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Xeon DP/SP Hardware Guide/Discussion to Build Your Own System
- Thread starter nanofrog
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Awesomecake!
That fits right into some of my plans
lol, imagine the case you'd need to house all those drives? I bet some of them may be useful as external SATA ports.
This is one of the boards I've been interested in.
4x PCIe 16x lane slots, EEB, 12 DIMM slots, of goodness. MMM...tasty.
Unfortunately, ASUS hasn't yet posted it on their website, as the photo doesn't match.
I'm interested to find out if this board has OC capabilities.
It's also offered by provantage here, and the photo may be accurate.
They also have a SuperMicro board listed as well. Sort of an oddball layout wise.For all of the speculators:
When do you estimate it will be possible to acquire all of the necessary parts to assemble a complete system?
I'm on a huge 3D project (60 full cg shots) due in a month and my old two processor single core opteron is just not cutting it.
When do you estimate it will be possible to acquire all of the necessary parts to assemble a complete system?
I'm on a huge 3D project (60 full cg shots) due in a month and my old two processor single core opteron is just not cutting it.
At least 2.66. I want this thing to be easily faster than the current eight core if I spend the money at all. It's really a shame, because I'm really at my wits end trying to use this G4. I don't know what yet, but come May I'm buying something.
Skulltrail II is coming out soon, but there aren't many rumors concerning it. Fortunately there isn't a lot to guess about. As you might imagine it uses a DP board with DDR3, and will probably have some good overclocking options, especially now that it's memory doesn't run so hot inherently.
I also kind of feel like I'd begrudgingly buy one on the discount in May, but this direction is just so opposite of what I wanted that I don't want to reward them with my approval in monetary form.
There are plenty of cases for that, even a bunch of consumer oriented ones.
Cooler Master Stacker 831, CM Centurion 590 come to mind.
Sure, you have to use 4-in-3 modules, but that's something you*want* to do when we're talking that many disks
Somehow, I'm not sure you'll be able to pull it off before the due date.
Intel is supposed to formally release the parts on Mar. 29, and as of yet, haven't posted the 5500 or 3500 series parts on their website. Neither have board makers ASUS, Gigabyte, Intel, or SuperMicro.
My guess, will be a simultaneous release on the 29th or so, assuming no delays. (They've had enough time, so hopefully, there shouldn't be any).
If you have the time, as you do have the need, I'd search the web, and call vendors (e-tailers) that are listing the parts you need (CPU's and boards). Everything else is already available. Provantage lists the ASUS board listed as "IN STOCK", so call and confirm. Same with CPU's, as some might actually have stock, and are willing to sell it.
You can scale back the case perhaps. I've no idea what you need exactly, but I'd recommend sticking with a 1000W EPS PSU. Saves you from having to swap out PSU's, and has enough growth for peripherals. Make sure whatever you get, will fit the case, as these can get rather large. Particularly if you go beyond 1kW.
My case estimate was based on a full tower aluminum case by Lian Li. You don't have to go that route. (I figured people might want something that looks good, has great functionality/internal layout, and isn't made of plastic).
Beyond that, you'll have to make some serious decisions, and likely add a little more $$$ to swing 2x X5550's. Below that, you drop down to 1066MHz memory, so the E5520 has a good price/performance ratio, especially when you OC it. Stock isn't quite so wonderful, but it's still decent.
Another possibility, would be to go with a single processor, and add the 2nd at a later time. But I think you may be better served by getting both at the same time. Perhaps the E5540 (2.53GHz). It should outperform the 2.8 Octo '08 model stock, by a small margin. Agian, OC'ing parts increases performance, and that can make the E5520 more attractive cost wise.
OC'ing also bumps memory performance up.
The easiest parts are the top end, as they have unlocked multipliers. But you can still eek out a good deal from those that aren't. Up the BCLK frequency, and perhaps increase the voltages.On that note, an i7 920 has been listed on Geekbench in excess of 12,700. Far faster than the 2.8 Octo '08 model.
Might give you some idea of what's possible. 
Sorry, I'm talkin about Skulltrail 2.
So the same sort of price as 5400 boards with similar features were.
Oops.
Fixed that for you.
OK, so tack on $24USD.
NOW we're getting a little expensive
I keep reading that optical media is dead - why doesn't it die already?
Hmmm.. Skulltrail 2 hackintosh?? I love it!
Too bad the latest and greatest video cards would still be off limits, can you imagine a tri SLI 285 hackintosh??
Speaking to the case. What about the Lian Li 343? Plenty big, lots of fun to work with. This is one of my favorite builds (http://www.million-dollar-pc.com/systems-2008/lian-li/rainmaker/lian-li-343b-rainmaker.htm)... the guy lurks around here and I've seen him post a few times.
Too bad the latest and greatest video cards would still be off limits, can you imagine a tri SLI 285 hackintosh??
Speaking to the case. What about the Lian Li 343? Plenty big, lots of fun to work with. This is one of my favorite builds (http://www.million-dollar-pc.com/systems-2008/lian-li/rainmaker/lian-li-343b-rainmaker.htm)... the guy lurks around here and I've seen him post a few times.
Oops.
Fixed that for you.
OK, so tack on $24USD.
Oh, and don't forget $129 for Leopard and $79 for iLife.
Thanks, nanofrog, for compiling an estimated price list. As someone who has built all of his own computers (except notebooks and one Mini) since I purchased my Amiga 500, this route is definitely familiar.
I am seriously contemplating going the prebuilt route this go around and was set to pull the trigger on a new Mac Pro until yesterday's possible spec drop/price increase. I'm waiting for all of the benchmarking goodness before deciding between a new MacPro, a refurb of last year's model, or building my own. However, given your price estimates plus the ~$200 for software the BYO price is now hovering awfully close to $3000. Yes, you'll have some more flexibility in OCing, case configuration, and upgrading, but the additional $300 for the Mac Pro without any of the hackintosh hardware/driver/software upgrade hassle is tempting.
I'd be interested to hear what would be a good configuration (motherboard, cooling) to run an i7 920 OC'd to 4+ GHz, with FireWire, and how stable such a setup would be as a Hackintosh - if it would work well, it seems like it would be almost as fast and much less expensive than the Nehalem Mac Pros...
Decent sound output - no need for audiophile scrutiny or surround sound, but without static/interference from HDs and so forth like I get with my old laptop - is a must, also.
Lastly, could such a setup be run with retail OS X, with only a bootloader, like some netbooks are able to, or would it require an edited OS? Possible to have Apple Software Update safely usable? (Might be asking too much on the last one, but at least avoiding having to use hacked versions of the OS would be ideal.)
I might have a source for a good price for a used 2.8 Penryn Mac Pro, but Hackintoshes are getting more and more intriguing.
Decent sound output - no need for audiophile scrutiny or surround sound, but without static/interference from HDs and so forth like I get with my old laptop - is a must, also.
Lastly, could such a setup be run with retail OS X, with only a bootloader, like some netbooks are able to, or would it require an edited OS? Possible to have Apple Software Update safely usable? (Might be asking too much on the last one, but at least avoiding having to use hacked versions of the OS would be ideal.)
I might have a source for a good price for a used 2.8 Penryn Mac Pro, but Hackintoshes are getting more and more intriguing.
Mmmmmm. Motherboard porn.
Just a glimpse at what a dual socket Nehalem board will cost:
Asus Z8PE-D12X(ASMB4-IKVM)
CPU: Dual Socket LGA1366, QPI upto 6.4GT/s
Memory: 12 DIMM slots, Triple Channel, ECC/Reg/Unbuffered, Max Capacity 96GB(RDIMM)/ 24GB(UDIMM)
Slots: 4x PCI-Express x16 Slot(Support PCI-Express 2.0); 2x PCI-X 133/100MHz Slots
IDE/SATA: 1x ATA-100 Channel; 14x SATA2 Ports, Support RAID 0, 1, 5, 10
LAN: 2x Intel 82574L Fast Ethernet Controller
Form Factor: SSI EEB, 12 x 13 inch (similar to E-ATX)
Cost: $501.00
Fore firewire, add this card (3x Firewire 800 ports)
Funny how a measly $24 bucks can throw the best of plans to hell in a handbasket, isn't it?NOW we're getting a little expensive
I keep reading that optical media is dead - why doesn't it die already?
Dead. Yeah, right.
How else are we supposed to install an OS on an new, unused drive? Can't download it, and USB sticks are more expensive than a DVD. Perhaps the OS will be written directly to firmware on the board? I don't want to see that one...
Wait for it, "New and improved DOS v. 25.00.00.00.000.0"
I went with the Lian Li PC-V2010.
Found something interesting appearance wise, any way. PC-888
I figured each is on their own for OS(s).Oh, and don't forget $129 for Leopard and $79 for iLife.
Thanks, nanofrog, for compiling an estimated price list. As someone who has built all of his own computers (except notebooks and one Mini) since I purchased my Amiga 500, this route is definitely familiar.
I am seriously contemplating going the prebuilt route this go around and was set to pull the trigger on a new Mac Pro until yesterday's possible spec drop/price increase. I'm waiting for all of the benchmarking goodness before deciding between a new MacPro, a refurb of last year's model, or building my own. However, given your price estimates plus the ~$200 for software the BYO price is now hovering awfully close to $3000. Yes, you'll have some more flexibility in OCing, case configuration, and upgrading, but the additional $300 for the Mac Pro without any of the hackintosh hardware/driver/software upgrade hassle is tempting.
As per cost, it can vary greatly. Particularly for those who have parts lying around they can recycle. Even simple items like cables, mounts, keyboard, mouse,... The little things do add up.
But for what's listed, $2743 isn't bad by any means, especially if you OC it to the 3.8 - 4.0GHz range. Actually possible on air. I'd think you can certainly fit a keyboard, mouse, and OS for $550.
Given the pricing on the new MP's, building seems far more attractive these days.
What exactly do you need board wise?
There's numerous i7 boards available, so you just need to take a look at the specs, and determine what you need/want.
Audio is decent enough for the most part, and if you select a board with a legacy PCI slot or two, you can add in an inexpensive sound card.
I'd take a good look at both ASUS and Gigabyte's offerings. Plenty of reviews, many covering OC'ing as well. Certainly a less expensive alternative to the DP solutions. Not needing ECC can also save money, or for about the same, you can find good memory that OC's well. Perhaps a preferable way to go, as cheap memory may slow you down by limiting how high you can OC.
The ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 might be good one to take a look at, and the Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD5. Just enough to get you started I think, and similar pricing. Some good reviews available, and should come up easily in a search.
As for the Hack part, a retail copy and a bootloader should suffice. Updates have become easier, and shouldn't be too difficult, if at all.
I doubt we've even gotten started yet.
I built a "budget" Core i7 920 system for my daughter, running OS-X 10.5.6 using Retail Install method. Running great overclocked to 3.6ghz. Here's a link to my parts list:
Link my DIY i7 920 parts list
I had originally budgeted about $2200-2300 for the new iMac for her, but as time went on, I got fed up last month and built the system. Ended up spending less than $800 on it. Enough left over to buy her an LED Cinema display and an Apple video card with a mini display port connector.
Link my DIY i7 920 parts list
I had originally budgeted about $2200-2300 for the new iMac for her, but as time went on, I got fed up last month and built the system. Ended up spending less than $800 on it. Enough left over to buy her an LED Cinema display and an Apple video card with a mini display port connector.
Of course not!
Nor would anything else lying around that you can recycle. Keyboards and mice at least, and hopefully a monitor.
Nice system, especially for the money.
Major bargain compared to a new W3520 Quad core '09 MP.
Recycled parts: My wallet loves them dearly.
+1 on Vanilla + retail copy.
So far, I managed to get mine to 3.8GHz (stable). 3.9 started out OK, but decided to crap out on me. (Same cooler BTW).
Temps are hovering at 43C, though I still need to do some load testing and push it. I want to see how well this cooler will handle it, but I should have enough headroom to not have to panic.
How about your daughters system?
This is the board I've been waiting for from ASUS. (Skulltrail 2 equivalent, and given the original, they did better than Intel). Nice features typically, and this one doesn't seem to disappoint.
The only niggle (haven't quite read through it yet), might be the memory slots. (Assuming most won't be using greater than 2GB sticks in the Unbuffered flavor).
It would certainly help locating a less expensive case, as E-ATX/SSI EEB limits the choices. Most tend to be full towers, and aren't exactly cheap. The Lian Li A-70 is the least expensive model (street) I'm aware of for an all aluminum full tower case. I have a different Lian Li, and my experience with them, is that they're well made. Provides a lot of value for the $$ IMO, as it can be recycled for multiple systems. 10 yrs isn't all that bad...
(Avg. $20/yr? Oh Yeah..)Sorry for limiting the case manufacturer, but I don't care for LED's everywhere and lots of plastic, so I've so far avoided gaming cases. It looks too much like a cheap toy IMO.
newegg's offering quite a few (37) aluminum, no PSU, mid tower ATX cases.
Here. Prices vary greatly, but there's a few around the $100USD mark. (Others climb to the $300+ mark). Definitely worth taking a look.
This is the board I've been waiting for from ASUS. (Skulltrail 2 equivalent, and given the original, they did better than Intel). Nice features typically, and this one doesn't seem to disappoint.
Did any dual socket boards besides Skulltrail support (or even allow) overclocking of DP Xeons?