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I'm on a quest to build a low-cost 8-core Linux workstation for my new company. I'm using this article to compile all of my research as I scan through the huge amounts of data on the net. Hopefully, someone else will benefit from my work here.
Update: I just found a nice article on Ars Technica, which has a configuration for a "GOD box", it still came out a bit pricey in the end, but they figure in the cost of two insanely large monitors and other add ons. Check out the article here
http://arstechnica.com/guides/buyer/guide-200708.ars/4
I would probably follow that guide as far as building a "GOD Box". These are quality components, which undoubtedly equals a solid configuration.
Alright, here's the deal. I have a couple of motion graphics and animation jobs coming up. One problem, I have a 2Ghz Dell box, running linux, and a super small Sony VAIO SZ120P. The sad part is, the laptop has the most memory and processing power of any other computer that I own. Yeah, I know, pretty pitifull. So, it's now time to build a bad ass box that can tackle the intense graphics production work that I will be delving into.
The 8-core MAC looks pretty insane, I love the OS, but the damn hardware is way out of my price range. So, I'm going to need to cut costs by configuring my own 8-core system, or buying a preconfigured system on the cheap.
One article that really caught my eye is here, which describes the Intel V8: http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,2080517,00.asp
One article that really caught my eye is here, which describes the
Intel V8: http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,2080517,00.asp
Motherboards that support 8-cores, that I can find.
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Supermicro X7DB8+, Intel 5000P Dual Channel DDR2 FB-DIMM Chipset
After a lot of searching, I'm getting a little upset that I'm seeing in some of these reviews. In all actuality, I may down-grade my expectations and go with a 4 or even 2 core alternative.
Pre-configured system:
- I'm configuring these systems with only one quad-core cpu at the moment to keep the cost down I called HP and they said whatever config I choose, it's the same motherboard. So, I could drop in another processor whenever I see fit.
- Boxx 8300 Series My Boxx configuration is a little different than the HP and Dell below. A few nice things about BOXX is that they market solely to us VFX folk. But, there are a couple of draw backs. With a BOXX, i'm going to need to blow a bit more money on the initial purchase. They don't offer the ability to buy only one cpu. With good reason though. Aparently CPUs, even cpus of the same model, aren't always equal. It's a good precautionary measure to pair CPUs with the same "bin" number, as I understand it. As far as the case design. The BOXX looks pretty open (lots of room for small person smuggling). hehe.. Sound levels are reported to be ~50db. So, with the addition of the 2nd cpu and a better Vid Card, this thing comes to ,which is still half as expensive as an Apple with comparible hardware.
 
- - this option is looking pretty nice. I like the idea of having a little support and the peace of mind that I'm not going to have a bunch of hardware conflicts. This system configured with the least expensive Xeon processors is coming in at $2,454.00.
- Precision Workstation 690 offers an alternative configured with the same specs,, it comes out to $2,543
I think the air flow setup on the DELL looks more efficient and well thought out. I wonder which is less noisy.
- Both of these cases are butt ugly
- Both support Linux right off the bat. The Dell comes preinstalled with RedHat
Yeesh.. I'm spending all day on this thing.. Time to get some real work done...
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