Minimal footprint DC computing setup?

[sjvarley]

Does anyone have any ideas on a minimal footprint distributed computing setup? I was thinking el-cheapo board, c2d, mem, power supply and boot linix and the client off of a usb key. No display, case, etc.

Basically I want something simple I can replicate over and over and build some grid computing capability in a spare closet.

[sjvarley]

I found this minimal computer at newegg:

http://global.shuttle.com/Product/Barebone/SS31T-Spec.asp
$99

512MB of ddr2800 memory: $22

E4300, $117 or celeron 420 for $35.

I guess if you were creative, you could boot from the ethernet interface.

[sjvarley]

ok, I found a cdrom drive for 12 bucks. It would be easier to boot from a cdrom anyway.

[sjvarley]

13G hard drive 20 bucks.

[sjvarley]

so, for about $185, windows 2000 and boinc you could set up an scalable array of distributed computers for crunching.

[sjvarley]

Lose the case, save $50... 42 for the mb, 10 for the psu. Use 1 cdrom just to load the HD.. then you just image it. save another 12... I guess that puts us about $120.

[sjvarley]

ok, I found boincpe, which is basically bartpe for boinc. It also looks like you can boot from a usb key, so lose the hd, add in 6 bucks for a key. $106. No windows install, hd, monitor, keyboard, mouse, screen.

[asusradeon]

u never heard of edit ^^ ? lol

yeh, no hdds, just boot DSL on a 1gb usb memory stick should do it, no need for monitor etc, do it headless, through SSH

Other option is get some old xbox's load xebian onto em and SSH into em..

[jmorgan]

would be nice to have a write up on how to set up a configuration like this up

[redwraith94]

You could consider some sort of more advanced cooling mechanism too. Either water, or a whole house ac unit for just the closet should do.

Since that thing is 775 I would highly recommend going with a slow core 2 duo proc for them. Members, have gotten very good results ocing those things, with just stock cooling.

What kind of number crunching are you wanting to do, and how many of those things are you looking to buy?

[freakdiablo]

You could consider some sort of more advanced cooling mechanism too. Either water, or a whole house ac unit for just the closet should do.

Ya, possibly a loop with several cpu waterblocks with radiators in between and a big a** pump.

[Sam__]

Ya, possibly a loop with several cpu waterblocks with radiators in between and a big a** pump.

Sounds like a plan!! You could get a E2140 or 2160...there pretty low wattage....ur just get some really old pcs from people near you that dont want them any more and hook them up...but they wont be as fast as a 2140 so it depends on what you want....low $$$ or power....i say POWER!! lol

[freakdiablo]

Sounds like a plan!! You could get a E2140 or 2160...there pretty low wattage....ur just get some really old pcs from people near you that dont want them any more and hook them up...but they wont be as fast as a 2140 so it depends on what you want....low $$$ or power....i say POWER!! lol
I suppose if you could build a c2d system for cheap. mobo with onboard video, 40gb 5400rpm hdd, caseless, you get the idea.