Archive for March, 2009
DIY 16 core workstation part 3: Memory & Heatsinks
Posted by Ivan Bohannon in Computer Builds on March 18th, 2009
Kingston 1GB DDR2 ECC REG.
It was a little tricky finding the right memory for the Tyan S4980 motherboard. You have to make sure that you use ECC, Registered DDR2 DIMMs 400, 533 or 667 Mhz. If you buy memory that doesn’t say ECC and REGISTERED on the box it won’t work. You can use 1GB, 2GB or 4gB DIMMs, and you MUST install at least 2 DIMMs per CPU. Here’s a few part numbers I know work in the motherboard:
Heatsinks:
You have lots of options here, and a few snags. Since the CPU’s are spaced fairly close to each other, you will need compact ones. The 2U case fan cooled heat sinks fit nicely. The snag: there are 4″ and 3.5″ pitch versions. This is basically how far apart the mounting screws are spaced. The Tyan S4980 motherboard needs the 3.5″ pitch ones. See all figured out for you! Here are some good choices.
1. Dynatron F558 77mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler – Retail – $32.99
This CPU cooler comes with an unnecessary CPU support plate – the S4980 comes with them pre-installed. This is the one I purchased. Its noisy at full speed. This one won’t work in 2U cases.
2. Dynatron F661 60mm 2xBall CPU Cooler $24
This CPU is quieter on paper, doesn’t come with the CPU support plate, and its $9 cheaper. I should have bought this one. This one does work in 2U cases.
DIY 16 core workstation part 2: Processors
Posted by Ivan Bohannon in Computer Builds on March 18th, 2009
AMD Opteron 8347
As you read in part 1, we are building an AMD 16 core workstation, so we need to find four Opteron quad core processors.
Our Tyan S4980 motherboard only supports AMD “Barcelona” Opterons. Barcelona’s have two main product lines: the 23XX and 83XX. We want to avoid the 23XX for this build, because those quad core CPUs only support two in a single motherboard. Nice little hitch to avoid.
Note: AMD is now shipping “Shanghai” Opterons. These processors are faster, better (more expensive) and they don’t work in the Tyan S4980 motherboard we are using. Unfortunately, the Shanghai Opterons have the same 23XX and 83XX numbering scheme, so one more little caveat to be aware of.
8347 (1.9Ghz), 8350 (2 Ghz), 8354 (2.2 Ghz) , 8356 (2.4 Ghz) , 8358 (2.5 Ghz) , 8360 (2.6 Ghz).
There are also two high efficiency versions (these use 55W instead of 75W) of these chips which work just fine: 8346 HE (1.8 Ghz) and the 8347 HE (1.9 Ghz) . I used four 8347 HE in my build.
The least expensive Quad core opteron on New Egg is the 8346 HE. it runs $549 for the OEM packaging, which does NOT include any cooling.
Another option is to shop eBay for these cpu’s, you can find them for much less, but make sure to buy the right part numbers.
Oh before I forget..One last detail, make sure to use four identical CPUs. I don’t know if you can mix 8347 and 8347HE on the same motherboard. Good Luck!
D-Link DIR628 RangeBooster N Dual Band Router
Posted by Ivan Bohannon in Wireless Networking on March 18th, 2009
Frys had this wireless-n router on sale for $69 the other day. Great price. I bought two in hopes of being able to use one of them as a repeater to create a larger wireless network. For the record, this product doesn’t support that. Oh I tried to use the D-Link Quick Router Setup CD, it repeatedly crashes in nmrsbase.exe. I googled this filename and its the Network Magic setup app, D-Link must rebrand this application. The manual browser setup works fine. I really despise installation CDs.
