would building an SR-2 system be worth the investment now since the 1366 socket is aging?
 
I cant afford to do an SR-X or a 4p system. If i were to build a multi cpu system, it would need to be worth while and be able to run -big advantage for a while.
 
i know the limit is 16 cores, so i would need 6 core cpus with a decent OC to be able to make deadlines. Im just worried that after another round of spec bump requirement from stanford, the SR-2 wont be capable of running -bigadv. 
 
Just looking for some opinions on this
 
Thanks!!

I think that stanford will raise the requirements again, its only logical as hardware capabilities increase.
 
and this would probably turn into a mostly folding machine and be used for gaming whenever i game, which is a few hours a week. 

From what I have read lately, if you are thinking about going multi-processor, you're best off going 4-proc AMD .
Most 4 proc AMD boards will operate with 2 CPUs installed.   Allows you to start off with just 2 cpus and add another 2 later if starting cost is an issue.
That said, I'm not up to speed on what upgrade options are available regarding future AMD chips.
Perhaps someone with some knowledge of current/future AMD cpu upgrade paths could chime in........
 

Most server boards have a few PCIe slots but they aren't really arranged to make it convenient to use a large GPU card (for example fastest slot is RIGHT NEXT to a CPU socket).  Would SLI even work on a server board?
I think it would be awkward to use it for both folding and gaming.  With the quick return bonus, it doesn't make any sense to pause a WU, so you'd have to adjust your gaming schedule around when WUs complete.  If you decided not to run bigadv, the WU would end faster, but then you wouldn't be tapping the potential of the hardware.

Hey,
 
I have both but they both run linux, and I use an older windows system for personal use. 
 
If you are going to use either for folding I am not sure how bigadv is on windows side points wise, so can't help you there.
 
On linux I get around 160,000 ppd on my SR2 X5650's at 4 ghz 8101 (22m 32s).  4P I am getting around 323,500 ppd (14m 14s) 6174's (stock) . 
 
However, on a "personal use" basis the SR2 smokes the 4P systems.  4ghz Intel is much, much more responsive than 2ghz AMD.

i will be curious to see your pricing...
 
I will say that i probably cant swing sr-2 and dual cpus all at once. I have a good job now but still a bunch of bills and student loans...
 
 

While i ponder this investment, can you even get the -bigadv units in  windows anymore? or do you have to use linux?

well, that seals it. I cant run linux, i would need this to be my main computer, so it would need windows, and if i cant do -bigadv with it, its not really worth the investment for me. I cant afford to run a separate rig just for folding, power costs too much. 
 
thanks for all of the help everyone!!

Yep, VMware is what I've read is the answer to that situation.  I need to investigate doing that too, because my SR-2 is also a daily driver of many things and can't be dedicated to just Linux.  That's the main reason that I only run standard SMP on my SR-2 instead of Bigadvs.  I still need access to Windows for other applications and of course gaming.  The SR-2 is one heck of a multifunction rig, especially if you run apps that can take advantage of the multi-sockets.  So, I hope you can find a way to put one to use CB! 

cblaxx
maybe next year ill build a multi cpu system from scratch with my upgrade money. Im putting a bit away each paycheck for it. 

Yep, that has been my method for accumulating $'s for things over many years.  A little patience and self control pays-off in the end. 

If I'm reading correctly what CB wants to do, a dual-boot installation would not be the solution to his need.  He would have to stop the Bigadv in Linux and reboot into Windows every time he needed to use a Win application.  VMware (from what I've read) is the only kind of tool that will allow you to run both Linux and Windows at the same time.  Checking on that product today, it appears that you need to budget for another $200 for the Desktop version of VM.  I do see that you can download a trial version to test-drive it which is good.

cblaxx
i thought VM player was free, but perhaps I can get it for free, or perhaps by the time i build this machine windows will be -bigadv compatible again...

You are correct.  I just got off the phone with a fella at VMware.  The VMware Player is totally free and is in fact best suited for what we want to do with Windows and Linux.  He uses it at home for the same reasons on his personal PC.  He shared that you can install it just like any other application within an existing Windows installation, no changes to the master boot record, and no dual-booting stuff.  I'm gonna give it a try if nothing else just to educate myself a bit.
 
Here's the link to the page where you can download the free product:
http://www.vmware.com/pro.cts/player/overview.html

nathan_P
Caution, the free vmware player only allows either 4 or 8 cores depending on the version.  virtual box is the one you want as it allows upto 24 cores

I'm just discovering that limitation (with VM Player) as we speak.  The Max cores I can select on an SR-2 system is (4).  No good for Folding as the standard SMP WU I'm running right now has TPFs in the 9min range instead of sub 2min as it should be for this Rig.  No go on VMWare from what I'm seeing.
 
Nathan,  what about the concerns that are oft reported about Vbox not supporting symmetric multiprocessing?  Is that still an issue with Vbox?

Vbox has been used up to 24 threads without issue, i'm not sure if anyone has pushed it to 32 or more yet