Multimedia encoding, decoding, transcoding, editing, etc is one area where a multicore cpu can really reduce the time it takes to process video, provide the application uses them. I'll need to check my "system monitor" in Fedora 11, the next time I'm processing video, to see if the media applications I'm using are taking advantage of two or more of my Phenom II x4 cpus, (eg cpu0 through cpu3, I believe). The "System Monitor" show percent of cpu usage for each of the four cores.
In researching all this stuff, I noticed AMD has come out with a new Phenom 6-core, that I was considering for upgrade to my M4A78T-E motherboard brought last year. AMD has a BIOS upgrade that would allow the new 6-core Phenom to run on my motherboard, and it only cost about $210.00, LOL , but after reading and thinking on it, I've decided to hold off for the next great thing. My desktop system is fine to run my Apache web server and PostgreSQL database server, as there is never anywhere near a full load placed on them, so I'm good. Regards, LelandJ On 05/14/2010 01:18 PM, Kurt Wendt wrote: > Hey there Leland, > > Thanks for all your research on the Chips!!! I really appreciate it - > and it's a good bit enlightening! > > Although - the answer to your comment about my usage - it's actually in > the message Subject! I work with 3DS Max. And, in fact (although I may > be a little off) - it was probably one of the very FIRST pieces of SW on > the market that COULD take advantage of multiple cores. I could since > the earlier days - back when I had a Dell 300Mhz Pentium w/2 Chips in > it. > > I believe it was a little later that Video Editing SW could properly > take advantage of multiple CPUs. [However - don't quote me on it.] > > 3DS Max - the Windows version (earlier version were just called 3D > Studio for DOS) came out circa 1990... > > -K- > > -----Original Message----- > From: profoxtech-boun...@leafe.com [mailto:profoxtech-boun...@leafe.com] > On Behalf Of Leland F. Jackson, CPA > Sent: Friday, May 14, 2010 1:06 PM > To: profoxt...@leafe.com > Subject: Re: [NF] Building a SuperFast 3D Workstation...Was.RE: [NF] > serverspecs > > I though I would look into the difference between cpus targeted for > server versus cpus targeted for workstations or desktops. The server > cpu is designed to handle a longer 24/7 duty cycle versus a desktop duty > > cycle of 8 AM to 5 PM, 5 days a week, for example. The focus of a > server cpu is throughput vs a workstation/desktop focus on low latency. > > You really don't need a server configuration, (eg motherboard, memory, > multiple x-core cpus, etc); unless, you're running apps that use multi > processes/threads. > > For example, PostgreSQL can take advantage of multi-x-core cpus by > approtioning queries across cores and cups. Also, enabling PostgreSQL > to break up a single query between multi core/multi cpus is in the > works. Another application that benefits form x-core and x-cpus is the > Apache web server, that handles mutiple processes/threads > simultaneously. > > If all you're doing is browsing the web, running open office, writing > programs, maintaining a website, etc, then you would be just fine with > the cheaper intel i5, i7 dual/quad core or amd phenom II dual/quad/hex > core running in a single socket motherboard. > > So far as the intel vs amd controvery goes, if you want the best > price/performance then go amd. If you want 10% or 15% increased > performance over the amd counterpart, and don't mind paying double the > price of it, the go with intel. > > #-------------------------------- > Excerpt: "Difference between phenom and opteron" > > Tweaked memory controllers, Cache sizes, thermal outputs, voltages, > testing scemes, HT links, pricing, included heatsink, speed binning, > many things. > > First of all opty's are tweaked for higher throughput vs latency. Also > their cache sizes in reguard to their speed is also larger. Voltages and > > TDP are lower compared to their equivelint x2 or phenom units. > > Second, opterons are tested for much longer and at higher temperatures > than regular chips. Being server grade, they need to hold up to high > temps for long periods of time, under full load. Thus the chips are also > > binned higher compared to standard units. A 2.0ghz x2 is the same as a > 1.6ghz opteron in terms of cache, just a lower multi and lower voltage. > This is why the highest x2's are 3.2 and optys are 2.6. > > http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=43199 > > #-------------------------------- > > Regards, > > LelandJ > > > > > On 05/13/2010 01:17 PM, Kurt Wendt wrote: > >> Hey there Leland, >> >> Thanks for all your feedback on this. I Broke this thread off into a >> different thread - as I figured I didn't want to diverge much more on >> the original Server Spec's request - as the thread already diverted >> > into > >> musical territories. Funny how that happens! :-) >> >> So - you are saying - its cheaper for me to buy a motherboard and a >> SINGLE 12-core processor? OR, are you saying - even the 12-core is >> > VERY > >> pricey. I haven't looked for specific pricing on it yet. My initial >> thoughts were trying to build one based upon 2 of the HexaCore AMD >> CPU's. And, I suspect that buying a dual CPU HexaCore mobo w/2 chips - >> is probably cheaper than a single 12-Core chip and mobo! Am I right? >> >> Although - to be honest - I won't be building a new PC any time too >> soon. Being that summer is around the bend - and I got my big CG >> conference to attend in LA - I'm gonna have to save up for that. But, >> who knows... >> >> L8r, >> -K- >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: profoxtech-boun...@leafe.com >> > [mailto:profoxtech-boun...@leafe.com] > >> On Behalf Of Leland F. Jackson, CPA >> Sent: Wednesday, May 12, 2010 6:27 PM >> >> Whoops, some of the links aren't working: >> >> Here the power supply: >> >> >> > http://www.mwave.com/mwave/deepsearch_v3.asp?scriteria=Antec+TP+650&ALL= > >> y&TP= >> >> >> > http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=Antec+TP-650&oe=utf-8&rls=org.m > >> > ozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=145939649687405 > >> > 4045&ei=oynrS7vaBamIlAecqdDeDw&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result& > >> resnum=3&ved=0CDIQ8wIwAg#ps-sellers >> >> I brought the case and power supply as a bundle, so the power supply >> arrived already installed in the case. I just popped the already >> assembled MB in the case, installed the drives, video card, hooked up >> all the cables, and booted her right up. >> >> or >> >> http://tinyurl.com/23nb4hk >> >> Regards, >> >> LelandJ >> >> >> >> On 05/12/2010 05:04 PM, Leland Jackson wrote: >> >> >> >>> The new AMD 6100 series cpus running in the G34 sockets are >>> > expensive. > >>> They should come down in price in time. >>> >>> You may not need a dual socket motherboard for your workstation. >>> > This > >>> review will give you some idea of where the AMD 6100 series cpu >>> >>> >> shines: >> >> >>> >>> >> > http://www.anandtech.com/show/2978/amd-s-12-core-magny-cours-opteron-617 > >> 4-vs-intel-s-6-core-xeon/5 >> >> >>> or >>> >>> http://tinyurl.com/26cqgoq >>> >>> I built a workstation about a year ago using mwave as follows: >>> >>> #------------------------------------------------------------ >>> >>> 1) BA31314 -BA26037 -BA26098 -TEST5 1 >>> ASUS M4A78T-E AM3 AMD 790GX ATX motherboard >>> 2xPCI-E(x16)/2xPCI-E(x8)/2xPCI/4xDDR3/integrated VGA/SATA2 >>> >>> >> Raid/Lan(gb) >> >> >>> (Retail)PHENOM II X4 810 2.6G; KINGSTON 4GB KIT KHX13000AD3LLK2/4G; >>> >>> >> FREE >> >> >>> ASSEMBLE/TEST $401.47 $401.47 >>> >>> I like Mwave because they ship the motherboard, cpu, cpu fan and >>> >>> >> memory >> >> >>> already assembled and tested to be sure the motherboard will post. >>> >>> >> The >> >> >>> M4A78-T-E motherboard has been rock solid for me. It's a quality >>> >>> >> board >> >> >>> with quality components, including the good capacitors that last 40 >>> > or > >>> 50 years. >>> >>> >>> >>> >> > https://www.mwave.com/mwave/deepsearch_v3.asp?scriteria=ASUS+M4A78T+E&AL > >> L=y&TP= >> >> >>> or >>> >>> http://tinyurl.com/22mpfa4 >>> #----------------------------------------------------------- >>> >>> 2) >>> 5571462 1 Discontinued on >>> >>> >> 11/20---PNY >> >> >>> XLR8 GeForce 9800 GT EE ("Energy Efficiency") 512MB GDDR3 pci-e >>> > 2.0x16 > >>> hdcp ready SLI supported(#VCG98GTEE5XEB)(retail) $106.99 >>> $106.99 >>> >>> The video is acceptable for what I do. >>> >>> #-------------------------------------------------- >>> 3) >>> BA23818 - -BA35118 -TEST2 1 ANTEC >>> >>> >> P182 >> >> >>> (black) ATX tower case no power supply 4x5.25" 1x3.5" 6x3.5"(hidden) >>> w/front i/o connectors& 120mm case fan x 2 >>> Bundle Options: >>> $237.98 $237.98 >>> >>> The Antec P183 case makes it a breeze to upgrade the system, replace >>> parts, or otherwise work on the system. >>> >>> >>> >>> >> > https://www.mwave.com/mwave/deepsearch_v3.asp?scriteria=Antec+P183+Black > >> +Aluminum&ALL=y&TP= >> >> >>> or >>> >>> http://preview.tinyurl.com/2dtz34b >>> >>> The Antec power supply is also top notch: >>> >>> https://www.mwave.com/mwave/SKUSearch_v3.asp? >>> >>> #---------------------------------------------- >>> >>> AA74518 -BA20504 - 2 WESTERN >>> > DIGITAL > >>> WD3202ABYS RE3 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" internal >>> >>> >> hard >> >> >>> drive (Bare Drive) (OEM)=0.5m UV-BLUE SATA CABLE= NO POWER CORDS >>> > ADDED > >>> $70.40 $140.80 >>> >>> http://www.mwave.com/mwave/SKUSearch_v3.asp? >>> >>> http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.asp?driveid=490 >>> >>> The WD RE3, (eg 3rd generation), drives are enterprise class. You >>> > pay > >>> >>> >> a >> >> >>> little more, but they are worth it. I went with a couple of 320 gig >>> drives to run my Fedora 11 OS. I wanted to keep the capacity down to >>> >>> >> a >> >> >>> reasonable level, so I could make a mirrow image of the OS to the >>> >>> >> second >> >> >>> drive without it taking forever. LOL. I use a WD 750 gig usb drive >>> >>> >> and >> >> >>> a couple of maxtor 200 gig drives for other thing. >>> >>> #-------------------------------------------- >>> >>> I built the system to give me good performance and to be problem >>> > free. > >>> FRDISC 1 Google Discount >>> ($10.00) ($10.00) >>> >>> >>> >>> Thank you for choosing Sub-Total $877.24 >>> Shipping& Handling Fee $35.04 >>> Sales Tax (CA only) $0.00 >>> Order Total 912.28 >>> >>> >>> Regards, >>> >>> LelandJ >>> >>> >>> On 05/12/2010 03:39 PM, Kurt Wendt wrote: >>> >>> >>> >>>> Hey Leland, >>>> >>>> Is that for Real? And 8 and 12 Core CPU from AMD? I'm kinda bad >>>> > about > >>>> keeping up on some of the latest HW. Although, I thought it was only >>>> recently that AMD had come up with a 6-core (HexaCore) CPU. So - I >>>> > am > >>>> shocked to hear of an 8 and a 12 core CPU. >>>> >>>> I used to be big on AMD. However, they weren't keeping up - and >>>> > Intel > >>>> came out with a Quad-Core 1st. And, it seemed that AMD was going to >>>> >>>> >> take >> >> >>>> longer to come out with one. So - I built my last workstation based >>>> >>>> >> upon >> >> >>>> the Intel QuadCore (I think it's a Q6600). However, my prior 2 >>>> workstations were both AMD CPU based which I built. >>>> >>>> I would just LOVE to build myself a new workstation - based upon a 2 >>>> >>>> >> CPU >> >> >>>> motherboard - with 2 HexaCores. I do 3D graphics - when I am not >>>> >>>> >> doing >> >> >>>> VFP (actually working on a possible 3D CG movie deal right now). >>>> > And, > >>>> >>>> >> I >> >> >>>> am also planning to have the main HD of my next system be a SSD type >>>> unit. That - and a serious Video card and lots of RAM should make >>>> > the > >>>> system SCREAM! >>>> >>>> I also saw your other posting - with the Dual CPU motherboard. But, >>>> > I > >>>> saw it was Server specific. I'm wondering if I can find a dual CPU >>>> >>>> >> based >> >> >>>> mo-bo on NewEgg that isn't SO pricey. >>>> >>>> L8r, >>>> -K- >>>> >>>> -----Original Message----- >>>> From: profoxtech-boun...@leafe.com >>>> >>>> >> [mailto:profoxtech-boun...@leafe.com] >> >> >>>> On Behalf Of Leland F. Jackson, CPA >>>> Sent: Wednesday, May 12, 2010 11:15 AM >>>> >>>> On 05/12/2010 04:22 AM, Allen wrote: >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>>> Hi Foxgang >>>>> I have been asked to spec a server... >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>> I like the AMD cpu. Opteron is AMD's server cpu. AMD has a new 8 >>>> >>>> >> core >> >> >>>> and 12 core Opteron cpu, and with a motherboard that supports >>>> >>>> >> multiple >> >> >>>> AMD 8 or 12 core Opterons, (eg dual or quad socketed motherboards), >>>> >>>> >> you >> >> >>>> can really build a server. Here are a few links to get you >>>> >>>> >> thinking: >> >> >>>> http://www.siliconmechanics.com/c1246/rack-server-products.php >>>> http://www.newegg.com/store/SubCategory.aspx?Subcategory=302 >>>> http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16813151149 >>>> http://www.axiontech.com/prdt.php?item=90603 >>>> >>>> >>>> >> > http://www.bit-tech.net/news/hardware/2010/04/08/asus-launches-dual-sock > >> >> >>>> et-amd-g34-motherboa/1 >>>> >>>> Regards, >>>> >>>> LelandJ >>>> >>>> [excessive quoting removed by server] _______________________________________________ Post Messages to: ProFox@leafe.com Subscription Maintenance: http://leafe.com/mailman/listinfo/profox OT-free version of this list: http://leafe.com/mailman/listinfo/profoxtech Searchable Archive: http://leafe.com/archives/search/profox This message: http://leafe.com/archives/byMID/profox/4beda073.2040...@mail.smvfp.com ** All postings, unless explicitly stated otherwise, are the opinions of the author, and do not constitute legal or medical advice. 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