render machine

[riprod3]

Just a quick question on the best render machine. I can buy a Dual 2.4Ghz Xeon machine for about $700 less than a Dual 2.8Ghz Xeon machine. On a Ghz to $ ratio it's far better to go with the 2.4s but do the 2.8s or even the new 3.06s have anything extra that makes them much better render machines than the 2.4. Should I just be looking at the GHZ.

[WizCraker]

You might want to wait before you buy those Xeons, you might want to check out the Opteron's at AMD and here is a manufature that I recommend [as does AMD] http://www.xicomputer.com/products/Opteron.html

[riprod3]

how do these Opteron's compare to Intel Xeons. I see they are 64bit, will all my other apps run OK ? The prices and performance seam really good and I just want to make sure I'm not getting myself into trouble going to a new system.

[WizCraker]

Q: What is the AMD Opteron™ processor?

A: The AMD Opteron™ processor is the world’s first 64-bit server and workstation multiprocessor based on the industry-standard x86 instruction set architecture. It is also the highest performing 2P and 4P server processor in the 32-bit world.

By extending the x86 architecture to 64-bit computing, the AMD Opteron processor maintains complete compatibility with existing 32-bit operating systems, applications, and equipment. This enables simultaneous 32-bit and 64-bit computing, which protects the valuable investments in the existing IT infrastructure while allowing customers to migrate to more powerful 64-bit applications at their own pace.


Q: What markets are you targeting for the AMD Opteron processor? What commercial arenas are you targeting?

A: The AMD Opteron processor’s ability to simultaneously run x86-based 32- and 64-bit applications protects customers’ existing IT investments and eliminates barriers to 64-bit computing. The target markets for the AMD Opteron processor include global enterprises, small-medium businesses, and government/education institutions – both for 1-8 way server solutions and for 1-4 way workstation solutions. With its bigger L2 cache, large workload features and high-bandwidth HyperTransport™ technology links, the AMD Opteron processor is ideal for server customers who need faster database transactions or support for more users on e-commerce type applications. It’s also an excellent workstation processor for CAD, digital content creation and other applications that need quick graphics response.

Q: Who is supporting the AMD Opteron processor?

A: In addition to announcements by IBM and Fujitsu Siemens that they will offer products based on the AMD Opteron processor, AMD is working with hundreds of OEMs, server vendors, operating system and application developers, and infrastructure partners throughout the technology industry to support the AMD Opteron processor. More details are available at www.amd.com/athlon64andopteronnews (http://www.amd.com/athlon64andopteronnews).

Q: Which operating systems will support the AMD Opteron at launch?

A: AMD designed the AMD Opteron processor to run all x86-based operating systems, including 32-bit versions Microsoft® Windows® and Linux. SuSE Linux will have a 64-bit operating system for AMD Opteron processor-based servers at launch, and Microsoft recently announced the development schedule for 64-bit versions of Windows for server and PC computers. AMD expects all other major operating systems vendors will support the AMD Opteron processor, including Red Hat, United Linux, MandrakeSoft and Wasabi (NetBSD).

Q: What kinds of applications will benefit from the performance of the AMD Opteron processor?

A: The 128-bit-wide data paths of the AMD Opteron processor should run applications faster than traditional processors with only 32- or 64-bit-wide data paths.

Q: What software applications will be available for the AMD Opteron processor at launch?[b]

A: The universe of approximately 10,000 x86-based 32-bit applications will run natively on the AMD Opteron processor. Several other operating system and software vendors have announced their intention to develop 64-bit applications for the AMD Opteron processor.

[b]Q: Will the AMD Opteron processor be available in a single-processor version? Can the AMD Opteron processor be used in a configuration greater than 8P? How far can it scale?

A: AMD designed the AMD Opteron processor to directly support between 1 and 8 AMD Opteron processors in a glueless (that is, requiring no chipset support for external logic) multiprocessor configuration. A platform can support an unlimited number of AMD Opteron processors in a multi-way configuration with external/additional chipset support.

Q: How should customers interpret the AMD Opteron processor model numbers?

A: The AMD Opteron processor model numbers communicate the scalability of each series and the relative performance within that line. The first digit is the series number, which is the maximum number of processors supported in a system based on that processor. The last two digits of the model number help customers determine the relative performance of processors within each series. For example, an AMD Opteron processor Model 244 supports a system with a maximum of 2 processors and provides incremental performance improvement over an AMD Opteron processor Model 242.

Q: What chipsets will be available to support the AMD Opteron processor? What motherboards are in development?

A: The AMD-8000 series of chipsets is the core logic for the AMD Opteron processor. Key innovations in the AMD Opteron processor core include support for simultaneous, transparent 32-bit and 64-bit computing; a high-bandwidth integrated memory controller closely coupled with the microprocessor core; and a highly scalable system bus using HyperTransport technology with support for single- and multi-processor configurations. The AMD-8000 series of chipsets includes the AMD-8111™ HyperTransport technology I/O hub, the AMD-8131™ HyperTransport technology PCI-X tunnel, and the AMD-8151 HyperTransport technology AGP3.0 graphics tunnel.

Technology industry leaders ALi Corporation, ATI Technologies, NVIDIA®, Semtech, SiS Corp. and VIA have announced they will build chipsets based around these core logic components and HyperTransport technology. More than 20 leading motherboard partners have announced support for AMD’s next-generation processors.

Q: What are the differences between the AMD Opteron processor and the AMD Athlon™ 64 processor?

A: The primary difference between the AMD Opteron processor, for servers and workstations, and the upcoming AMD Athlon 64 processor, for desktop and mobile systems, is in the number of HyperTransport technology links embedded on the chip. The AMD Athlon 64 processor will contain one HyperTransport technology link offering 6.4 GB/s data transfer while the AMD Opteron processor offers three links. The processors may contain different amounts of cache depending on the configuration a customer chooses.

Q: When will AMD launch the AMD Athlon 64 processor?

A: AMD plans to extend the AMD64 architecture to desktop and mobile computing with the launch of the AMD Athlon 64 processor, expected to be the industry’s first and only 64-bit processor for mobile and desktop PCs, in September 2003. AMD designed the upcoming AMD Athlon 64 processor to deliver unparalleled technology and simultaneous 32-bit and 64-bit computing, so end users can be confident they have the best-performing PC processor.

If you are wondering what the price is for the Opteron starts at around $247 and ends around $936. Got these quotes from PriceWatch.com (http://www.pricewatch.com).

Newtek has stated that the System Requirements for the VT[3] is either a Xeon [32] or an Opteron [64], So my guess is that Newtek is implementing the instructions for AMDs Opteron in LW[8].

[Exper]

:p
I know this is a quite old thread but...

AMD Opteron™ - 3D Rendering Performance - Lightwave 3D 7.5
http://www.anandtech.com/cpu/showdoc.html?i=1818&p=11

Bye.

[maudib59]

Have you considered building a blade array for a render farm? It's a far, far more cost effective approach, and offers more bang for the buck. I have 16 render nodes that can render 30 frames an hour at 720x480 resolution at high antialiacing settings for under 7000.00 dollars, and that's with BNR software installed. Forget Xeon, go with cheaper AMD if all you plan to do is use the blades for LW. After a certain number of units in your render farm, It's not the individual CPU speed that counts, but the total number of nodes you have. So you only get the hardward that will do the job, no bells and whistles. Do the math and you'll see what i mean :)

[Exper]

maudib59... you're right!
But I think we was speaking about a desktop/workstation machine! ;)

Bye.