Author: Mike Byrne
Date: 10:29:57 02/21/05
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On February 21, 2005 at 12:17:41, pavel wrote: >On February 21, 2005 at 11:49:29, Mike Byrne wrote: > >>On February 21, 2005 at 11:27:14, Jasmine Baer wrote: >> >>>Do I need a 64-bit OS to run Crafty64, or is a AMD 64 CPU enough? >>> >>>I'm lost about this stuff, so please forgive me. >> >>I believe, this particular version needs OS to be 64 bit for it to run. I could >>send you a verision for 64 bit and one that runs on both 64 and 32 bit OS. >>Email me if interested (this offer is good for anybody - place the word crafty64 >>in the subject heading). If you run 64 bit, opening book will have to be >>recreated in 64 bit mode. The 32 bit opening books will not work. >> >>Win XP 64 beta is available for free to download. It expires after one year. >>It appears to be very a stable OS (no OS crashes at all), the main drawbacks are >>the lack of 56K modem and SATA drivers. IDE drives, CD-ROM/CD-RW,Cd=DVD >>Drives, FloppyVIDEO, Printer and LAN drivers for the most past are available. I >>have a 128MB ATI Video Card that runs fine. Most of the 32bit program run fine. >> Those that use 16 bit intstall programs do notinstall (Winboard/Classic Genius >>are two programs that do not install. There is a 64 Winboard compillation >>available but it does not come with everything. Specificallly you willneed to >>copy timestamp or timeseal from the 32 bit version if you want thise ICS >>helpers.) >> >>Shredder (Fritz version), and Chessbase install work fine. Shredder 8 does >>about 950K nps in threads=2 mode. I suspect the vast majority of the 32 bit >>programs that use 32 bit intstallers will work fine. I have't tried Chessmaster >>yet, that could could be a problem since that program always burped with certian >>video cards etc, even with similiar but different 32 bit flavors of Windows OS, >>who knows if it will like the 54 bit video drivers. It is not high on my list >>to install anyway. >> >>Best, >> >>Michael > >Imagine all the SETI crunching you can do with this babe. :) >You have an awesome system. I wish I had one. The price tag doesn't seem so bad >(1500$ right?), but it has to be custom built with that price tag; which I can't >do. :( > >pavs Thanks Pavs, I amazed what this can do for only $1500, running Crafty at 4M nps.. In fairness, I had to spend $60 on 80 MB EIDE drive (could not get installed SATA drive to work under Win XP 64) , $80 for modem that is connect to the PC as a router (limited 56 K modem drivers available, 1 heatsink fan replacement $25, $10 case fan, $10 CPU fan replaced, $10 case fan added the side panel (the side panel had an air vent with a tunnel to CPUs - the tunnel then had to be cut in half after adding the fan) - this last side fan added was instrumental in bringing overall system temp and CPU temps to more reasonable range. The system, as delivered, was producing about 80 dba, fine for a server room where there are no people, totally unacceptable for home use. I replaced all the fans with quieter models, but in the process lost some cooling ability. Adding an additional side fan , blowing directly on the CPUs with outside air (via the tunnel), was crucial in maintaining the system environment . The CPU #1 is now running cooler than when it arrived ( 47 C ) and I cut the decibels to less than 40. It is not as quiet as a Dell, but is better than 80 decibels and it is one heck of a chess computing machine. The best way I can described an 80 decibel producing computer with loud fans is that it sounds like a 747 is in your house and it is getting ready for takeoff – except it never takes off. The noise quickly becomes painful and it would probably cause long-term hearing loss if left as is. There is an outfit called END.PC.NOISE that caters to those who are attracted to quiet systems while maintaining proper cooling. All Opterons are rated to run at 70 C max tolerance, but that is very hot for a system. The MSI motherboard requires 45 C, so would guess that if the CPU is running 70 C, the motherboard would be near 45 C if not over. In addition, a user does not really want to run their system at the tolerance levels. For reliability and long use, one would want to be safely under the tolerance levels, For Opterons, that is 55 C or lower and and below 35 C system temp for the motherboard. Interestingly, I get max nps by NOT running the Opterons full speed – I attribute that to the memory timings. I have found the 225 Mhz FSB to be the fastest for Crafty for my setup. That calculates to be 2.025 Ghz but the AMD CPU ID utility states that it is running at 2.061 Ghz, I’m not sure what causes that, but I am not complaining. It is hard to recommend the MSI MASTER FAR2 motherboard to anyone else. It is commercial (not for home PC) board, with a Class A (commercial) rating by the FCC. It is designed for a commercial server environment and that is why it is shipped with 80 decibel producing fans. You can change the fans out for quieter ones, but then you must watch for any undesirable system changes and be ready to take appropriate steps to main the proper environment – keeping it at least as cool or cooler as the system was when shipped. Naturally, the better designed Tyan motherboard for dual Opterons is more expensive and is more desirable unless one is willing to go through the steps I had to take with the MSI motherboard.. Best, Michael
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