AMD 64 Dual System

[Sniper_83]

I'm looking to price a system that I most likely won't build too soon.

I want sugestions on hardware (mother board mainly) for a Dual 64bit cpu server comuter.

Gigibit LAN needed...DUH!

Wireless securities also a plus, obvously this is mostly software.

[Arkaine23]

Some parts will depend on your OS.

Basically, you can get this motherboard:

http://www.opteronics.com/opteron-motherboard-RioWorks.htm

for around $470 or so. It's the only one I've found that has 8 DIMMs for the potential for a full on 16GB of ram. 2GB registered sticks go for $710 each or so, 1GB more like $235 each.

The 2Ghz opterons go for about $800 each.

Add full tower case, HDD's, and beefy PSU for several hundred dollars, and a NIC that works with your OS of choice.

I always use FreeBSD or Linux for servers (and netgrear Gbit NIC), so some of my choices might not fit for you, or my emphasis on a board that can handle 16GB of ram may not be very important to you. Also, maybe you are looking for more than a single 40GB ata100 HDD and prefer lots of drives or raid arrays....

Total cost = $4200-$8000 depending on how much ram (8GB to 16GB), and whether you use 1Gb sticks or 2GB sticks. My planned system will run around $5100, specs:

2x 2Ghz opterons
8GB ram (4x2GB modules) upgrade to 16GB later
40GB ata100 Seagate or maxtor
Gbit NIC
tnt2 or similar mostly 2d card
Antec style tower
450-530 watt PSU
cd-rom
floppy
64 bit Gentoo Linux



Add about $800 or more if you want it to be a rackmount system.

[Xtc4u]

The Tyan Thunder K8S Pro offers 8 dimms for up to 16GB of ram also.

[XWRed1]

Gentoo runs from stage1 on amd64 now (as Arkaine listed).

Would be a good choice, would make it easy to run 100% 64bit software on that box.

[Sniper_83]

I have been told that a version of Linux has been built or coded for the 64bit CPU, is this true?

[Arkaine23]

because you can access the source code for almost everything in linux. All you need to do is compile binaries using the athlon64 flag and the software will get the benefits of some 64 bit optimizations, though that's not quite the same as saying all software is compiled is 64-bit. There is however a 64 bit kernel for Linux and a distro like gentoo (which install all software from source code) can really take advantage of 64 bit Athlons more than any other OS on the market at this time.

[Sniper_83]

So could you run that by me once more?

I'm not sure I grasp what you said. I think I do but I want to make sure.

Just rephrase it if you could.

[Arkaine23]

Linux has a 64 bit kernel = which essentially means its is a 64 bit OS

Linux has many compilers as a method of installing software executable binaries from raw source code. With compilers and source code, you can create customized binaries to fit any architecture, such as PPC CPU's, i386 CPU's, i686 CPU's, Sun sparc of Ultrsparc CPU's, and even the Athlon 64. Essentially access to source code and a good compiler can allow you to take applications and make versions that are compatible with other platforms. Thus software in Linux can be optimized to the 64bit Athlons rather easily. Though the original software was maybe not designed for 64 bit, it can be run in 64 bit mode and may gain benifits from doing so.

[Sniper_83]

Cool thanks for clearifying that. Thats what it sounded like but I wasn't sure if I read it right.

Thank you!

[Sniper_83]

I havent had time to look at the stats no the hardware you ppl have listed!

I want to know if the mobo's have built in SATA and onboard raid that would support raid 5?

I would like to get some high volume segate or true SATA drives to put into a raid 5 config.

[XWRed1]

Linux has been running on 64bit machines for close over 10 years now. 64bit Linux isn't a big deal.

[Sniper_83]

It is to a guy how don't know Linux!

Would it be worth waiting for Longhorn, to see if it will have 64 bit support?

[XWRed1]

Probably not, Longhorn is a long ways away.

Even when the OS supports 64bit, your apps have to also or (on amd64 anyways) its the same as having a normal 32bit cpu. Albeit a fast one - Hammers are darn fast either way.

On Linux most all apps that are remotely relevant will run fine in 64bit.

[Sniper_83]

It will be a while before I have the money for theis system. So Longhorn will be close to release when I have all the studing on the hardware and have the money. I'm starting my plans now and should be done in the next 2-3 years giveing it time for software to develope into 64 bit support. My goal is to find out who's doing what now and make adjustments on the way.

[Arkaine23]

We should see a 64bit windows early next year but it won't be longhorn as far as I know.

And about SATA and onboard raids- probably not. Server boards tend to use the real thing, ie. SCSI off of 64-bit PCI controller cards. While I tend to save money and use ordinary IDE controller cards and IDE HDD's and just configure software raid arrays.

[Sniper_83]

Longhorn is due in 2006 or 2005!

Like I said before I don't have the funds now but I should in a 1-3 years.

College loans are gona kill me!

[noble2501]

Sounds cool, I don't really have anything to add toagh. After 1-3 years it would be pretty pointless to go and buy 1-3 years old stuff (unless ofcourse money is a bigber problem).
I'd get an asus mobo with amd processor, but this is only an personal opinion. :)

[Sniper_83]

Yes but this is the start of my planing! It will change as does technology! That is the reason for some of the wait.

[Sniper_83]

Does anyone know if their is a mobo that was built with an error and would accept two FX CPU's? kinda like how Tyan made a mobo with an error that let you use two XP CPU's insted of the MP CPU's.

[XWRed1]

I never heard of such a Tyan board.

The XPs were smp-disabled in the chip, you had to cut some bridges on them.

[everclock]

I like that you are trying to learn as much about duals now so you can buy what u want in 2-3 years, but just look around on the forums to read up. Its kinda pointless to ask such specifiic questions for something you will never buy. In 2-3 years K9 will be out, and you will be able to buy an smp rig with one socket!

[DaveB]

Originally posted by Sniper_83
I have been told that a version of Linux has been built or coded for the 64bit CPU, is this true?


Mandrake Linux 9.2rc1 has been optimized for the Athlon 64.

Link (http://www.mandrakelinux.com/en/92amd64beta.php3)

[Arkaine23]

Originally posted by XWRed1
I never heard of such a Tyan board.

The XPs were smp-disabled in the chip, you had to cut some bridges on them.

There are a few where I work, 2460's with bios 1.03. They're running palomino XP's as if they were MP's without an L5 mod.

[Crash893]

but even if you have a 64bit compliant os you still have to have 64bit apps to reap the benifits right

[Arkaine23]

Since most software for linux is open source, the source code is available for download. And since any decent distro has the gcc complier, you can compile the software from source using the -m64 flag, thus creating a binary application that is optimized for the AMD64 bit architecture.

[Sniper_83]

Originally posted by everclock
I like that you are trying to learn as much about duals now so you can buy what u want in 2-3 years, but just look around on the forums to read up. Its kinda pointless to ask such specifiic questions for something you will never buy. In 2-3 years K9 will be out, and you will be able to buy an smp rig with one socket!

My build date has changed to about the 3rd Quarter of 2004 with what now appears will be the 939 socket mobo's. I'm hopeing that they will support the multi CPU systems.

[Audioaficionado]

Originally posted by Arkaine23
Since most software for linux is open source, the source code is available for download. And since any decent distro has the gcc complier, you can compile the software from source using the -m64 flag, thus creating a binary application that is optimized for the AMD64 bit architecture.

Hmmm...

If I do end up putting together a dual AMD64 platform, I'll most likely go with Gentoo and compile the apps for 64bit optimization. This is a very cool and powerful feature.

I'll just use removable OS root RAID hard drives if I also use 64bit XP or s2k3 to keep things tidy. I can have an internal storage or LAN network drive for common files.

I don't know why anyone would want Longhorn and its Palladium Technology on a nice computer when there's so many other options.