Tech questions on Opterons

[The Internal]

Greetings,

Okay, so correct me if I'm wrong here. Opterons use socket 940. They obviously use registered (aka ECC) RAM. In a multiproc setup, do they each require their own RAM? Can you run dual Athlon FX53s on socket 940? Which has the best overall price/performance ration: single Athlon FX-55, dual Opterons, or quad Opterons? Do Opterons suck ass for gaming, or are they just a little slower than the standard Athlon 64s? What should someone expect to spend on just the motherboard, procs and RAM for a dual or quad setup?

Thanks

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K, more questions. This Tyan Mobo has two PCI Express slots, but obviously not SLI. Is a dual Opteron mobo basically just two in one? Can you use just one graphics card for the whole thing? Does 3ds Max have support for dual Opteron and dual graphics cards? Do these motherboards require obscenely expensive cases? Is transitioning from high end consumer level system building to Opterons a huge pain?

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[The Internal]

Well, I don't seem to be getting any responses... does anyone at least know of any reputable sources doing dual opteron vs. Athlon FX performance benchmarks?

 

[thelordemperor]

Opterons use socket 940

Yes.

In a multiproc setup, do they each require their own RAM?

This depends on the motherboard manufacturer's implimentation. Non Uniform Memory Architecture (NUMA) gives each CPU its own set of memory, and each needs at least one physical stick. There are some motherboards which use UMA, and the CPUs share the memory.

Can you run dual Athlon FX53s on socket 940?

No, the FX is not SMP enabled.

Which has the best overall price/performance ration: single Athlon FX-55, dual Opterons, or quad Opterons?

For your gaming and 3DSMax a single CPU would more than suffice. I have yet to see a quad opteron ATX motherboard.

Do Opterons suck ass for gaming, or are they just a little slower than the standard Athlon 64s?

An opteron would actually be a bit better than an equally clocked A64 because all opterons have the full 1MB cache and dual channel memory.

What should someone expect to spend on just the motherboard, procs and RAM for a dual or quad setup?

www.newegg.com find out for yourself.

Is a dual Opteron mobo basically just two in one? Can you use just one graphics card for the whole thing?

3DSMax should support SMP, as for SLI, it should be done in hardware when you're working, but I don't know what effect it would have on rendering, I estimate none.

Does 3ds Max have support for dual Opteron and dual graphics cards?

It isn't two motherboards in one. It's one motherboard with two CPUs, the rest operates just like any other motherboard. So yes you only need one video card.

Do these motherboards require obscenely expensive cases?

No, but preferably a large case, with a very nice power supply. Some dual CPU motherboards can fit happily in an ATX mid-tower.

Is transitioning from high end consumer level system building to Opterons a huge pain?

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

 

[Machupo]

i've got a Tyan S2882 w/ a pair of 248's and 8 sticks of corsair... it's a dream

first off, it's more like two motherboard that you'd imagine... google "NUMA" (non-uniform memory access) and that'll get you off on a start