bit-tech.net

CardJoe · 15th Jun 2010, 09:15

http://www.bit-tech.net/news/hardwar...-atom-server/1

mi1ez · 15th Jun 2010, 09:21

I'm not convinced this is the way to go, although I can there's a sound theory behind it. Good luck to them and I look forward to hearing about performance.

alpaca · 15th Jun 2010, 09:25

in light of current events/articles:

can it run crysis?

kenco_uk · 15th Jun 2010, 09:30

I can only only assume it's been tested to the hilt before being unleashed. What OS are they to use?

Tom @ CCL · 15th Jun 2010, 09:30

Surely if this is the method of thinking they would have been better going down the GPU route for massive multi-core options?

kingosticks · 15th Jun 2010, 09:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom @ CCL

Surely if this is the method of thinking they would have been better going down the GPU route for massive multi-core options?

This is aimed at small independent tasks. And I assume there is some benefit in running x86 code rather than recompiling for a GPU.

l3v1ck · 15th Jun 2010, 09:47

It seems like a very bizarre idea to me. Why use in order CPU's when they're inefficient by their nature. Surely lower clocked Core i# CPU's would be better for the task of cheapness and power efficiency?
It'll be interesting to see how it does.

LAGMonkey · 15th Jun 2010, 10:47

SM10000? its over 9000!!!!

But i do like this, a lot.
And i believe the company looked at running ARM processors but chose atoms as they are x86. no need to recompile any code and youve already got a lot of software that can be run on it.
As for the OS... as far as its conserned its just one BIG CPU (or as many as you want, its virtulised) so you can run windows, *nix, OS2/Warp (maybe?)

borandi · 15th Jun 2010, 11:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingosticks

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom @ CCL

Surely if this is the method of thinking they would have been better going down the GPU route for massive multi-core options?

This is aimed at small independent tasks. And I assume there is some benefit in running x86 code rather than recompiling for a GPU.

^^ Got it in one. Though the downside of all these small chips is that if one particular job is massive, it'll have to go through a relatively poor CPU. Stick in a couple of Xeon E6xxx chips for those

Gareth Halfacree · 15th Jun 2010, 11:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by LAGMonkey

SM10000? its over 9000!!!!

I LOLed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LAGMonkey

you can run [...] OS2/Warp (maybe?)

I vomited.

barndoor101 · 15th Jun 2010, 12:48

its a rather specialised piece of equipment - the atom doesnt support intel VT, or ECC RAM, itll have to be a highly independant set of tasks with very little multithreading.

TSR2 · 15th Jun 2010, 15:54

Atom? Netbook chip you say?

HourBeforeDawn · 15th Jun 2010, 16:39

amazing how many people cant grasp the type of information that these server will receive lol but no they wont ever see anything "intense" or "large" as some have put it and to off load to a GPU isnt as practical for such a thing as its not doing any hi math calculations or rendering or the likes. So this is actually I deal for the power use behind it.

Shielder · 15th Jun 2010, 17:08

It runs 512 iterations of Linux. Has 2GB per CPU and as far as I understand it, no storage (or it may be extra for the storage). There are 64 network ports on the back which can be teamed to make 16 Gigabit ethernet ports (?).

Look on the anandtech website for more info.

Andy

Tangster · 15th Jun 2010, 17:17

I'm sure it works for what it does. Mind you, boasting that you have 512 atom chips in a server isn't the same as 512 xeons or opterons...

crazyceo · 15th Jun 2010, 20:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tangster

I'm sure it works for what it does. Mind you, boasting that you have 512 atom chips in a server isn't the same as 512 xeons or opterons...

Yes, it's not entirely a "big" willy wave at all is it! It's kind of one where everyone turns and points their fingers at it and laugh.....................ok, that happened to me alot.

RichCreedy · 16th Jun 2010, 10:56

i can see the thinking behind this, your not going to use it for a games server, but if your running web servers, you don't need powerful processors to deliver the websites.

my kids have custom built mini itx machines than run atom 330's, and they do everything they need them to.

Splynncryth · 16th Jun 2010, 16:01

The mentioned tasks have all been done on other architectures that are in order with shallow pipelines if they are even superscalar at all. So I don't see a problem with picking an Atom.
What they get is a selection of mature, well maintained tool chains, large software base, a well understood architecture (32 bit x86), and a huge talent pool tha is already comfortable with x86.

The picture looks like it's all based on Menlow and there is an SCH for each CPU. I'm not sure how they are linking each 'computer' together (nontransparent bridge, Ethernet, some other IO tech), or if they are linked at all. But having each be independent means they could just put an inactive SCH/CPU pair into S3 or even switch it off.
Assuming that the hardware platform is fixed (no PCIe slots, fixed RAM config, etc), the BIOS can be made to boot very fast, and the OS can probably be tweaked top do the same. That could make a full system boot fast enough with an SSD to make a full shutdown feasible (as opposed to S3).

15th Jun 2010, 09:15	#1
CardJoe Freelance Journalist bit-tech Staff Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 11,335	Start-up launches 512-Atom server http://www.bit-tech.net/news/hardwar...-atom-server/1 __________________ ... The Unlimited Hyperbole Podcast @joethreepwood on Twitter

15th Jun 2010, 09:21	#2
mi1ez Hypermodder Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Warwickshire, UK Posts: 932	I'm not convinced this is the way to go, although I can there's a sound theory behind it. Good luck to them and I look forward to hearing about performance. __________________ The Angel Delights?

15th Jun 2010, 09:25	#3
alpaca llama eats dremel Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Brussels, Belgium Posts: 1,124	in light of current events/articles: can it run crysis? __________________ my English may not be as good as I think it is...

15th Jun 2010, 09:30	#4
kenco_uk I unsuccessfully then tried again Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Bourne, Lincolnshire, UK Posts: 9,112	I can only only assume it's been tested to the hilt before being unleashed. What OS are they to use? __________________ Mac:Macbook Pro 7,1 w/Samsung 830 256GB, ML xbmc:Windows 8 x64, Fractal Design Node 304, MSI Z77IA-E53, G2120 fanless, 2x2GB, 3TB, Samsung 830 256GB dazzypops:Win8Prox64, i5-2500k@4.3, MSI Z77A-GD65, 8GB, 4TB, Samsung 840 Pro 256GB, 2 x MSI GTX660 (+110core, +535mem), LG IPS 24", Z5400 5.1

15th Jun 2010, 09:30	#5
Tom @ CCL AKA: Yewen Join Date: May 2010 Location: Leeds Posts: 454	Surely if this is the method of thinking they would have been better going down the GPU route for massive multi-core options? __________________ -- CCL Full Systems from £169.00 inc VAT -- -- Find us on Facebook - Follow us on Twitter -- -- CCL Overclocked Bundles Now Feature a 3 Year Warranty! --

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15th Jun 2010, 10:47	#8
LAGMonkey Group 7 error Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Cyprus/Canada/Saudi Posts: 1,507	SM10000? its over 9000!!!! But i do like this, a lot. And i believe the company looked at running ARM processors but chose atoms as they are x86. no need to recompile any code and youve already got a lot of software that can be run on it. As for the OS... as far as its conserned its just one BIG CPU (or as many as you want, its virtulised) so you can run windows, nix, OS2/Warp (maybe?) __________________ ---------------LAG* out!--------------- http://www.xkcd.com 100% Brainless]

15th Jun 2010, 12:48	#11
barndoor101 Bring back the demote thread! Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Clitheroe, Lancs Posts: 1,694	its a rather specialised piece of equipment - the atom doesnt support intel VT, or ECC RAM, itll have to be a highly independant set of tasks with very little multithreading. __________________ Core i7 920 @ 4Ghz // 12Gb Crucial Ballistix 1600Mhz // Sapphire HD5870 Vapor-X (x2) // 3x Samsung 2333SW // Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB & F1 1TB // 160gb Intel G2 SSD // Asus Xonar DG Asus P6T SE // Antec EarthWatts 750W Modular // CM HAF922 // Corsair H100 // Logitech G11 & G5 Dell Studio 1737 // ASUS Transformer Prime

15th Jun 2010, 15:54	#12
TSR2 Multimodder Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 160	Atom? Netbook chip you say? __________________ I <3 Aquatuning & Enermax long time!

15th Jun 2010, 16:39	#13
HourBeforeDawn a.k.a KazeModz Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Cali, USA Posts: 2,637	amazing how many people cant grasp the type of information that these server will receive lol but no they wont ever see anything "intense" or "large" as some have put it and to off load to a GPU isnt as practical for such a thing as its not doing any hi math calculations or rendering or the likes. So this is actually I deal for the power use behind it. __________________ Current Rig: Project STEALTH • DimasTech Test Bench • Black ICE Triple 120 Rad • Dual Bay Res/Pump • DD Fill Port & Res • D-Tek FuZion 2 CPU Block • ASUS M3A79-T Deluxe Mobo • AMD Phenom II 3ghz @ 4ghz • 8gb DDR2-1100 Memory • (2) AMD 6870 XFire • (2) WD Black 640gb Raid 0 • (2) 1.5TB SEAGATE • Blu-Ray/HD DVD Drive • ASUS XONAR DX2 • 30" DOUBLESIGHT LCD • (2) 23" ASUS LCD • ZALMAN 8 FAN CONTROLLER • (4) NOCTUA P12 • (2) NOCTUA P14 • 1000W ZALMAN PSU • WINDOWS 7 PRO 64 •

15th Jun 2010, 17:08	#14
Shielder Live long & prosper! Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Northwich, UK Posts: 579	It runs 512 iterations of Linux. Has 2GB per CPU and as far as I understand it, no storage (or it may be extra for the storage). There are 64 network ports on the back which can be teamed to make 16 Gigabit ethernet ports (?). Look on the anandtech website for more info. Andy __________________ Signature? What's that?

15th Jun 2010, 17:17	#15
Tangster Butt-kicking for goodness! Join Date: May 2009 Location: York, UK Posts: 2,669	I'm sure it works for what it does. Mind you, boasting that you have 512 atom chips in a server isn't the same as 512 xeons or opterons... __________________ Uni Box:i5 2500K@5GHz\|EK Supreme LT+Coolstream XT 240\|16GB HyperX DDR3@1866MHz(in blue)\|EVGA GTX670SC 4GB+EK FC670\|MSI P67A-GD55\|\|M4 256\|BeQuiet Dark Power Pro 750W\|U3011\|Raven RV-02E\|KBT Pure+Sidewinder X5 + Intuos 4M Audio: PC->TosLink->TEAC UD-H01->Schiit Asgard-> Denon 5000\|PFE232\|Truth B2030A Monitors BT Feedback

16th Jun 2010, 10:56	#17
RichCreedy Hey What Who Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: lost in the middle of lincolnshire Posts: 3,656	i can see the thinking behind this, your not going to use it for a games server, but if your running web servers, you don't need powerful processors to deliver the websites. my kids have custom built mini itx machines than run atom 330's, and they do everything they need them to. __________________ if there are errors in my messages, its because my brain is to far ahead of my hands

16th Jun 2010, 16:01	#18
Splynncryth 0x665E3FF6,0x46CC,... Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: USA Posts: 1,509	The mentioned tasks have all been done on other architectures that are in order with shallow pipelines if they are even superscalar at all. So I don't see a problem with picking an Atom. What they get is a selection of mature, well maintained tool chains, large software base, a well understood architecture (32 bit x86), and a huge talent pool tha is already comfortable with x86. The picture looks like it's all based on Menlow and there is an SCH for each CPU. I'm not sure how they are linking each 'computer' together (nontransparent bridge, Ethernet, some other IO tech), or if they are linked at all. But having each be independent means they could just put an inactive SCH/CPU pair into S3 or even switch it off. Assuming that the hardware platform is fixed (no PCIe slots, fixed RAM config, etc), the BIOS can be made to boot very fast, and the OS can probably be tweaked top do the same. That could make a full system boot fast enough with an SSD to make a full shutdown feasible (as opposed to S3).