What CPU Client + GPU2 with This System?

[jedihobbit]

Okay NOOB TIME! It looks like I'll be down to one system shortly so..........this will be my "do it all" system

CASE: SilverStone SOG1
PSU: Enermax MODU82+
MOBO: Biostar TA760G AM2+
CPU: AMD PII X3 720BE
HSF: Cuplex XT di
GPU: Evga 8800GTS w/AquagraFX 8800
MEMORY: TWIN2X2048-8500C5DF
Primary HDD: Seagate 7200.10 ST380815AS 80GB OR BHrDx's WD740GB-00FLC0 Raptor
Secondary HDDs: BHrDx's 2 x WD5000KS-00MNB0 400GB
Optical Drive 1: Sony NEC Optiarc AD-7200S

As I will need to use it as a file and print server, gamer, "general purpose", etc. that would limit me to what & how many, cpu client wise?

[BWM]

I'll stick in my ideas a lil later. Kinda busy ATM, but I do have some changes to recommend.
brad

[jedihobbit]

Go easy on the changes man, it is either use what I have or.......nothing.

[BWM]

well sir, if its that set in stone then that's what ya gotta run with. Let'er rip

[mr_raider]

I suggest you run 1 GPU client under windows, and one Linux SMP client under vmware for maximum production. You can get away with 400MB of RAM for the guest using a very lean Xubuntu 8.04 install. I don't even start the graphical desktop anymore.


You can shut down the GPU client when gaming.

[jedihobbit]

mr_raider......the spinpoint I have listed is the one you help me setup way back with Kermit the Folder. It already has 8.04 and XP Home loaded. If I want to replace home with pro would that try to mess with the Linux?

Also as you've suggested..... will that let me deal with the rest of my tasks under M$?

[mr_raider]

the suggestion now is run XP pro or home, or windows 7 (my suggestion) 24/7 as the host OS. Then install VMware and run single Ubuntu 8.04 install as guest virtual machine. The VM will see two cores, leaving the 3rd one for GPU folding.

GPU folding doesn't do very well in Linux, and since you want to game, windows is the choice OS.

Alternatively you can run the windows SMP client, but production is pathetic. For the Linux VM you can easily get 1900-2300ppd.

[mr_raider]

mr_raider......the spinpoint I have listed is the one you help me setup way back with Kermit the Folder. It already has 8.04 and XP Home loaded. If I want to replace home with pro would that try to mess with the Linux?

Re-installing XP pro will hose the bootloader, but the Ubuntu install will still be there. You can rebuild the boot loader. We can guide you through it, young padawan.

[jedihobbit]

Re-installing XP pro will hose the bootloader, but the Ubuntu install will still be there. You can rebuild the boot loader. We can guide you through it, young padawan.

Sounds good just need to get rid of this headache and get the system in test mode on air and then work on the software before going to water!

[jedihobbit]

mr_raider........looks like the system runs okay, so what should I look for or see when I re-install Pro over the home?

Just don't want to panic when something looks a little squirrelly. BTW spent 20 minutes updating ubunto.......

[jedihobbit]

When I get ready to load pro I take it I'll have a choice of which partition or it'll pick the windows one?

If I have to pick one you say the larger of the partitions (C is the M$ volume?? The system will boot ubunto unless XP is selected, if that means anything!

[mr_raider]

Do you want to keep the Ubuntu partition or not? If not, format the whole disk, and set it up as you see fit. Leave at least 10 gigs for Ubuntu, more if you want to install a lot of programs.

If you want to keep Ubuntu, install XP by wiping and re-installing the current XP partition. On re-boot, you will be able re enter windows with no issues, but Ubuntu will disappear from the boot loader. You can rebuild the boot loader from the Live CD using the GRUB command line:

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=224351

The Live CD has a program called gparted or partition editor. It will allow you to graphically view your partitions, erase, format repartition and re-size partitions to your heart's content.

[jedihobbit]

Hate to be dense, but yes I would like to keep ubunto for the smp part as you suggested. I really can't remember how I partitioned the hdd when this was initially done.

As far as "live cd" I assume you're talking about the cd I made initially to load ubunto.

It'll be a while before you get my panic notice as I have honey dos to accomplish today.

thanks

[mr_raider]

Hate to be dense, but yes I would like to keep ubunto for the smp part as you suggested. I really can't remember how I partitioned the hdd when this was initially done.

As far as "live cd" I assume you're talking about the cd I made initially to load ubunto.

It'll be a while before you get my panic notice as I have honey dos to accomplish today.

thanks

The SMP part I suggested requires you install Ubuntu in a virtual machine within windows, Your current Ubuntu install will not serve that function. If you wish to concentrate on GPU folding, might as well wipe and re-install the whole thing.

[jedihobbit]

Honey do break!

Okay so the ubunto is a virtual within the windows load.......or kept what I have......... this is a bit more than my pea brain can currently handle.

Because of down grading to an 8800GTS was hoping to max out cpu folding also.

So oh master which do you think would be the simplest to do?