XEON vs Opteron

[enthdigry]

Hey all, I ran a search and didn't find anything about this topic recently. I've visited some Engineering/FEA forums with no luck and contacted the software developers for input but they haven't been able to say much.

I am currently building an FEA/CFD/3D Modeling machine for structural and aerodynamic analysis as well as 3D design. I am undecided whether to go with XEON or Opteron processors.

Both systems would be Dual Quad Core machines.

Given the nature of FEA being very memory intensive, would AMD's higher bandwidth over Intel (40GB/s vs. 20GB/s) be an advantage? My machine will have 8-16GB of RAM and complicated FEA analysis can easily fill that up.

Dell workstations run XEON processors whereas HP workstations run Opteron processors and I have been unable to find benchmarks for these latest workstations.


The rest of the machine will be:

Win XP 64bit
8GB RAM - will order more later if needed
QUADRO 3700 (undecided if I want to go dual with SLI)
4X SAS drives in RAID 5
1000W+ PSU

 

[Zstream]

As you can see here in FEA Opterons are better http://www.intel.com/performan...erver/xeon/hpcapp3.htm

When you come to the CFD check here http://www.fluent.com/software...lbench_6.3/fullres.htm

 

[enthdigry]

Thanks for the reply. Too bad Intel doesn't include Opteron in the other studies on that first link.

 

[Zstream]

It does, its the quad core opteron listed in grey bar.

 

[enthdigry]

I was referring to the other programs the benchmarked on Intel processors. Only a couple others have Opteron comparisons. I am particularly interested in ANSYS

 

[enthdigry]

Can anyone here offer suggestions on which route I should take?

The numbers are definitely not cut and dry to lead to the best solution.

It seems that Dual Processor Quad Core motherboards for Opterons are somewhat limited as well.

 

[aigomorla]

Wait til gainestown.

End of thread!

:T


AMD will get slaughtered by Gainestown.

 

[enthdigry]

When is that coming out? I need to have the components ordered by the end of September.

EDIT: Wikipedia: Late 2008--wont work.

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: enthdigry
When is that coming out? I need to have the components ordered by the end of September.

EDIT: Wikipedia: Late 2008--wont work.

for server performance its like night and day dude.

It takes a 8 physical core Opty to chase down a 4 physical core gainestown cpu.

You sure you cant wait?

 

[enthdigry]

Originally posted by: aigomorla

Originally posted by: enthdigry
When is that coming out? I need to have the components ordered by the end of September.

EDIT: Wikipedia: Late 2008--wont work.

for server performance its like night and day dude.

It takes a 8 physical core Opty to chase down a 4 physical core gainestown cpu.

You sure you cant wait?

I am switching groups and do not have a system to work on in the new group. Plus I work for the Govt. so our funding vanishes in October.

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: enthdigry

I am switching groups and do not have a system to work on in the new group. Plus I work for the Govt. so our funding vanishes in October.

Then its a hard call. :\

Opterons arent bad in the sever sector. However harpertowns arent bad either.

 

[enthdigry]

Well, I got some time to decide now. I wish there was a release date for the Gainestown CPUs

 

[enthdigry]

I got in my two NVIDIA QUADRO 3700s, Dell 2408WFPs, and no system to use them with.

 

[aigomorla]

whatever route you go keep us up to date.

i would like to know what enterprise platform you went.

 

[wwswimming]

my introduction to 3D modelling was working for an ANSYS VAR -
in 1988-1989.

the head guy in the office had a Ridge supermini. i had 5 PC's,
the flagship computer in the Aries/solidmodelling area was a
Compaq Deskpro 386.20.

love those pretty multi-colored outputs.

 

[enthdigry]

I'm in luck! Found out there are some extra Dual Processor Dual Core XEON machines available to hold me over until more details about Gainestown become available.

 

[NXIL]

This new 6 core (Dunnington, a 6 core Penryn variant....still not Gainestown) of any revelance to what you are looking for?

http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/39324/135/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X...nington_-_with_6_cores

Some Gainestown facts and figures, pre release:

http://img.inpai.com.cn/2008/7...-b38c-35c8501854d0.jpg

http://www.hardspell.com/pic/p...-8f90-a4a17976b725.jpg

http://www.hardspell.com/pic/p...-95b2-0afa9816b3be.jpg

http://www.hardspell.com/pic/p...-b38c-35c8501854d0.jpg

GL

NXIL