Bargain Hardware Thread

[sdbardwick]

An even better deal (from www.techbargains.com ):
Dell PowerEdge SC430 Server Pentium D 820 2.8Ghz Dual Core processor 512MB/80GB, 1yr only $399 after $399 instant dollars off. (Only valid on E-Value Code: Aff- sc430dc399)

ETA: Not working right now...try later in the day, as Dell offers can start at odd times.

[IronBits]

95W to 130W not too bad.
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu...umd-820_3.html

[paulunderwood]

'm not familiar with 'GXE network boot' . Please explain. I wired my house with CAT5 to be used exclusively for a home LAN (ethernet), and I have other desktops pcs in use with lots of available hard drive space. Eliminating the need for a hard drive would be a significant cost reduction. I assume mprime can be configured to write to a network share (or whatever). Does the available network storage have to be on another LINUX client?

Where's the best place for info on 'GXE network boot' ?

It's PXE Google "pxe boot"

You need a server with the kernel for the client. The client network boots, locates the server and loads the kernel and any shares.

Personally, I've never done it. I have motherboard with a network boot option but I am not sure whether I need another chip to achieve a network boot

[IronBits]

$352 from here:
http://www.unitedmicro.com/cgi-bin/mbw.cgi?243222913

Overclocking with the Pentium D 820 was a simple process, and I ended up with some pretty decent results. First, users need to realize that the Pentium D 820 is actually a pair of Prescott cores, so heat will end up being a large factor in any overclock. Using a Prometeia Mach II, I had no problem hitting 3.5GHz (250FSB) with rock solid stability. I then revved up my system to 3.80 GHz, again, fully stable, only when I shut down the system, the temps jumped to 50C within a matter of seconds. At 3.80 GHz, the Pentium D 820 showed some great benchmarking scores, beating the four threaded Intel 840 EE in every test.

http://www.legitreviews.com/article/210/6/

[Peter Nelson]

Intel are discounting the 805 chips to resellers/distributors at the moment. That is why they are such a good deal but it may be a "while stocks last" situation.

Having said that they then decided to do similar rebates on 8xx processors (cos most people want a 9xx at similar price for heat reasons). So probably the deal on the 820 is a reflection of that too.

My thinking was if I can get the 805 cheap, then IF the rebate disappeared and prices on it go up to relatively normal, I may be able to sell it later without losing too much.

So I think 805 may offer best bang for sales price buck FOR NOW, but that may not be permanent.

Additionally if you factor in the prime/factoring done per $ of electrical operating cost, I suspect the low end 9xx processors like 920 may be close or leading.

[IronBits]

I'm so confused after being over in the AMD camp for so long...
http://www.overclockers.com.au/article.php?id=452447

http://www.overclockers.com.au/artic...neup_small.jpg

[IronBits]

Here's one running at 3.6GHz!
930@240 FSB with only 1,1875 volts

ASUS P5WD2-E PREMIUM
D 930@SCHYTE NINJA@2x120 DELTA FAN'S(105CFM)
2X512 CORSAIR 8000UL@1000MHZ@4-3-2-4-2
POWERCOLOR X1800XT 512MB
HDD 2xWD2500KS
PSU:SILVERSTONE ZEUS ST65ZF 650W@710 WATT'S
CASE:CHIEFTEC LBA-02-B-B-B @5x92/2x120 FAN'S@CHIEFTEC CONTROLLER

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...66#post1342866

[E_tron]

Originally Posted by IronBits

95W to 130W not too bad.
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu...umd-820_3.html

Considering this, it may be better to buy the athlon X2 (even if it is more expensive) assuming it will run for a few years. Maybe i should consult my calculus textbooks. to see which solution pays off.

[Peter Nelson]

From pricing details posted on Anandtech site,

it seems that the dualcore 9xx range of chips are due to get cheaper in April 23 and/or 30th.

Then again the prices they list for around Q3/ maybe November when conroe is out, are reduced further.

From those prices it seems that the price of Netburst Intel cpus will be maybe HALF THE CURRENT PRICE.

Regardless of if you will choose conroe instead, this means that using netburst WILL HAVE APPROX HALF THE COST FOR PRIME LL AND FACTORING OF CURRENT OFFERINGS. ie a certain amount of money as a budget will buy a system about TWICE the aggregate performance of what we buy now.

We should consider that when estimating when the next mersenne prime will be found ;-)

[Mystwalker]

a certain amount of money as a budget will buy a system about TWICE the aggregate performance of what we buy now.

Only considering the CPU and not the remaining system, that is.
But nevertheless, it indeed will make a difference.

[Peter Nelson]

Originally Posted by Mystwalker

Only considering the CPU and not the remaining system, that is.
But nevertheless, it indeed will make a difference.

I was thinking maybe a minimal system ie motherboard with some integrated graphics, network boot, moderate PSU. The processor prices I saw brought 9xx down to LESS than half price. Taking into account the mobo and psu, about half is still correct although it depends which model of cpu you are buying. Over the next 6 months the bang for buck will increase somewhat FASTER than the increase commonly attributed to Moore's Law.