Hello all,

I have some questions about specs for network rendering nodes. . .

We’re at the point where we need to add some network rendering capacity.  The first step, of course, is to setup all our workstations for net rendering after-hours.  But we also are interested in buying some dedicated render nodes for use during working hours as well.  Unfortunately, we don’t have a big budget for this right now.  We have to start small and hopefully the additional utility will make it easier to sell the financial folks on getting more in the future.

Given about $3000 to spend, I passed over system from places like Boxxtech (awesome looking, but too expensive) and other dedicated builders.  I configured some Dell servers that look like they would work though. Here’s the dilemma:  I can get a server with Dual Quad Core Opteron 2378 (2.4 Ghz) CPUS for about $1400.  Or I can get one with Dual Intel Xeon E5530 (2.4 Ghz) for about $2900.  Now I know that clock-for-clock, the Xeons should be faster.  But the system costs a little over twice as much, and I doubt they are they twice as fast.  Would we be better off to get two of the cheaper servers?

Anybody have any thoughts? Any reasons why these Dells may not be suitable? Or any recommendations on something else to consider?

Thanks for any responses!

Brian

you don’t need dedicated servers. just get 3 workstations with and i7 920 and 6GB-12GB ddr3 triple channel ram, with a new CPU fan that is better than the intel stock fan, you don’t need a graphics card just make sure the motherboard has a display adaptor or just a very very cheap graphics card (example nvidia 210 (512mb) for $50), 500GB and windows 7 x64, you should be able to get 3 systems for $1000 each or just over, plus they can then be used as workstations if you expand your team. to me thats much more render power and flexibitly to use as a workstation than trying to get one or 2 servers

Max 2009 64 Sp1 + Max 2010 64 Sp1 (OS - Xp64)
Sys1:Q6600,8GB Ram,BFG 8800GTX(768mb)
Sys2:QX9650,8GB Ram,BFG GTX 285 OC2(1GB)

companioncube totally nailed it.

EoDEo

Ideas drift like petals on the wind. You have only to lift your face to the breeze.