QX9650 vs ? For BOINC / Distributed Computing

[DrPop]

I deleted the long story to save your time. Quick version: I need to purchase a 2 PCI-E slot mobo for GPU crunching, and don't know if I should spend $ on a new socket 775 mobo. I have the highest socket 775 CPU - QX9650 w/ 4GB DDR2 1066 on a single PCI-E slot mobo now.

Does an i7 setup outperform the QX9650 enough in crunching (projects like AQUA), to Ebay the 775 mobo, QX9650 CPU & DDR2, and purchase an i7 cpu, mobo, & DDR3?

(or by any off-chance, do you feel I should swap the Socket 775 gear for an AMD X6 setup? - I doubt that would be an upgrade, but...)

 

[PlasmaBomb]

It really is dependent on what your budget is to be honest...

By the way Anandtech forums does have it's own DC subgroup, which may be better placed to tell you about the ppd you are likely to get from the various set up vs costs...

http://forums.anandtech.com/forumdisplay.php?f=15

PB :thumbsup:

 

[DrPop]

Hi, thanks, I see the Distributed Computing forum now, down under Software.

Any way one of the moderators could move this there, please?
Thank you.

 

[Ken g6]

Let's see...Is there any chance that (1) one of your GPUs is low-profile-capable, and (2) that your existing motherboard has a PCI-E 1x slot available? If so, you can try one of these instead of a full upgrade.

Otherwise, I'm not certain about much of anything WRT your post. First, what BOINC project(s) are you crunching?

Edit: Also, what are the GPUs? Depending on type and project(s), it might make more sense to sell one of those and buy a low-profile something with that adapter.

Edit2: And finally, how powerful is your PSU? Can it support both GPUs at once?

 

[DrPop]

OK, well thanks for the thoughts. My PSUs are powerful enough, and the GPUs are high end ATI.

I suppose the QX9650 is on par with an AMD X6 or maybe even better when O/Ced.
I can't upgrade the socket 775 past the QX9650, and I can't upgrade a socket AM3 past the X6. I can't imagine DDR2 vs DDR3 would make any difference for crunching, either - it's hardly 2% faster even in gaming benchies.

So the only real question left is, does an i7 setup outperform the QX9650 enough in crunching (projects like AQUA), to Ebay the 775 mobo, QX9650 CPU & DDR2, and purchase an i7 cpu, mobo, & DDR3.

 

[dajeepster]

ok... in aqua@home
my q9550 at stock is doing avg 21k ppd ... i have an i7-940 @ 4Ghz doing 43kppd.. most of my i7's are doing anywere from 32kppd to 43kppd in aqua.. hope that helps

 

[DrPop]

Hummm...thanks for the details from your i7 rigs. Looks like this QX9650 might be better than I thought. I think it might average 40K per day or close. It did 54K, then 30K, then today looks like it should be right at 40K...I need to run it a good week or so on Aqua to get the average.

Is there any reason to get an i7 rig over a socket 775 rig other than that? Those numbers aren't making me itch to spend the $ on the i7...but sometimes the whole is greater than the sum of the parts...

 

[somethingsketchy]

Well you'll have the advantage of using triple-channel memory instead of dual-channel memory (the biggest advantage I can see). The only other advantage for going to an LGA 1366 socket over the 775 socket, is the thermal load. Your QX9650 will be dumping a lot of heat compared to an i7 920/930/950/980X processor.

So bear that in mind when if you plan on running this processor 100% 24/7, as your energy bill will be affected

 

[Ken g6]

Your QX9650 will be dumping a lot of heat compared to an i7 920/930/950/980X processor.

This surprises me. They're all on 45nm, after all.

Unless you mean that the overclocked 9650 will dump more heat than an un-overclocked i7 for the same rate of work completion. That I can agree with.

 

[DrPop]

Thanks for discussion. I know it sounds crazy, and I don't want people thinking I'm trolling or anything, that's why at first I posted the whole story. But, I got to thinking that might be wasting people's time, so I deleted it.
Basically, I've had this QX9650 for less than a week, only paid $200 for it, which I figure is quite a fair price - it is fast, believe me. It's unlocked multi is nice, and I've got it O/Ced to 3.6 GHz on the stock HSF. I could probably go higher with better cooling, but I am afraid to try on the stock HSF.

I need a mobo with 2 PCI-E slots, though. There is no question I will be buying another mobo. What I'm confused about is whether I should get another socket 775 mobo and drop the QX9650 and my 4GB DDR2 1066 into it;

Or should I sell it all and buy an i7 CPU, mobo and DDR3. The hassle of selling it all and the extra money I would kick in has to be outweighed by something. I'm not seeing where a few thousand points per day is pushing me real hard to get the i7 yet.
However, the energy argument you brought up does get my attention. Yes, both my rigs are on, crunching full time, 24/7. No, it's not cheap. Where would I go to see the difference of watts under a full load? I find it hard to believe a total system load would be much lower with the i7, but if it is, then I am all for that!

The one other thing the 1366 i7 platform has going for it in my mind is the possibility of upgrading processors later. Can't go any further with the 775 and AM3 platforms than what I already have.
Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[dajeepster]

get a high efficiency power supply... All of my systems run at least an 85% or better... the last three psu i bought were 90% +.. the power supplies are a little bit more expensive than others, but they normally come with a 5 yr warrenty min. and they can always go in a new system...

higher efficiency psu dump less heat.. why you ask... cause they are more efficient.. duh.. lol... no .. seriously... don't skimp on the psu.

 

[Mr. Pedantic]

get a high efficiency power supply... All of my systems run at least an 85% or better... the last three psu i bought were 90% +.. the power supplies are a little bit more expensive than others, but they normally come with a 5 yr warrenty min. and they can always go in a new system...

higher efficiency psu dump less heat.. why you ask... cause they are more efficient.. duh.. lol... no .. seriously... don't skimp on the psu.

One... full... stop... at... a... time... is... a... good... thing...



.

This surprises me. They're all on 45nm, after all.

Unless you mean that the overclocked 9650 will dump more heat than an un-overclocked i7 for the same rate of work completion. That I can agree with.

I doubt it. Nehalem is a hot, hot chip. Maybe it's valid for the 980X, 970, and the Clarkdale & Arrandale procs. But not for the 920, and maybe not even the 930 and 950.

 

[DrPop]

Just read about 3hrs. worth of reviews after reading some of your replies today. Ah, my eyes are tired now, LOL!
Looking at Anandtech Bench http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/48 , it would be marginal differences for what I'm doing between the QX9770, AMD X6, and i7 950.
I just made a spreadsheet of my 3 options, and Keeping the QX9650, getting a new mobo & DDR3 RAM would be the same $ as selling the 775 stuff and getting an AMD X6, mobo & DDR3 RAM. The equivalent i7 950 setup would be $200 more.

For what tiny extra bit of oomph it would give, I can't justify spending the extra $200 on i7 right now. These rigs are dedicated crunchers: AQUA & PrimeGrid on CPU, Milkyway, DNETC, and Collatz on GPUs. And we all know that most of the points come from GPU...
I honestly thought there would be a bigger difference between something as high as the i7 950 and the QX & X6 cpus. Guess not. At least not for what I'm doing (i.e. not gaming in Xfire mode.)

Well, thanks to everyone, I've learned a lot here. Feel a lot more up on the subject after today.
Since I must get a new mobo w/ 2 PCI-E, what do you all suggest? It's now a toss up between keeping the QX9650 or going with an AMD X6. I realize the CPU power is almost equal. It's more the "platform" - like I can get USB 3.0, SATAIII on an AM3 board but not on the 775 board I'm looking at. (But does that really matter? Doubtful.) Also do you know if either platform plays better with GPU crunching - pair of 5870s - not in Xfire mode?

EDIT: I will post my exact (NEW) question in the CPU / OC fourm.
Thanks!