First round gear selection discussion

[mega_option101]

Originally Posted by gibsonnova74

great, nice going.

In that case I think that a 4GB flash drive should suffice

[Taeric]

HDD or flash drive, I think we should take Windows off the table, especially since the Linux SMP client is as good or better than the Windows client in just about every configuration unless things have changed significently recently.

Instead of going with a full case, what about using something like a Lian Li mobo tray for the builds? We would probably need to add one or two 120 mm fans at strategic locations to keep components cool, but that may be cheaper than buying cases, especially cases with good air flow.

On the topic of flash drives, I've seen some low impact Linux installs intended to preserve the life of a flash drive that have run well on as little as 256 MB drives. There's no need to go that small with flash drives as cheap as they are today, but anything more than $10-$15 a system would probably be excessive. I would think that one optical drive would be sufficient for all of the computers since it would only really be needed for installs (I really need to unplug the optical drives on my dedicated folding rigs to save a little more power).

Speaking of power, if we can find 80+ certified PSUs at a reasonable price, that would be a plus. I didn't click on the link above, so ignore me if that's already been taken into account.

One last comment before I butt out (for now) - we should probably pick a retailer to buy the PS3(s) that are going to be part of this project so we can purchase it/them soon.

[mega_option101]

Originally Posted by Taeric

HDD or flash drive, I think we should take Windows off the table, especially since the Linux SMP client is as good or better than the Windows client in just about every configuration unless things have changed significently recently.

Instead of going with a full case, what about using something like a Lian Li mobo tray for the builds? We would probably need to add one or two 120 mm fans at strategic locations to keep components cool, but that may be cheaper than buying cases, especially cases with good air flow.

On the topic of flash drives, I've seen some low impact Linux installs intended to preserve the life of a flash drive that have run well on as little as 256 MB drives. There's no need to go that small with flash drives as cheap as they are today, but anything more than $10-$15 a system would probably be excessive. I would think that one optical drive would be sufficient for all of the computers since it would only really be needed for installs (I really need to unplug the optical drives on my dedicated folding rigs to save a little more power).

Speaking of power, if we can find 80+ certified PSUs at a reasonable price, that would be a plus. I didn't click on the link above, so ignore me if that's already been taken into account.

One last comment before I butt out (for now) - we should probably pick a retailer to buy the PS3(s) that are going to be part of this project so we can purchase it/them soon.

In the link that I provided above the notfred's folding linux is only 16MB, which would be perfect.

For the PS3's:

www.bestbuy.ca
www.futureshop.ca

[gibsonnova74]

Edit: I was going to post for the PS3's, but Mega has some good links already.

[mega_option101]

Originally Posted by gibsonnova74

Edit: I was going to post for the PS3's, but Mega has some good links already.

What is the plan gibsonnova74? Have you come up with the official list of parts for the project yet?

[gibsonnova74]

Originally Posted by mega_option101

What is the plan gibsonnova74? Have you come up with the official list of parts for the project yet?

Not exactly, I spent most of yesterday trying to get the flash drive + Linux program working. If we can get a successful program, we wont need a dvd rom and h/d. After you get the flash drive running, you should be able to turn of the rig, take out the video card, turn the rig back on, run it off of the flash drive, and monitor it from another computer through the IP address. Unfortunately, I couldn't get it working. Mega, if you would like to give it a try, i can give you the program. Another thing, DirectCanada is out of stock on our motherboards. They are out of stock on the P35-DS3L, and the upgraded board with the onboard video.

I will be working on this project today,(just woke up) let me know if you can come up with anything Mega.

[gibsonnova74]

This is what i came up with so far:

(1) Lian LI mini Mobo tray.http://www.performance-pcs.com/catal...ducts_id=20966 = $22.50
(2) Q6600 http://www.directcanada.com/products...ufacture=INTEL = $218.88
(3) H/S http://www.directcanada.com/products...CTIC%20COOLING = $21.63
(4) RAM http://www.directcanada.com/products...anufacture=OCZ = $55.65
(5) PSU http://www.directcanada.com/products...anufacture=OCZ = $57.75
(6) 1GB Flash drive http://www.directcanada.com/products...cture=KINGSTON =$7.11
(7) Mobo with onboard video http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128078 =$64.99
(8) 120mm x 2 fans http://www.directcanada.com/products...91&vpn=TRICOOL 120MM DBB&manufacture=ANTEC =$10.39 x 2 (20.78)
(9) AS5 http://www.directcanada.com/products...facture=ARCTIC SILVER =$8.97
(10) DVD ROM for installs http://www.directcanada.com/products...nufacture=ASUS =$16.85

Total without shipping = $495.11


Ok, 2 things about this list so far. (1) These prices dont include shipping, i dont have a shipping address. (2) The Lian LI Mobo tray, and Mobo are in the U.S. If we can find them in Canada, that would be great. If we cant find them in Canada, these sites will do.

As for the PS3's, http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/prodde...89&catid=24376 =$399.99 x2 (799.98)

Hopefully the PS3's will still be in stock when we order!

Comments and concerns please.

[JadeMiner]

Hey Gibson. If you want I can do some research on various setups for using the flash bios. I have the same mobo as you. And that Gigabyte you guys are looking at uses the same bios. notfred's is very good, but I believe there's other ways of running it in the USB flash drive also. Want me to look ino it?
~JadeMiner~

[mega_option101]

Originally Posted by gibsonnova74

This is what i came up with so far:

(1) Lian LI mini Mobo tray.http://www.performance-pcs.com/catal...ducts_id=20966 = $22.50
(2) Q6600 http://www.directcanada.com/products...ufacture=INTEL = $218.88
(3) H/S http://www.directcanada.com/products...CTIC%20COOLING = $21.63
(4) RAM http://www.directcanada.com/products...anufacture=OCZ = $55.65
(5) PSU http://www.directcanada.com/products...anufacture=OCZ = $57.75
(6) 1GB Flash drive http://www.directcanada.com/products...cture=KINGSTON =$7.11
(7) Mobo with onboard video http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128078 =$64.99
(8) 120mm x 2 fans http://www.directcanada.com/products...91&vpn=TRICOOL 120MM DBB&manufacture=ANTEC =$10.39 x 2 (20.78)
(9) AS5 http://www.directcanada.com/products...facture=ARCTIC SILVER =$8.97
(10) DVD ROM for installs http://www.directcanada.com/products...nufacture=ASUS =$16.85

Total without shipping = $495.11


Ok, 2 things about this list so far. (1) These prices dont include shipping, i dont have a shipping address. (2) The Lian LI Mobo tray, and Mobo are in the U.S. If we can find them in Canada, that would be great. If we cant find them in Canada, these sites will do.

As for the PS3's, http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/prodde...89&catid=24376 =$399.99 x2 (799.98)

Hopefully the PS3's will still be in stock when we order!

Comments and concerns please.

Gibson: this list looks great

Performance-PCs will cost us in custom fees but it shouldn't be too bad. I believe all the parts will be shipped to Toronto, Ontario, Canada... (I am not 100% sure on this) What is our total budget for this project?

Originally Posted by JadeMiner

Hey Gibson. If you want I can do some research on various setups for using the flash bios. I have the same mobo as you. And that Gigabyte you guys are looking at uses the same bios. notfred's is very good, but I believe there's other ways of running it in the USB flash drive also. Want me to look ino it?
~JadeMiner~

Hey JadeMiner,

Here is the link you speak of http://reilly.homeip.net/folding/usb.html

[JadeMiner]

Originally Posted by mega_option101

Hey JadeMiner,

Here is the link you speak of http://reilly.homeip.net/folding/usb.html

Yes. Thanks Mega. That's the one we tried alright. For some reason that GA-P35-DS3L doesn't like operating with the flash drive and notfred's. It has a dual priority boot. He tried every possible combination. And it will read from the flash drive, but then it freezes. "Unpacking initramfs...<0>Kernel panic - not syncing: invalid compressed format (err=1)"

I'm not sure what this is. It might be that some mobo's allow you to READ from the flash drive. But not to WRITE to it during boot.
~JadeMiner~