[Build Log] Another 4p (Now Overclocked)

This build is now dedicated to my father who just passed away after a length battle with cancer.

CURRENT STATE:



[Click HERE for Tech Tray unboxing and installation.]

I thought I would post this since I found other peoples’ build logs of multi cpu folding rigs useful while I was deliberating what to build for myself. At the very least it will show up when other people who may be considering this type of build do a search on OCN. Also, this will give me a place to ask any questions that I may have rather than pollute other people’s threads.

My goal is to follow derickwm’s 2p/4p guide HERE and see how easy or hard this type of build really is. It seems like a very good guide and it really motivated me to try something like this along with some of the guides on the other forums (hardforum, overclockers.com, etc.). If I stumble upon any other issues or suggestions then I can also post them here.

I also plan on posting my PPD numbers as well as power usage and actual cost so people can have another point of reference. I imagine that there are other people out there that are concerned about the electricity cost of running one of these 4p rigs so the more information available the better.

Specs:

4 x AMD Opteron 6128 - 8 CORE 2.0GHz CPU - OS6128WKT8EGO Ebay $110 each $440 total (Received!)

Supermicro H8QGi+-F Wiredzone $658 (Received)

4 x G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB DDR3 1333 Newegg $60 each $240 total (Returned)
8 x Crucial Ballistix 4GB DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 Newegg $30 each $240 total (Received)

4 x Cooler Master Hyper 212+ Geeks $12 each $48 total (Received)
4 x Noctua NH-U9DO Antarespro $45 each $180 total (Received)

Cooler Master Silent Pro 1000W Newegg $180 (Taking from my sig rig)

Didn't need this...
8 pin splitter Newegg $10

Hard drive: random 80GB drive $0

OS: Ubuntu

Case: Rich Chomiczewski Tech Tray ~$200 (Received)

Total = $1908

What it really came down to for me was how to get the best PPD/dollar spent. Based on the numbers that I have seen so far it just seems that this is the most efficient way to fold. I went back and forth between a 2600k build, 2p Opteron, and 4p Opteron and eventually settled on this. More upfront cost but better PPD/Watt which will help in the long run (I hope). This is merely my personal opinion/decision and I’m not suggesting that anyone else do a build like this, but if you are reading this then there’s a chance that you are curious about 4p builds so hopefully this will be somewhat useful.

INDEX:

1. Pictures of CPUs and first RAM (hint: see below)
2. Discussion about RAM choices
3. Unboxing the motherboard.
4. Unboxing the Noctuas
5. Misc parts received
6. Problems with the Noctuas and RAM compatibility
7. New RAM and 212s arrive
8. Assembly of board, cpus, ram, and coolers
9. Hooking it up for real
10. It's alive!!
11. Start of discussion regarding start up options
12. It's folding and temperatures
13. Power Consumption
14. Spotswood Tech Tray!
15. PPD numbers
16. Overclocking

Finally got some chips! Sorry for the crappy pics but it's all I have right now.



The board and the coolers should be here tomorrow.
Edited by shelter - 7/31/12 at 7:26am

Yeah I was about to order the 212s, because the $70 each price for the Noctuas on Newegg seemed really steep, but when I found them at Antarespro for $45 each I figured what the heck, if I'm spending all this money anyway why not spend a bit more then the 212s and get something native. $30 each for the 212s plus $20 or so for the hardware is about $140 so $180 for the Noctuas seems reasonable. I definitely didn't want to use the Directrons but these Noctuas should perform pretty well. Although I have never heard of that website (Antarespro) I gave it a shot and they have shipped me something so we will see what I get haha.