fact that TARCA is running you down

Good luck with those upgrades. I think you would get more units out of the AMDs

 

[Migroo]

I'd get the Athlon XP.

Both my home and work machines have AXPs, theyre great.

The work PC's CPU has been running at around 65 deg. C for around 4 months now. Dang cheap cooler! (no problems though)

 

[Evadman]

From a purely practical standpoint, I would go with the XP's They will allow you to upgrade down the line. With the PIII your almost at the limit of the mainboard.

Doesn't hurt that I like AMd's either

 

[cakin]

XP !!!

 

[JWMiddleton]

What cakin said!

 

[Assimilator1]

Ohio Dude
I don't get it ,you say you want to save every $ but you don't consider a Duron CPU for the AMD rig? ,I don't know USA prices but here in the UK an Ath XP 1600 is £55 and a Duron 1.2GHz is £35.That's a total saving of £40!

The Duron Morgans rock at SETI too (faster than Athlon Tbird)

 

[dexvx]

Aren't 512KB L2 cache tualatins supposed to be super fast at SETI? I've heard they overclock well/easy too (well the 1.13Ghz ones).

 

[Assimilator1]

Yeah true ,but that'll be a PIII which is much more expensive than a Celeron ,pitty really