AMD or Intel?

[blkhogan]

All fanboyism aside..... Is one brand more efficient @ crunching than the other? Heres why I ask... I am going to start upgrading the lower end rigs in my farm. The Celerons and eventually the P4. High power usage + low returns = FAIL! These new systems will be budget full time crunchers, no OS, onboard gfx... bare minimum. Low wattage cpu's w/ 1GB of memory, ran off a good quality 400w or smaller psu. What is my best bet?

 

[t77snapshot]

Well if your going budget then AMD!

 

[ChewyBrownSuga]

nothing that amd makes can touch the i7 in crunching

 

[blkhogan]

Well if your going budget then AMD!

By buget Im mean "most bang for the crunching buck" Not cost wise.

 

[vnl7]

maybe core i5 whit HT? could be good

 

[t77snapshot]

I hate to say it, but no matter what these type of topics always turn into fanboy wars.

 

[blkhogan]

maybe core i5 whit HT? could be good

So an i5 compared to an AMD clock for clock is more efficient?
edit:
Im trying not to get the flamewar going. Just some honest answers. I will make the final call, just getting info. Keep it nice guys. Please.

 

[PaulieG]

Core i7 920 is the most cost efficient cruncher ever, period. Considering the 4 virtual cores for a total of 8 crunching threads, it is just a crunching machine. Nothing touches it, trust me. Nothing from AMD nor any prior Intel chips.

 

[TheLaughingMan]

By buget Im mean "most bang for the crunching buck" Not cost wise.

I was just going to say that for you.

I will start with, I don't know cause I am currently not a cruncher. But you did say you are looking to upgrade several low power rigs. You may get better answers if you post their specs and how much you need to and/or all willing to change in them.

 

[Delta6326]

A i7 will crunch like crazy

 

[blkhogan]

Is the difference that great for the i7 over the highest output AMD X4 cpu?

 

[PaulieG]

Is the difference that great for the i7 over the highest output AMD X4 cpu?

Yes, very significant. See here:

http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=111026

 

[ChewyBrownSuga]

http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/showthread.php?t=105244

You can get an idea on how the i7 can crunch

 

[blkhogan]

Wow. That is a nice jump. So, I could really do this on a budget and build 1 good quality i7 cruncher to replace the 3 lowend systems I have?

edit:
Maybe something like this:

 

[TheLaughingMan]

I have no idea and I am not sure if this will help, but I think this chart is what you are looking for. It seems to be a little out of date though, as I only see the Phenom II 910 listed on the site. I will check for a better chart if this is kinda what you are looking to find.

http://boincstats.com/stats/host_cpu_stats.php?pr=wcg&teamid=&st=0&or=10

 

[blkhogan]

To bad the Xeons are so expensive. Just cant get myself to justify that buy.

 

[PaulieG]

To bad the Xeons are so expensive. Just cant get myself to justify that buy.

Unlike the s775 Xeons, I've found (by experience w/2 chips) that the 1366 Xeons are no better than the 920's in terms of low vcore or overclocking potential.

 

[TheLaughingMan]

I say go for it. If you can replace all 3 of the older ones with a single unit that will out perform them, it will use less power, take up less space, and require less plugs. And if it is in your budget for this upgrade, get the i7.

I also recommend doing whatever Paulieg says to do when it comes to crunching.

 

[blkhogan]

Ok. Im convinced. I am getting ready to bring 1 more X2 online this next week to 10 days, after that I will have the funds to get the i7 ordered. Hell. I might just replace the whole farm with 2 or 3 i7's. I have to support my boys at AMD though... they still own my game systems. Now we get down to the "tight ass" part of me. :shadedshu Can I do a good i7 for less than $450 to $500? Mobo, cpu, memory & psu? I have the cases, HDD's & gfx laying around already.

 

[[Ion]]

PSU, let's say $40 (Corsair CX400w)
Memory: $65: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231208&cm_re=ddr3-_-20-231-208-_-Product
Mobo: $100 AR: linky
CPU: $200 for an i7 if you have a Microcenter, otherwise, it's $280 from Newegg

 

[PaulieG]

Ok. Im convinced. I am getting ready to bring 2 more X2's online this next week to 10 days, after that I will have the funds to get the i7 ordered. Hell. I might just replace the whole farm with 2 or 3 i7's. I have to support my boys at AMD though... they still own my game systems. Now we get down to the "tight ass" part of me. :shadedshu Can I do a good i7 for less than $450 to $500? Mobo, cpu, memory & psu? I have the cases, HDD's & gfx laying around already.

Maybe a bit over $500, if you're thrifty. Used 920 for $200-$220. Decent board $180. 6GB ram at least $120.

 

[[Ion]]

Maybe a bit over $500, if you're thrifty. Used 920 for $200-$220. Decent board $180. 6GB ram at least $120.

what about the links I posted? WCG really doesn't need that much RAM, I ran my Q9400 with Win7 comfortably just doing WCG on 1gb, so 2gb should be enough for 8 threads

 

[blkhogan]

How about this? I have a new 600w psu laying here also.

 

[[Ion]]

1GB isn't enough for i7, you need at least 2GB for an OS and 8 threads of WCG. Also, ECS=shit, get a different mobo

 

[PaulieG]

I'd buy the 920, used. You'll save some cash. Buy a 3GB set of Crucial value DDR3. If you want an inexpensive board, get an Asrock x58 Extreme. Very good board.