How to Build a Cheap 128 Core Server for a Chess Super Computer.

charlitosway

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May 13, 2016
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Hi.

I am trying to solve/write chess books and I am trying to build a special super computer/server to put positions to the software. The software runs chess engines with up to 128 cores.

I wanted to know if you guys could recommend a place I could find/build a server cheaply for those amount of cores.

I found a place called savemyserver.com, I dont think it will be cheaper than that, but if you know where please suggest/mention.

Thanks!!
 

Matt C

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Jul 31, 2012
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Either find cloud services, or if you have the budget build your own.. Ryzen Threadripper is likely less cost per core.. You'll need to likely have a host + compute nodes if you want 128 cores (could it be 64 cores with hyper-threading?)

What's your budget is really what it comes down to.
 

charlitosway

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May 13, 2016
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the problem with AWS is that its $10 per hour for 128 cores. at 100 hours that comes out to $1000.
I could get a 128 core server (factory refurbished) for less than $3000. So I was looking for places where I could buy this stuff.
 

Matt C

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Jul 31, 2012
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Be cautious as to what that $3,000 gets you. Does it include storage? How old is the architecture (does that matter? would it be more efficient with newer hardware and less cores, etc...)
 

kanewolf

Titan
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This statement says that a cluster is acceptable. That is different than 128 cores in a host. You could use Raspberry PI 3s in cluster to get 128 cores. You need networking in addition to hosts with a cluster implementation