New build for data analysis- ArcGIS, MATLAB, SAS, LabView, etc. Advice wanted.

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yc1793

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Sep 4, 2015
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Good morning,

I'm planning to build a computer for data analysis for a research lab. Primary analysis programs include ArcGIS, MATLAB, and SAS. It will also be used for development in LabView. Plus some web browsing, iTunes, Microsoft Office, etc. No gaming at all.

My total budget is $2000, although I'd prefer to stay under $1600 if possible. I've put together a configuration at pcpartpicker: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/zB9LRB

To summarize here:
Intel Core i7-4790 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor
Gigabyte GA-Z97X-UD3H-BK ATX LGA1150 Motherboard
Kingston HyperX Beast 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory
Samsung 850 Pro Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive
Western Digital BLACK SERIES 4TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive x2
PNY Quadro K2000D 2GB Video Card
Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case
Corsair RM 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply
Asus BW-12B1ST/BLK/G/AS Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer

The SSD will be used for the OS (Windows 7 Pro), and the two HDD's will be set up in Raid 1 for data.

Any input or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.
 


yc1793,

In consideration of the use which is highly calculation intensive, uses custom algorithms that may be highly multi-threaded, and the probabillity of very long calculation periodicity under which large data sets have to be given proper sequence, structure, and retention, the proposed system requires a substantial good core count, a reasonable clock speed, wide memory bandwidth, and high double precision. The configuration is affected by dataset size and filters- ARCGIS, calgorithms and processes / sequences, MATLAB. IIn combination, the system needs to be very stable and reliable with a lot of memory, and a fast disk system - server-like robustness and precision.

This is not a system for which to use LGA1150 which is limited to 4-core CPU's, 16PCIe lanes which limited peripherals, and a maximum of 32GB of RAM. Instead, and LGA2011-3 > ECC RAM > Quadro / Firepro GPU is indicated. A quite compentent, reliable system is possible near the budget:

If the preference is for new components:

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1. CPU: Intel Xeon E5-1650 v3 Six-Core Processor 3.5 / 3.8GHz 0GT/s 15MB LGA 2011-v3 CPU> $565 (Passmark CPU score = 13440)

http://ark.intel.com/products/82765/Intel-Xeon-Processor-E5-1650-v3-15M-Cache-3_50-GHz

http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=E51650V3BX

2. Cooling: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO CPU cooler > $31.

3. Motherboard: ASRock X99 EXTREME4 LGA2011-v3/ Intel X99/ DDR4/ Quad CrossFireX & Quad SLI/ SATA3&USB3.0/ M.2/ A&GbE/ ATX Motherboard > $194

http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=MB-X99EXM4

4. Memory: 16GB (2X 8GB) Samsung DDR4-2133 8GB/1Gx72 ECC/REG CL15 Server Memory > $200 ($100 each)

http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=D4218G4S1

5. GPU: PNY NVIDIA Quadro K1200 4GB GDDR5 4 Mini DisplayPorts Low Profile PCI-Express Video Card > $302

http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=PNY-1200DP

6. GPU coprocessor: Tesla M2090 6GB> Used $125

http://www.nvidia.com/docs/IO/43395/tesla-m2090-board-specifications.pdf

http://www.nvidia.com/object/tesla-servers.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nvidia_Tesla

http://www.techpowerup.com/145914/new-nvidia-tesla-gpu-smashes-world-record-in-scientific-computation.html

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NVIDIA-Tesla-M2090-6GB-GDDR5-PCIe-x16-GPU-Computing-Processor-Video-Card-/231656449337?hash=item35efcce539

7. Drive 1: SAMSUNG 850 EVO MZ-75E250B/AM 2.5" 250GB SATA III 3-D Vertical Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) > $100 (OS, applications, working files)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147372&cm_re=Samsung_850_EVO-_-20-147-372-_-Product

8. Drives 2,3: 2X WD BLACK SERIES WD2003FZEX 2TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive> $234 ($118 ea (Files, Backup, System Image)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA6AH20Y2869&cm_re=Wd_Black-_-22-236-624-_-Product

9. Power Supply: SeaSonic S12G S12G-650 650W ATX12V / EPS12V 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Active PFC Power Supply > $90

http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=PS-S12G650

10. Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE 24X SATA DVD±RW Internal Drive w/o Software (Black) SH-224DB $17.99

11. Case: Cooler Master Silencio 652S - Silent Mid Tower Computer Case with Sound Dampening Panels, Three Silencio FP 120 Fans, and Multiple Removable Air Filters > $120

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119303&ignorebbr=1

12. OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64-bit w/ SP1 (1-Pack, DVD), OEM MSFQC04649 > $138.99

________________________________________________________

TOTAL = $ 2,000

This system is based on the CPU that I believe to have the best cost /performance ratio of any current Xeon- the E5-1650 v3 and which provides 40 PCIe lanes to accommodate a used Tesla M2090 co-processor that adds 6GB of 384-bit and 512 additional CUDA cores and a high level of double precision. These are good value: used $125, new, $2,600 and these were made precisely for these uses- custom algorithmic processing. The motherboard is X99 chipset which extracts a high CPU performance.

The component balance can be change of course and instead of the Tesla M2090, put that cost into the 2X WD 4TB drives. The onboard RAID could be used initially and that could fund 32GB RAM or have a used Quadro K2200 instead of K1200. There are a lot of possible variants.

What this system doesn't have is 32or 64GB RAM, 2X 4TB HD's and a good hardware RAID controller, which I feel is very important, but the performance in the intended applications should be quite good and in the range of the optimal system for the budget.

The next step is a dual CPU system based on a proper workstation motherboard and this is an earlier concept to demonstrate the size of the jump in cost to make this worthwhile:

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1.8.15

CPU: (2) Intel Xeon Processor E5-2637 v3 :15M Cache, 3.5/3.7 GHz, 4-core @ 3.4 / 3.7 Ghz, 20MB, 135W > $2,000 ($1,000 ea)

http://ark.intel.com/products/83358
http://www.superbiiz.com/query.php?s=E5-2637+v3+

OR> Probably better for this use:

2X E5-2640 v3 (8-core @ 2.6 / 3.4, DDR4-1866) > $1,900 ($950 each)

http://ark.intel.com/products/83359

CPU Cooler: (2) Cooler Master Seidon 120XL RL-S12X-24PK-R1 120mm CPU Liquid Cooling System > $160 ($79 ea.)

http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=FAN-RLS12X

Motherboard: Supermicro X10DAi > $400

http://www.supermicro.com/products/motherboard/Xeon/C600/X10DAi.cfm
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813182938&cm_re=Supermicro_X10DAi-_-13-182-938-_-Product

Memory: 32GB (4x 8GB) Samsung DDR4-2133 8GB/1Gx72 ECC/REG CL15 Server Memory > $456 ($114ea.)

http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=D4218G4S1

GPU: PNY NVIDIA Quadro K2200 4GB GDDR5 DVI/2DisplayPorts PCI-Express Video Card > $459.

http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=PNY-K2200

GPU Coprocessor: Tesla M2090 6GB > Used $125

RAID Controller : LSI MegaRAID SAS 9341-4i (LSI00419) PCI-Express 3.0 x8 Low Profile SATA / SAS High Performance Four-Port 12Gb/s RAID Controller (Single Pack)--Avago Technologies > $175

Disk 1: SAMSUNG 850 PRO MZ-7KE512BW 2.5" 512GB SATA III Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) > $292.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147361&cm_re=samsung_850_512gb-_-20-147-361-_-Product

Disks 2, 3, and 4: Seagate Constellation ES.2 ST33000650SS 3TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SAS 6Gb/s 3.5" Enterprise Internal Hard Drive Bare Drive> $810 ($270 ea.)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822178296
Optical Disk: LG Black 16x Blu-Ray BDXL SATA Internal rewriter with 3D Playback, Model BH16NS40 > $100

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136264

Power Supply: SeaSonic X Series X-850 (SS-850KM3 Active PFC F3) 850W ATX12V v2.3 / EPS 12V v2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Full Modular Active PFC Power Supply> $150.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151102

Case: LIAN LI PC-A75 Black Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case > $181

http://www.superbiiz.com/query.php?s=LIAN+LI+PC-A75+

Fan Controller: NZXT Sentry-2 5.25" Touch Screen Fan Controller > $23.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811992005&cm_re=fan_controller-_-11-992-005-_-Product

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit English (1-Pack), OEM > $139.

http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=MSFQC08289
_______________________________________

TOTAL = $5300-5400

Another way to accomplish a specification with a lot of CPU threads and RAM but at lower cost than above is to use depreciated but still very capable CPU's. Here is a system based on the excellent Xeon LGA1366 5600-series 6-cores. This uses a new Supermico Superworkstation which is assembled and configured such that only the CPU, RAM, GPIU, and drives need be plugged, saving a lot of decisions and assembly. Here's an earlier idea for this approach:

BambiBoom CalcuCannon Cadasimulicious iWork TurboSignature Extreme ModelBlast 9800 ®©$$™®£™©™_6.28.15

1. Supermicro SuperWorkstation SYS-7036A-T Dual LGA1366 Xeon Mid-Tower Workstation Barebone System (Black) > $658 (Includes case, motherboard, power supply, heatsink, fans)

http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=SY-736AT

2. CPU: 2X Xeon X5690 (6-core @ 3.47 / 3.73GHz) > about $500 ($250 each)

3. Memory: 48GB (6X 8GB) DDR3 1333 ECC Registered > about $200

4. GPU: PNY NVIDIA Quadro K2200 4GB GDDR5 PCIe Graphics Card ) > Used about $350

5. RAID Controller : LSI MegaRAID SAS 9341-4i (LSI00419) PCI-Express 3.0 x8 Low Profile SATA / SAS High Performance Four-Port 12Gb/s RAID Controller (Single Pack)--Avago Technologies > $175

6. Disk 1: SAMSUNG 850 EVO 250GB 2.5" 512GB SATA III Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) > $100.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147361&cm_re=samsung_850_512gb-_-20-147-361-_-Product

7. Drive 2, 3: Western Digital Black 2 TB SATA III 7200 RPM 64 MB Cache Bulk/OEM Desktop Hard Drive, Black, WD2003FZEX> $246 ($123 each (Files, Backup, System Image)

8. Optical Disk: SAMSUNG DVD Burner 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 24X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM SATA Model SH-224DB/BEBE - OEM > $18

TOTAL = $2,247 This could be done with a single CPU and 24GB RAM for about $1900 or so. Later, add, the 2nd CPU, more RAM- it can use up to 96GB- and a Tesla co-processor.

There is a middle ground which I feel would have the best cost / performance and future expandability of all, which is to buy a used "barebones" or low specification high quality workstation system:

1. The Dell Precision T7500 is dual CPU capable can use up to 192GB of DDR3-1333, 2X 200W GPU, having plenty of PCIe lanes and 1100W server-grade PSU. The distinct advantage of this generation is that it can take advantage of completely depreciated CPU's like the excellent Xeon X5690 6-core @ 3.47 / 3.73GHz- which are now $250 instead of the original $1,650. The T7500 has a, and etc. A complete, working, low specification system can cost less than $300. I've had very good results with a T5500 purchased for $171 and spending about $800 in upgrades- see the 2. System listed at the end of the post.

2. Dell Precision T3610 can use Xeon E5 v2 up to 18-core, up to 64GB DDR3 1866 ECC RAM and equip it with a 6 or 8-core core Xeon E5-1600 series CPU- a second to added later, 32GB - to become 64 later, a used Quadro K2200, and Tesla M2090.

3. Dell Precision T5610> For example:

DELL PRECISION T5610 Barebone Workstation ! Build your own System !! > $295

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DELL-PRECISION-T5610-Barebone-Workstation-Build-your-own-System-/321680862904?hash=item4ae5ac6eb8

[Dual E5-2600, 128GB 1866 ECC RAM , 685W or 825W PSU]

2X E5-2630 (6-core @ 2.6 /3.1GHz) about $1,100 (12-cores /24Threads]

64GB DDR3-1866ECC (about $500)

Quadro K2200 (4GB) (Used about $350)

LSI 9260-4i RAID controller (Used about $160)

Samsung 850 EVO 250GB > $100

2X WD Black 4TB > $400
________________________________

Total = about $2810

But this could be done with a single CPU, 32GB RAM for about $2050.

If these alternatives are interesting, we can discuss them. On balance the new E5-1650 v3 system is probably the best idea and secondly, an all-out Precision T7500 with dual Xeon X5690's (6-core @ 3.47 / 3.73GHz, Passmark = 14358), Quadro K1200, Tesla M2090, 6GB/s RAID controller and etc.

Sorry for such a very long post. An interesting project and challenge. I'm very curious about ArcGIS. Can you say something about the kind of projects you're doing?

Cheers,

BambiBoom

1. HP z420 (2015) > Xeon E5-1660 v2 six-core @ 3.7 / 4.0GHz > 32GB DDR3 ECC 1866 RAM > Quadro K4200 (4GB) > Intel 730 480GB (9SSDSC2BP480G4R5) > Western Digital Black WD1003FZEX 1TB> M-Audio 192 sound card > 600W PSU> Logitech z2300 > Linksys AE3000 USB WiFi > 2X Dell Ultrasharp U2715H (2560 X 1440) > Windows 7 Professional 64 >
[ Passmark Rating = 5064 > CPU= 13989 / 2D= 819 / 3D= 4596 / Mem= 2772 / Disk= 4555] [Cinebench R15 > CPU = 1014 OpenGL= 126.59 FPS] 7.8.15

Pending upgrade: HP /LSI 9212-4i PCIe SAS /SATA HBA RAID controller, 2X Seagate Constellation ES.3 1TB (RAID 1)

2. Dell Precision T5500 (2011) > Xeon X5680 six -core @ 3.33 / 3.6GHz, 24GB DDR3 ECC 1333 > Quadro K2200 (4GB ) > Samsung 840 250GB / WD RE4 Enterprise 1TB > M-Audio 192 sound card > Linksys WMP600N PCI WiFi > 875W PSU > Windows 7 Professional 64> HP 2711x (1920 X 1080)
[ Passmark system rating = 3490 / CPU = 9178 / 2D= 685 / 3D= 3566 / Mem= 1865 / Disk= 2122] [Cinebench 15 > CPU = 772 OpenGL= 99.72 FPS] 7.8.15

 
bambiboom- thanks for the very thorough answer. Don't apologize for the length- it's a lot of very useful information.

To tell you more about my application- I am a faculty member at a small regional university. Much of the work I do involved tracking animal movements using a variety of techniques, from basic mark-recapture up through more complex telemetry systems.

Once thing I've been considering is ease of purchasing. This will be purchased by the university, and we have some relatively restrictive purchasing restrictions. Among other restrictions and lengthy processes, used equipment is likely out of the question for most components, although I could purchase a used Tesla on my own and add it to the build after purchasing everything else through the university, if the benefits of the Tesla are worth it. Additionally, some of the restrictions may make purchasing individual components quite a bit more difficult than a pre-built system. Not impossible, but more difficult.

I like the first option you mentioned, based on the E5-1650. I'm going to look into those components a bit more and will be be back with more questions soon, I'm sure.

I've also considered going with a new Dell system, like a T5810, but the price adds up fast. Of course, the convenience and ease of purchasing might be worth some extra cost (if I can find the extra $ in the budget). Here's one configuration I was considering for a new Dell T5810:
-Dell Precision Tower 5810
-Intel® Xeon® Processor E5-1650 v3 (6C, 3.5GHz, Turbo, HT, 15M, 140W)
-NVIDIA® Quadro® K2200 4GB (2 DP, DL-DVI-I) (1 DP to SL-DVI adapter)
-32GB (4x8GB) 2133MHz DDR4 RDIMM ECC
-Boot drive: 1 x 256GB Dell 4*Drive PCIe x16 M.2 Solid State Drive Card (boot)
-8x Slimline DVD-ROM Drive
-LSI 9361-8i 12Gb/s SATA/SAS PCIe hardware RAID controller - HW RAID 0,1,5,10
That comes out to ~$3500, and I would add 2x WD 2-4 TB drives purchase separately, so another couple hundred dollars.
Any thoughts on that configuration, and value for price?
 
I was putting together the parts list for that first build you listed on PCPartPicker, and it states that the Cooler Master Silencio 652S ATX Mid Tower Case isn't compatible with the PNY Quadro K1200 4GB Video Card. Also that 1 additional case half expansion slot is needed.

It is compatible if I replace the K1200 with a K2200.
 


yc1793,

It's quite typical for institutions to have a set of requirements for purchasing and this is with consideration for a single warranty support. I've been in contact with many architectural and engineering firms and none will consider building a system and many will not modify a system in that it will void the warranty. Likewise, the makers of sophisticated software may refuse support if the systems do not use tested hardware or configurations. Autodesk can be fussy in this way - if the program is unstable -they point to the GPU or CPU overclocking. Dessault (Solidworks and Catia) are very specific too.

A Dell T5810 with an E5-1650 v3 and Quadro K2200 should be very good. I've had very good performance and perfect reliability with both E5-1620 and E5-1660 v2. The cost /performance of the E5-1600 series is difficult to improve upon and that is the same for the Quadro K2200. I would have specified the K2200 except it took the proposed system over the budget. It's interesting too to compare as the suggested assembled system and proprietary system should have similarities in performance but the price difference, reflective of the development and support costs, becomes very apparent.

I had a quick look at test results on Passmark and there are 10 systems using the E5-1650 v3 and Quadro K2200. Of these 5 are HP z440's, two are Dell Precision T5810's, one Lenovo Thinkstation P500, one on an MSI X99 motheroard, and one mysterious one.

The top scores in each category:

Rating: Lenovo Thinkstation P500 =5447. Mystery = 5218, HP z440 = 5150, z440 =5057 , MSI X99= 4693, Precision T5810 = 4645 , z440 = 4381, z440 = 3220, T5810 = 2989

CPU: MSI X99 =14262, Mystery = 14219, T5810 = 13861, z440 = 13711
2D: 1001 (Mystery), z440= 973 , Thinkstation P500 = 959, MSI = 902
3D: z440 = 3587, z440 = 3559, z440 = 3527
Mem: MSI = 2804 (32GB), P500 = 2705 (32GB),
Disk: z440 = 7487 (Samsung XP941 M.2), P500 = 7311 (Samsung XP941 M.2), z440 = 6241 (Samsung XP941 M.2). __T5810 = 4980 (Samsung 850 EVO)

I think this does chart the effectiveness of the X99 chipset and also the superiority of the M.2 SSD. there are not enough samples, but it does appear that the HP z440 may be a bit faster than the T5810. If so, this would be a reversal of the trend between HP z-series and Precisions.

For comparison, this the performance of my HP z420 (2015) when it used a K2200:

Xeon E5-1660 v2 six-core @ 3.7 / 4.0GHz > 16 DDR3 ECC 1866 RAM > Quadro K2200 (4GB) > Intel 730 480GB (9SSDSC2BP480G4R5) > Western Digital Black WD1003FZEX 1TB> M-Audio 192 sound card > 600W PSU> Logitech z2300 > Linksys AE3000 USB WiFi > 2X Dell Ultrasharp U2715H (2560 X 1440) > Windows 7 Professional 64 >

[ Passmark Rating = 4918 > CPU= 13941 / 2D= 823 / 3D= 3463 / Mem= 2668 / Disk= 4764

With Quadro K4200:
[ Passmark Rating = 5064 > CPU= 13989 / 2D= 819 / 3D= 4596 / Mem= 2772 / Disk= 4555] [Cinebench R15 > CPU = 1014 OpenGL= 126.59 FPS] 7.8.15

I currently have three Precisions: 390, T5400, and T5500 and two HP z420's and feel that the Precisions are better build quality, better support, and retain their value better. However, the z440's are quieter and performance, particularly since X99 is very good. Lower noise is a important positive feature of proprietary workstations.

On the subject of GPU's, be aware that in a few days- 10 September '15 -there will two new Quadros, the M4000 and M5000, both 8GB. The M4000 has a Maxwell GPU and 1,644 CUDA cores and there have been comments that performance may approach the K6000 (12GB) which started as a $5,000 GPU. I'm not sure about a competition with a K6000, but for $900, the M4000 is still likely to best a K5200 (8GB) which is $1,800. However, a K2200 and Tesla combination may deliver more double precision per $.

I'm a bit mystified about the Cooler Master case listing in the suggested system as it should have included the case I often specify for this kind of use:

Case: LIAN LI PC-A75 Black Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case > $181

In this kind of use- possible continuous operation- it's preferable to have good air circulation and plenty of room to assemble, I like a full tower case. I also like very somber looking and quiet cases as I don't like visual or aural distractions.

If the assembled system is still a possibility and the budget somewhat flexible, I might propose one or two other motherboard ideas. Also, whether assembled or proprietary, if an X99 chipset is used, an M.2 SSD would have noticeable performance advantages and prices are becoming reasonable. I have a sense of very large datasets in which disk speed would be important.

Certainly, if I can help with your project, let me know.

Cheers,

BambiBoom

My motto: "Why use just one word when twenty will do just as well?"

 
Thanks, BambiBoom. Assuming I were to go with a T5810 or P500, I should be able to add a Tesla later, right?
 


yc1793,

Yes, both the T5810 and P500 have two PCIe x16 slots- to accommodate two PCIe 3.0 X16 graphics cards. The Tesla co-processing cards are seen by the system as a graphics card and can be added at any time.

There is a power sonsideration. Workstations usually have two 6-pin supplemental power connectors plus a couple of Molex connectors- the big white 3 pin ones. One model, the C2075 had 6GB, 448 CUDA cores, and a DVI display output to run a monitor. I see in the manual for the M2090 that it uses 225W and therefore needs two 6-pin connectors or one 8-pin:

see Pg 6: http://www.nvidia.com/docs/io/43395/tesla-m2090-board-specification.pdf

So, one 6-pin connector goes to the display GPU- the K2200- and then add a Molex to 8-pin adapter to two of the spare Molex connectors:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/15cm-IDE-4-pin-molex-to-8-pin-PCI-Express-Video-Card-Power-Cable-Adapter-/121675232005?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_2&hash=item1c5468b305

or if there are three 6-pin connectors already it's all set.

Diversion: [GPU processing is becoming very important and I see a time when CPU's will be become more or less "GPU controllers". The fastest supercomputers in the World use thousands of Teslas or Xeon Phi's in parallel. There's a way to have a taste of this at home:

Supermicro GPU SuperWorkstation 7048GR-TR > about $1,900

http://www.supermicro.com/products/system/4U/7048/SYS-7048GR-TR.cfm

And with 80 PCIe lanes courtesy of the dual Xeon E5-2600 series, this system could have 36 cores / 72 threads, 1TB of RAM, and 4X Telsa K80's provide a total of 19,968 CUDA cores (and $19,716 in Teslas). That has a redundant 2000W power supply. This could track every squirrel in the World, set up a social network- "Sciuridaebook" and send Polar Bears daily ice reports. It won't be long and this level of system will be available- affordable- to institutions - to do environmental, atmospheric and oceanic modeling on a fairly large scale. There are other makers of these system using up to eight Telsas or Xeon Phi.

The performance results are interesting and I think I'll pay more attention to Lenovo in future. Lenovo was the successor to IBM after they got out of the PC business, but has gone through a period in which the reliability was questioned. If I see anything specific and current, I'll pass it along.

Yes, a very interesting project and I would be very interested to learn of our progress and results. You're welcome to use the private messaging if you like.

Cheers,

BambiBoom
 


yc1793,

The Teradici protocol is interesting but I must not understand all the implications and uses as it appears to me to be an expensive method- involving hardware, software, and two IP's to have a very high bandwidth Internet. I've seen some YouTube videos and all the demonstrations are of instantaneous response on websites and games.

I can understand that if the compression algorithm can deliver huge datasets instantly that's a timesaver, but at what cost? I have what I consider a terrible ISP (as do 90% of users) and when I have to download large files- a 75GB Suite from Autodesk (and I'm not sure that allows much if any compression ), I set my second system to load as long as it takes and then send it to the main system. No work time or main system performance is lost. There is no urgent reason that I need to have instantaneous rewind on videos. In general, I'm resistant to the cloud, online data storage and virtualization for reliability / security reasons as well as the trend towards subscriptions of applications from Autodesk and Adobe. With the Teradici system, there may be advantages to your projects, but look into the costs in terms of configuration / maintenance from a cost /benefit perspective.

Cheers.

BambiBoom
 
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