Mike Miller wrote: > I want to put together a 64-bit Linux server system using AMD chips (I'm > assuming that would give maximum bang for the buck). I guess I could > run Fedora Core 4 x64 version with multiple CPUs. What do you all > think? Is FC4 a good choice? Is there another Linux distro that can > use the 64-bit system? I rum Gentoo on and AMD64 2800+ w/ 1gb ram and I must say it kicks ass. I am impressed beyond belief. (definitely prefer it to my damned athlon 4 1600+ laptop that turns off because of heat issues when doing a kernel compile!!!) Anyway, I do believe I have read on the gentoo lists and #gentoo-amd64 on freenode that it supports multi proc machines and dual core single or dual core multi proc machines just fine, too. that's what I know, feel free to write with any questions, or if you would like help installing, I can bring a amd64 gentoo install cd and my brain, (the cd may be of more help.. :p) nick > > For information about CPUs, someone directed me here: > >> Here is a very good site to look at for AMD Opteron chips. It has a >> list of all current AMD Opteron chips, single- and dual-core, 130nm >> and 90nm processes, 1-way, 2-way, and 8-way CPUs. >> >> http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/ProductInformation/0,,30_118_8796_9240,00.html >> > > > It is an excellent site. Also, they have links to useful performance > benchmarks. I guess what I'm seeing is basically what I'd expect -- the > dual cores are faster than single cores, but not twice as fast. The > dual cores cost more than twice as much as the single cores. But the > 4-socket mobo costs a lot more than the 2-socket mobo, so there is some > trade off as you go up the price ladder by adding more CPUs to your > machine. > > Here are some numbers for 8xx processors (up to eight per mobo): > > Processor Speed core price (pricewatch.com) > --------- ------ ------ ----- > Model 852 2.6GHz single $1350 > Model 850 2.4GHz single $1100 > Model 848 2.2GHz single $ 847 > Model 875 2.2GHz dual $2350 > Model 846 2.0GHz single $ 623 > Model 870 2.0GHz dual $2155 > Model 844 1.8GHz single $ 690 > Model 865 1.8GHz dual $1520 > > The 846 at only $615 + S/H is a steal. > > Here are some numbers for 2xx processors (up to two per mobo): > > Processor Speed core price (pricewatch.com) > --------- ------ ------ ----- > Model 248 2.2GHz single $ 349 > Model 275 2.2GHz dual $ 856 > Model 246 2.0GHz single $ 225 > Model 270 2.0GHz dual $ 856 > Model 244 1.8GHz single $ 194 > Model 265 1.8GHz dual $ 855 > > > A Tyan S4882 Thunder K8QS Pro Motherboard with four Opteron 846 > single-core CPUs would cost about $3642 (4 x $623 + $1150). But a Tyan > S2881G2NR Dual Socket 940 Opteron Motherboard with two Opteron 275 > dual-core CPUs would probably be about 90% as fast (60-70% faster per > cpu for the dual cores and 10% more for the faster clock rate), but it > would cost only $2162 (2 x $856 + $450). > > Interesting. I'll have to check to see how much money I can afford to > blow on this. > > For 8-socket boards, it looks like Tyan Thunder K8QW (S4881) is out, but > you seem to need to put two of them together to get 8 sockets, so I > think we're talking about $3800 or so just for the mobo for 8-sockets. > > Hmmm... the more I think about it, the better the two dual-cores at 2.2 > GHz for about $2200 is looking. After that you start to pay a lot more > to get a little improvement. > > Any tips on this stuff would be greatly appreciated. Are any of you > running a 64-bit Linux OS on a multi-processor Opteron machine? > > Thanks in advance for any ideas you can share. > > Best, > > Mike > -- ------------------------------ nick thompson all unix all the time. ------------------------------