Re: [gentoo-user] Re: Dual or Quad CPU complications?

[Rafa Griman]

On Thu, Dec 13, 2012 at 4:55 PM, James <wireless@×××××××××××.com> wrote:
> Grant <emailgrant <at> gmail.com> writes:
>
>
>> I've only ever used systems with a single CPU.  I'm looking for a new host for
> a dedicated server (suggestions?) and it looks like I'll probably choose a
> machine with two or four CPUs.
>
> NUMA is specialization, imho:
> http://pubs.vmware.com/vsphere-4-esx-vcenter/index.jsp?topic=/com.vmware.vsphere.resourcemanagement.doc_41/using_numa_systems_with_esx_esxi/c_what_is_numa.html
>
> The more cores the better. 6 and 8 are readily available.
> The 6 core AMD near 4 GHz is the sweet spot, imho.
> Here is a 4 core on sale at Newegg: AMD FX-4170 Zambezi 4.2GHz


That depends greatly on the applications he's running. If the
application(s) is(are) memory bound or I/O bound, more cores doesn't
necessarily mean better performance.


> If you run a feature rich desktop (kde, gnome, etc) then the more cores the
> better. Compiling code is much faster and you can still have a snappy
> desk top. Most gentoo folks compile quite a bit of code, depending on your
> updates and how often you experiment with new features or software.
>
> I'm setting up some new FX-8350 machines, but fully flushed out, there
> around a 1K (USD). Surely you can replace a mobo with a quad and as much ram as
> will fit, and get a fine machine. CPU speed, for me, is the dominate feature,
> when you are only doing a few things for a snappy workstation. Lots of cores and
> low CPU speed and low ram, sucks, imho. Max amount and max speed of the RAM
> is the killer performance edge for most workstations, imho.


MHO and experience is that you need a balanced system, IOW: if you
have a whole bunch of cores and GHz but crappy drive ... say bye to
performance, you'll be getting iowaits and your cores will be idle :(


> It boils down to a personal decision. The world of software
> is migrating to multi-threading, so the more cores, the
> more future-proof, imho.


MHO: it boils down to the software he's running ;)

   Rafa