2. If you really want to handle large memory/datasets get a 64bit machine
- eg Alpha(s)
While the architecture of 64-bit machines like Alphas UltraSPARCS is better
for large memory, there still isn't much of a market of available large-memory
Alpha-based and UltraSPARC-based systems. I have looked at four vendors:
http://www.microway.com
http://www.dcginc.com
http://www.digital.com
http://www.sun.com
The largest memory system that Microway currently sells is the Alpha Screamer
motherboard which takes only 1G of memory. The largest memory Alpha-based
system that DCG currently sells is the 164LX motherboard which takes only 512M
of memory. The largest memory UltraSPARC-based system that DCG currently sells
is the AXi motherboard which takes only 1G of memory.
At the 1G level, one doesn't need an Alpha or an UltraSPARC. I have a dual
200MHz PPro (Goliath motherboard) with 1G in it. And I'm running a 617M
process for several days on one CPU while I do other work on the other CPU.
The only Alphas that I can find that take more than 2G of memory are the ones
from Digital/Compaq: the really high-end AlphaServer 4000, 4100, 8200, 8400,
GS60 and GS140. The only UltraSPARCs that I can find that take more than 2G of
memory are the ones from Sun: models above the Enterprise 450.
Even Microway's not-yet-available next-generation Alpha motherboard will only
take 2G.
In contrast, at least Dell, Gateway, Compaq, ASL, and Net Express advertise
Quad Xeon machines that take up to 4G or even 8G.
Jeff (http://www.neci.nj.nec.com/homepages/qobi)
