Looking for advice on new BOINC cruncher

[unmasked]

I normally lurk here but I'm planning on a new build which will be exclusively for BOINC and hope I could get some advice. I've built systems before but they've tended to be multi-purpose and therefore cost more money than I care to spend on this one. My only real constraint is space but of course in addition to that I want to get the most bang for the buck. Currently I am looking at 2 options:

1. Build an 8 core server (currently thinking 2 E5430s and a SuperMicro board)
2. Build 1 or 2 quad desktops

I'm in no rush so I will probably wait until the new chips are released since even if I don't get one the current gen chips will drop in price. I've seen a lot of discussions on these chips and from what I've gathered, the 8 core server box might only wind up being 25% faster than the quad desktop but costing somewhat more money. Building 2 desktops would cost more and give more performance but also take up more space.

Is it possible to get the most out of, say, a Q9650 but in a small footprint? If so, what would be the best way to go about it?

I've also considered a rackmounted system as I already have a rack that's used for other purposes, but I know next to nothing about them.

Thanks.

[Plan.B]

Possibilities for small footprint: mATX boards with everything onboard, one that is somewhat overclockable. put 2 comps in one case, or stack two media center cases. use one monitor with a monitor switch, or have one or both be a headless cruncher, or just plug the monitor into the one you want to check on - a small lcd. a combined watercooled setup for both rigs perhaps...

Will you get the most out of that q9650 with mATX and air or water cooled? Probably not, but with good cooling and a decent mobo you can get better than stock. Would be less expensive than an 8 core server also.

Just be sure to join the xtremesystems WCG crunching team, hehe. Good luck

[unmasked]

Thanks a lot for the advice. Based on the few micros I've seen I think I will stay away from them for now. The media center case idea is something I haven't thought of and may take a look at. The monitors aren't an issue as I have a multiswitch setup already (now I just need a good DVI switch to take advantage of my 30" samsung monitor :D).

I've avoided water cooling in the past as I am a clutz. I always manage to drop something important into a hard to reach area and I am likely to flood my apartment if I use a watercooling system unless I find something titled "watercooling for dummies". Can watercooling be done in such a tight area?

I'd also consider another laptop but only if I can get a quad from a company that actually has some customer support. They are great on space but are expensive relative to CPU cycles. Plus they get very hot in spite of the laptop coolers.

[Plan.B]

another possibility is a bare bones shuttle. people watercool them; check out the water cooled case gallery.
for w/c help, read the faqs in the liquid cooling section and read through some of the build threads in the liquid cooling worklogs sub-section.
maybe get one laptop and one midtower. If it's for crunching only, I would avoid laptops, more build options with ATX,
and easier to swap out components for repair, upgrading, obsessing, etc.
ask your BIONC question in the World Community Grid (WCG) forum, you'll get more responses...

[Asgard_thor]

i would say if you want the most..
Antec 300 is like $40
small matx mobo
Q6600
$25 for 2gb of ram
earthwatt psu
throw in a old IDE HD

ur set :P

[Movieman]

Best bang for your buck is a Q6600 or Q9450 on a P35 board.
The Q9650's are nice also if you want to spend the extra money.
Now as to 8 cores on a Supermicro board, if that interests you give me a yell as I have a "little" experience with those..;)