Optimal configartion

dr.sonic · June 9, 2013, 04:46

I know there are many threads with similar subject, but I did not find the right one.

My institution got some well funded project, and they want to by the computers for cfd, mainly for modeling the atmospheric pollution. The main programs which we plan to use are ANSYS CFD, AUSTAL2000 and ISC3View.

The budget for the equipment is 40000€. Can you suggest me what would be the best option to buy?

They want to buy 20 computers (2000€ each, with accent on the processor), and connect them to work in parallel mod. Is it better to buy some machines with Quadro cards, and let the GPU do all the work? Or even some system with few Teslas?

dr.sonic · June 9, 2013, 16:33

I found some answers in this thread: http://www.cfd-online.com/Forums/har...rkstation.html

So, it seems that it is not wise to invest in Tesla, or other GPU based systems. Also, first I need to know what licence we will be purchasing.

dr.sonic · July 8, 2013, 04:08

I have few more days to assemble the configuration. Should I aim for Haswell processors? How important is processor cache?
Is this i7-3930K better than this i7-4770K?
That i7-3930K is only processor with 4 memory channels that I can find.

dr.sonic · July 8, 2013, 15:04

Ok, here is the configuration.
CPU: LGA1150 Intel® Core™ i7-4770K
MB: LGA1150 Z87 ASUS Z87-PRO
VGA: GeForce GTX760 ASUS OC 2GB/DDR5
MEM: Kingston HyperX Beast (T3) - 32GB Kit* (4x8GB) - DDR3 2400MHz CL11 Intel XMP DIMM
SSD: SATA3 256GB Samsung 840 Pro Series 540/520MB/s
POW: 850W Chieftec BPS-850C2, Nitro II

With monitor, case, and few other things it is about 2000€. What do you think? I think that processor is the weak link, it has only 2 memory channels.
There should be 20 of those computers, all working in parallel.

Edit: In the meantime I found this processor , it has 4 memory channels .

dr.sonic · July 9, 2013, 13:08

Should I aim for the ECC memory?

evcelica · July 11, 2013, 08:58

Which interconnects do you intend to use to network the computers?
Why 20 at $2000 each, why not 10 at $4000, or even 4 at $10000. Do you just want the most capable cluster possible?
And yes, the 3930K should be about 35-50% faster than the 4770K for CFD.
ECC memory would only be supported on server level processors like XEONs, but it is not really needed for CFD and it is slower and more expensive the non-ECC.

dr.sonic · July 11, 2013, 16:26

I dont know that yet.
Because it is defined that way in the project proposal two years ago, and I was not involved in the writing of that project back then

Ok, thanks for help.

June 9, 2013, 04:46	Optimal configartion	#1
dr.sonic New Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 6 Rep Power: 12	I know there are many threads with similar subject, but I did not find the right one. My institution got some well funded project, and they want to by the computers for cfd, mainly for modeling the atmospheric pollution. The main programs which we plan to use are ANSYS CFD, AUSTAL2000 and ISC3View. The budget for the equipment is 40000€. Can you suggest me what would be the best option to buy? They want to buy 20 computers (2000€ each, with accent on the processor), and connect them to work in parallel mod. Is it better to buy some machines with Quadro cards, and let the GPU do all the work? Or even some system with few Teslas?

July 8, 2013, 15:04		#4
dr.sonic New Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 6 Rep Power: 12	Ok, here is the configuration. CPU: LGA1150 Intel® Core™ i7-4770K MB: LGA1150 Z87 ASUS Z87-PRO VGA: GeForce GTX760 ASUS OC 2GB/DDR5 MEM: Kingston HyperX Beast (T3) - 32GB Kit* (4x8GB) - DDR3 2400MHz CL11 Intel XMP DIMM SSD: SATA3 256GB Samsung 840 Pro Series 540/520MB/s POW: 850W Chieftec BPS-850C2, Nitro II With monitor, case, and few other things it is about 2000€. What do you think? I think that processor is the weak link, it has only 2 memory channels. There should be 20 of those computers, all working in parallel. Edit: In the meantime I found this processor , it has 4 memory channels . Last edited by dr.sonic; July 8, 2013 at 16:13.

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June 9, 2013, 16:33		#2
dr.sonic New Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 6 Rep Power: 12	I found some answers in this thread: http://www.cfd-online.com/Forums/har...rkstation.html So, it seems that it is not wise to invest in Tesla, or other GPU based systems. Also, first I need to know what licence we will be purchasing.

July 8, 2013, 04:08		#3
dr.sonic New Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 6 Rep Power: 12	I have few more days to assemble the configuration. Should I aim for Haswell processors? How important is processor cache? Is this i7-3930K better than this i7-4770K? That i7-3930K is only processor with 4 memory channels that I can find.

July 9, 2013, 13:08		#5
dr.sonic New Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 6 Rep Power: 12	Should I aim for the ECC memory?

July 11, 2013, 08:58		#6
evcelica Senior Member Erik Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Earth (Land portion) Posts: 1,167 Rep Power: 23	Which interconnects do you intend to use to network the computers? Why 20 at $2000 each, why not 10 at $4000, or even 4 at $10000. Do you just want the most capable cluster possible? And yes, the 3930K should be about 35-50% faster than the 4770K for CFD. ECC memory would only be supported on server level processors like XEONs, but it is not really needed for CFD and it is slower and more expensive the non-ECC.

July 11, 2013, 16:26		#7
dr.sonic New Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 6 Rep Power: 12	I dont know that yet. Because it is defined that way in the project proposal two years ago, and I was not involved in the writing of that project back then Ok, thanks for help.