[Beowulf] Supermicro 2U

[Lux, James P]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: beowulf-bounces at beowulf.org 
> [mailto:beowulf-bounces at beowulf.org] On Behalf Of Mark Hahn
> Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 1:00 PM
> To: John Hearns
> Cc: Beowulf Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [Beowulf] Supermicro 2U
> 
> > New. Shiny. http://www.supermicro.com/products/nfo/2UTwin2.cfm
> 
> I'm a bit puzzled.  cpu/mem density is the same as for their 
> older dual-node-1U line.  I guess it's handy to have 3 normal 
> disks per node.
> 
> > The nice thing is that the motherboards are hot-swap from 
> the rear - 
> > so these things
> 
> hmm, I don't see that stated.  do they have some kind of HS tray?
> the boards clearly have ATX-like power connectors, which 
> don't seem HS.
> 
> > offer the best of both worlds if blade servers and discreet 
> rackable servers.
> 
> I still don't really understand why blades are considered 
> attractive...
> 
> > I make this 32 cores in 2U - heck of a lot of CPU power. If 
> you could
> 
> same as a pair of dual-node 1U's though.  there might be some 
> power savings, as well, though (93% sounds great, but given 
> that each node is probably
> >350W, it seems like the 2x1.2KW PSU would be operating at <60% 
> >capacity...)
> 
> > stand the racket it would sit nicely
> > under your desk.
> 
> wouldn't the 1.4 KW dissipation be a concern in most any office?


Depends on what your local climate is.  If you are in Cleveland (where it is -3C (27F) right now), it might be nice to have. Otoh, in Perth, where 36C is forecast, perhaps not.