Advantage of a server board?

[satindemon4u]

So, server motherboards have two slots for processors, correct? If that's the case then is there any sort of advantage to using a board like that build a rig that will be just used for home and personal things? I don't think there is but have always been a little curious. As if I even had the money to act on it. But still the question remains for me haha. What's the word on this guys?

 

[Castiel]

Well not all server motherboards are the ones that have two CPU sockets, there have been several high-end motherboards that have been released over the past couple years that include two CPU sockets. Now if you are just doing simple tasks like email, web, and music then there is zero reason why you will need a dual socket motherboard. Normally people that want dual socket motherboards are for the processing power that two CPU's can give. Especially for software that mainly use the CPU's to handle its tasks, when you have two then your execution time is cut in half. Servers use dual CPU's to handle all the tasks because normally servers handle so many tasks that are coming from multiple users. So there are many reasons why you would need dual CPU's, and it really matters what you will be doing.

 

[BUCK NASTY]

Some server boards have as many as 4 CPU's(4P). There is a complicated architecture within the board that breaks the CPU's into separate nodes. From a non-enterprise application, a 2P or 4P board has excellent potential for Distributed Computing applications(F@H & WCG). Other than applying a large workload to the machine, I see no reason for a server board to be used in a non-enterprise application.

 

[Aquinus]

A multi-CPU rig won't be any faster than a regular rig for doing regular tasks. The time that multi-CPU systems shine are under heavy parallel workloads, F@H, or WCG w/ BOINC.

 

[satindemon4u]

Well, personally the "heaviest" load that I myself would put it under would be gaming and rarely video editing. So I doubt someone like myself would need it. Like I said I was just curious and have always wondered if there was any true gain to an everyday user like myself. I didn't think there was since it's not everyday that you see someone showing off there rig that has two CPU sockets and they use it to play pinball haha! Thanks all, good info.

 

[Mindweaver]

Don't forget about redundancy, but for home use I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[satindemon4u]

Yeah I didn't think so. However looking at them I wish I had some practical use for a server. Looks like it could be fun beefing one up, ya know?

 

[rtwjunkie]

oh, but there IS a practical use for a home server, since you mentioned it! It's a central repository for all your data. You can have copies of all your programs if you have multiple devices. It can do daily backups for you. You can store pictures and songs and movies, and stream them from the server to other devices. Use it as a gameserver even. The possibilities are endless!

 

[Solaris17]

It seems great on paper played with it myself actually on an old 771 xeon rig. Only useful for heavy computing. Not to mention if you are going true server grade board you need the CPUs for them which btw are $$$$$$$$ because server boards are ALOT more picky about CPUs and you cannot mix and match. you need a matching pair of specific chips; specifically ones with multiple QPI links (intel) and those xeons are not cheap.

Here is the standard list of xeon chips that support dual socket boards. Also note. consumer CPUs will not work in dual socket boards unless you run something like EVGA bipostar etc customs like the old scull trail. Also note these boards only take the xeon family. no 4770k for you. also the prices are listed. remember x2

http://ark.intel.com/products/series/75291

 

[satindemon4u]

Holy mother of expensive. Had no idea the chips were that much because I had never looked into them. Maybe one day if I am making like 6 digits or something then I can make a pretty nice server. Until then though, looks like I am waiting. Have built a little "server" just running linux and basically...sitting.

 

[BUCK NASTY]

oh, but there IS a practical use for a home server, since you mentioned it! It's a central repository for all your data. You can have copies of all your programs if you have multiple devices. It can do daily backups for you. You can store pictures and songs and movies, and stream them from the server to other devices. Use it as a gameserver even. The possibilities are endless!

He's referring to Multi CPU servers. A home server can be run by mostly any type of rig capable of the media type you want to serve.

 

[kn00tcn]

pretty much only useful if your daily use needs all the cores it can get, such as 3d rendering that's not done on the gpu... which is almost every renderer

 

[rtwjunkie]

He's referring to Multi CPU servers. A home server can be run by mostly any type of rig capable of the media type you want to serve.

Ohhh...I knew he was, but then he finally just said "I wish I had some practical use for a server". I figured I'd just name a few uses for him.

 

[newtekie1]

It should also be mentioned that since stability is a key factor in servers most server motherboards offer no ability to over clock.

 

[rtwjunkie]

It should also be mentioned that since stability is a key factor in servers most server motherboards offer no ability to over clock.

Yep, found that out the hard way when I built mine 3 years ago, LOL. Turns out I didn't need too overclock....it did everything I wanted, including multiple tasks simultaneously and has been rock-solid 24/7! Thank goodness for stability.

 

[BUCK NASTY]

Yep, found that out the hard way when I built mine 3 years ago, LOL. Turns out I didn't need too overclock....it did everything I wanted, including multiple tasks simultaneously and has been rock-solid 24/7! Thank goodness for stability.

The real game is trying to overclock and maintain stability, as the productivity scales accordingly . Best I've achieved is 13% on a 4P board. Not bad for 48 cores @ 2.83Ghz.

 

[rtwjunkie]

Best I've achieved is 13% on a 4P board. Not bad for 48 cores @ 2.83Ghz.

Now I'm jealous....even that 13% isn't too shabby.

 

[Solaris17]

Now I'm jealous....even that 13% isn't too shabby.

iirc it was quite a feat.

 

[de.das.dude]

if you dont need that many threads.... its not worth it.

but i do know some here has a board with 4 opeterons on it XD

 

[BUCK NASTY]

but i do know some here has a board with 4 opeterons on it XD

There are some that have 2x boards with 4x Opteron's

 

[micropage7]

if you dont need that many threads.... its not worth it.

but i do know some here has a board with 4 opeterons on it XD

if just for daily needs you wont get any advantage of it except maybe you want to show off
**imagine dual processor with Phanteks PH-TC14PE, 32 gb rams**

 

[Nordic]

Any computer is welcome for boinc/folding. We have boinc crunching and folding teams here on tpu.

Buck, I think this needs a picture of one of your 4p systems for reference.

 

[Morgoth]

i got my mainboard and xeons from ebay cheapes price i can find for used items
tough i do gaming and game design, its a nice beast that makes my work flow faster
programs i use Keyshot 4, autodesk 3ds max. adobe photoshop 6, Valve Hammer, VTF edit,
some times i only run a test server

E5520 Xeons for around 150 euro 2.20ghz tough its bottlenecking my hd5970 when it comes to gaming but its a beast when all 16 threads are used

 

[BUCK NASTY]

Buck, I think this needs a picture of one of your 4p systems for reference.

LOL.

 

[Frick]

Oh that is beautiful. I want one on my wall.