imported_reformist
Junior Member
I've been doing some research on a base platform (CPU, Motherboard) for a new developer box I'd like to build, at an affordable cost. I know developer workstations are probably common on this board, so I'd like to enlist the expertise of anyone who wants help.
I'll be doing a lot of compiling and running, as most developer boxes should; in particular, developing the Eclipse IDE using the Eclipse IDE (so at least two massive programs running at all times). This machine is linux machine and will participate in a compiler farm. I'm trying to get this base (CPU, Motherboard) for under $500. If it's a single proc machine, I'd like to do it for a lot less than that.
I've been looking into Athlon MPs, a) because they are fair in price right now (at least up to 2600) and because they of course can do SMP. The disadvantages I've discovered using this route are that they have little upgradability, the motherboards are expensive, and no MP platform can use PC3200.
Upgradability is not really a problem, as this would probably be a one-time purchase (I don't usually upgrade my machines, except for GPUs).
The AMD 64-bit stuff is very very expensive (for my standards) right now and so isn't really an option, and if it were, I'd like to do SMP, in which I need registered RAM, adding to the budget. I'd like to buy 2x1GB PC3200 sticks, as they can be had for ~$100 each right now, which is not bad.
So, considering that, a single-proc machine wouldn't be out of the question if the wisdom of these forums thinks that is where the value lies. I know you can get an Athlon XP 3200+333mhz mobo on pricewatch for ~$110, which is sick. I would probably want something nicer like an nforce2, but honestly single-proc AMD seems to be the lowest price in town.
I haven't been researching the Intel platforms because I am quite unfamiliar with them. If someone could recommend a starting point I will continue my research looking at what Intel has to offer, but it is has been my experience that, when you need to meet a price point (in this case, $400-$500) Intel usually doesn't cut it.
Thanks!
I'll be doing a lot of compiling and running, as most developer boxes should; in particular, developing the Eclipse IDE using the Eclipse IDE (so at least two massive programs running at all times). This machine is linux machine and will participate in a compiler farm. I'm trying to get this base (CPU, Motherboard) for under $500. If it's a single proc machine, I'd like to do it for a lot less than that.
I've been looking into Athlon MPs, a) because they are fair in price right now (at least up to 2600) and because they of course can do SMP. The disadvantages I've discovered using this route are that they have little upgradability, the motherboards are expensive, and no MP platform can use PC3200.
Upgradability is not really a problem, as this would probably be a one-time purchase (I don't usually upgrade my machines, except for GPUs).
The AMD 64-bit stuff is very very expensive (for my standards) right now and so isn't really an option, and if it were, I'd like to do SMP, in which I need registered RAM, adding to the budget. I'd like to buy 2x1GB PC3200 sticks, as they can be had for ~$100 each right now, which is not bad.
So, considering that, a single-proc machine wouldn't be out of the question if the wisdom of these forums thinks that is where the value lies. I know you can get an Athlon XP 3200+333mhz mobo on pricewatch for ~$110, which is sick. I would probably want something nicer like an nforce2, but honestly single-proc AMD seems to be the lowest price in town.
I haven't been researching the Intel platforms because I am quite unfamiliar with them. If someone could recommend a starting point I will continue my research looking at what Intel has to offer, but it is has been my experience that, when you need to meet a price point (in this case, $400-$500) Intel usually doesn't cut it.
Thanks!