building a render node

[res3d]

I am looking at getting a render node from BOXX. the salesperson thinks that the AMD 270 opteron dual core dual chip would be good for what I am doing with vray and max. I looked at some tests online comparing intels chips with AMD and they seem to favor the Intel. BOXX guy seems to think that I would be better sreved with the AMD 270 chip.

any thoughts?

[creapix]

You must have looked at the new Intel Core2 Duo tests to see that the Intel CPUs beat the AMD dual core CPUs for the same price/performance ratio.

You could wait for the new Xeons 5100 prices to go down, or build plenty of rendernodes with Athlon X2 new low prices :P

[jujubee]

I built an X2 system recently:

$180 Athlon X2 4200 Socket 939
$60 MSI Socket 939 motherboard with gig networking and onboard video
$113 1 gig PC3200 DDR RAM
$75 500W power supply
$40 40gig sata hard drive
$50 case
$20 DVD drive (not necessary)

total= $538 windows not included.

Now box wants (I'm guessing) $3000 for this opteron system? So 4 buckets total?

For the same price of one BOXX computer you could have 10-12 buckets and it will be significantly faster - and just as reliable IMO.

[CCS]

Cool. Where'd you buy the stuff?

[res3d]

building a render node

I'm goinng to look into doing it that way. I'm just not as wel versed in this kind of stuff, but I should be.

[jujubee]

You may want to bump up the memory to 2 gigs (I like Corsair XMS series.) And I recommend the Antec Truepowers (powersupply) as well. I try not to be cheap with memory.

It's gotten to the point that I can recycle alot of computer parts for future use - memory, hard drives, cases, etc. Just knowing how to take these things apart saves one so much money in the long run.

If you really want to dissect BOXX's equipment, they're basically the same internal components as you would buy separately. For instance, their server boards almost all run on Tyan.

I bought the parts off of Newegg.com and they arrived without a problem. I believe they have instructional videos underneath their products when you click on them.

Alot of building computers is reading the manual and simply 'plugging' connectors together. People are really intimidated by this but I recommend trying it at least once. Everything pretty much fits like a key.

Added I should add that I have a backup APC UPS for 4 machines. It's saved me numerous times. Don't forget CAT5e cables. And also, I have a 4 computer KVM switch so it saves on the monitor, keyboard, and mouse. You can get a more than adequate 17" LCD for about $130 to control all these. Cheap mouse and keyboard for probably $8 each.

Of course the downside is a lack of technical support (although your parts should be under manufacturer warranty.) Plus, you'll spend a day building your first comp, downloading newer drivers, and updating your OS. Just from doing it for so many people, I'm at the point of being comfortable where I can build about three in one day.

[jujubee]

This probably should be moved to off-topic.

[res3d]

building a render node

thnaks for you help. I'm going to start looking into doing this.
it's like diving into a cold pool.

[jujubee]

Here's a system that I built recently:


MotherBoard: MSI K8NGM2-FID GF6150 939 $76.99 (onboard graphics and gig networking is key - it's only a slave but you can add a graphics card afterwards.)

Memory: 1Gx2|CORSAIR Twinx2048-3200c2pt $208.00

PSU COOLMAX|CXI-450B RT 1 $52.50 (part of the processor bundle - I recommend the ANTEC Truepowers instead)

DVD+/-RW NEC ND-3550A BK % 1 $28.99 (dont even really need a DVD writer or a cd drive for that matter - you can take it out of one comp and temporarily use it to do your installs)

CASE ANTEC|P180 SIL RT $114.99 (IMO the best case on the market - super quiet and good airflow - the PSU above didnt stretch properly for this mid-tower so I ended up buying bought an Antec Truepower instead)

CPU AMD|A64 X2 4200+ 2.2G 939 1M R $183.00

HD 160G|SAMSG 7K 8M SATA2 HD160JJ R - OEM $54.99

These all fit together except the powersupply/case - wasn't expecting that. You can go with smaller case or with a longer cabled PSU. Again, you can save on the CD drive, hard drive by going lower, different motherboard, lower or cheaper memory, and case by getting something smaller. Don't forget you could possibly recycle old parts too. I suggest looking at neweggs ratings, and the quantity of people rating each item.

Abbreviated instructions (don't hold me responsible lol):

1) Screw in the PSU - easy.

2) The processors fit like a key. You lift a lever, drop it in, lock the lever, put the fan over it which locks in. Don't forget to remove the plastic from the bottom of the CPU fan and discharge any static you may have on your fingers.

3) Take the memory and match it to the slots (like a key.) Put the 2 memory DIMMS in the same colored slots. Screw the motherboard into the case - make sure that the holes line up with the pins on the case. If there's extra case pins that would touch the motherboard where there aren't holes, just unscrew them as that could cause a minor short.

4) Connect the hard drive -very easy. Two connectors - one from the power and one from the motherboard.

5) The trickiest part is just reading the manual diagram and connecting the case wires (LEDs, power switch, reset switch) to the board. The diagram shows you where they plug into. Sometimes you have to reverse the pins after booting when you see they dont work/light-up properly. But really that's not even difficult.

6) Once you get all the stuff connected, you just turn on the power and throw in the Operating System CD. Let the install proceed. This is a Nvidia-based chipset board so I downloaded the NForce 4 platform drivers onto a cd. Once booted up, I installed the Nforce platform drivers and everything works fine. Connect it up to the network, install basic software, raise virtual memory, turn off Windows screen effects (I used classic interface without fades and whatnot to conserve memory), put the vrayspawner into the start menu, and done.

[jujubee]

Here's some install videos:

Motherboard:
http://images10.newegg.com/UploadFil...tion_Guide.swf

Memory:
http://images10.newegg.com/UploadFil...tion_Guide.swf

Processor Installation:
http://images10.newegg.com/uploadfil...stall-high.wmv

http://images10.newegg.com/uploadfil...ction-high.wmv

http://images10.newegg.com/uploadfil...paste-high.wmv

[siliconbauhaus]

or alternatively....bung juju $200 and he'll knock it up for you

[res3d]

building a render node

thanks! thats great info.

[jujubee]

Another idea - siliconbauhaus mentioned having a micro atx case (similar to a shuttle.) Just get a micro atx motherboard with it - I like the Nvidia 6150 chipsets as they come with networking and video. These smaller cases sometimes comes with power supplies.

[dlparisi]

Another idea - siliconbauhaus mentioned having a micro atx case (similar to a shuttle.) Just get a micro atx motherboard with it - I like the Nvidia 6150 chipsets as they come with networking and video. These smaller cases sometimes comes with power supplies.

If it helps, here's a mATX rendernode I'm looking at:

ASUS M2NPV-VM (NewEgg) $90.00
4200 x2 (ZipZoomFly) $180.00
Asus TM-210 (NewEgg) $69.00
Sony DDU-1615 DVD-ROM (ZZF) $25.25
Seagate 80 GB SATA (NewEgg) $53.63
Windows x64 (Direct) $127.00
Kingston 667 DDR2-2GB (NewEgg) $163.00

Total: $707.88 (Prices include shipping where it's not included)

Getting two, maybe three. I'll prob OC a little to get up to the 4600 times .

[res3d]

irradience maps with a network

can I make irradience maps on a network of computer like in rendering farm, or does it need to be on one sywtem?