Opteron questions

[keichan82]

Can these be used for regular computing? Like word, games, etc??
Sorry, I know nothing about servers, or even computers.

2 - AMD Opteron? 246 CPUs
Tyan Thunder K8SD Pro (S2882-D) motherboard
Microsoft Server 2003 x64 Edition

My friend said something about getting all this for $500 at some AMD show or something. Is that a good price? Thanks.

 

[imported_michaelpatrick33]

It definitely can be used for everything a regular computer can do. In most single-theaded applications it will be about the same speed as a 3200+ AMD64. (Slower ram, more L2 cache).
The ram required for Opterons (940 pin) is registered dimm, not the unbuffered dimms so you pay a premium for the memory.

Of course, I hope you realize that it has no AGP or PCI-ex slot for a graphics card right? If you don't know anything about computers you certain don't need this beast. This is a server board all the way.

You should get this for 500
AMD 64 3200+ Venice core 190 bucks
Dfi (or other NF4 Ultra board) for 120-200 dollars
Win XP Home or Pro (32bit) (OEM) don't waste your money on Win XP 64. From what you are describing it will do nothing for you but cause driver headaches

Edit: Better yet, let us know more about what you are planning to do with the computer, whether you are going to attempt to build it, have someone you know build it, or want a pre-built system

 

[keichan82]

Thanks.
I don't need another AMD 64. I just want to try out something new.
I read about the ram already and the video card as well, but you confirmed it for me.
You mentioned this as a "beast".. haha.. got me more interested.
Do you think this will run faster than my current computer if I use:

2 - AMD Opteron? 246 CPUs
Tyan Thunder K8SD Pro (S2882-D) motherboard
Microsoft Server 2003 x64 Edition

with

2 x Cheetah SCSI Raid 0

ALso, hows the overclock on this?
Thanks.

 

[imported_michaelpatrick33]

It will make for a quite fast file server/web server etc. The AMD server boards don't have anywhere near the overclocking options of the desktop boards. They are designed for maximum stability not aggressively time peformance at the risk of stability

Why do you want this built?

Edit: It will not run as fast on single threaded apps judging by your sig. Your rig will blow the doors off this rig on all single-threaded applications. Throw in Lightwave or other true multi-threaded app (or major multi-tasking than the tables could turn).

 

[keichan82]

Oh..
So I guess dual cores for me.

 

[imported_michaelpatrick33]

That is what I am doing. X2 4400+ watercooled hopefully 2600+. MMMMMM baby.

Edit:

Awesome rig for not knowing anything about computers