64-bit

I have converted most of my machines used for distributed computing to 64-bit operating systems. I and others have discovered that a x64 OS will boost production (i.e. generate more points on a daily basis). A year or so ago, this was not really needed since BOINC (the distributed computing client that I use) was available only as a 32-bit program. But there is a 64-bit version now. I have found that the x64 client, combined with a x64 OS, will increase production by 10-15%.

Server 2008

One of my machines used for distributed computing is now running on Windows Server 2008 (Release Candidate 0). The operating system will be officially released in late February. It runs BOINC, CPU-Z and the CoreTemp program just fine. One of the main features of Server 2008 is its virtualization capabilities. I have not had a chance to play with the OS. As soon as it was installed, I immediately put it to work on distributed computing.

Q6600

I will be building another system soon. It will be used for distributed computing only. I ordered a Q6600 quad-core (G0 stepping) and an Abit IP35 Pro. I've heard good things about the Abit board, so I will give it a try.

Thanks to the cooler weather, I can run my machines at slightly higher speeds. During the summer, the room temperature got unbearable at times. Computers generate more heat than people think. In an effort to conserve energy, I tried not to use the A/C a lot. But now, that's not a problem. My cat spends more time with me because the room where I have my systems running is the warmest one in the house. Cats always know the coolest and warmest places when they want to take a nap.

Upgrading

There are so many new microprocessors coming out that it's difficult to decide whether to upgrade soon, or wait. Intel's Harpertown (server) and Yorkfield (desktop) chips look very good. But Nehalem will be coming out next year. It will have an onboard memory controller and up to 8 cores per die with two threads per core. That's 16 threads on a single chip! Decisions, decisions. For now, I think I'll wait until the dust settles. The dual Clovertown rig is doing really well. Load temperatures have dropped a lot since the cooler weather arrived.

Cooler weather

The weather is finally starting to cool down in my area. Highs have been around 80F, versus 100F a few weeks ago. Load temperatures on my crunching machines have really dropped, in some cases by 10 degrees.

Cinebench 10

There's a new version of Cinebench which is a rendering benchmark program. Decided to see what my dual Clovertowns at 3092MHz were capable of. OS is Server 2003 x64.

Clovertown

I now have dual Clovertowns running in my Supermicro system. At full load (folding) the CPU temps range from 57-63C. This is in a warm room (ambient temp between 80 and 85F). When the room temperature drops into the low 70's, the CPU temp is 48-53C. Using air cooling. The CPU's are currently running at 3GHz, with the side panel of the case off. Temps jump 3-4 degrees with the side panel on.

I have not done much upgrading lately. Been busy with other things. I'm looking forward to the arrival of Intel's Penryn-based processors. Not sure when I'll do my next upgrade.

Interior

Here is a look inside my UFO case with the Asus P5K Deluxe, Thermalright Ultra-120 eXtreme and two Scythe Minebea fans in push-pull configuration. The fan above the heatsink is used to cool the mosfets which get very hot. I have the fan positioned so it also blows some air on the memory modules. I have since added another 2GB of DDR2-800, so system now runs on 4GB. The additional memory seems to help a little.

Comeback

One of my favorite singers has been making a comeback. Onitsuka Chihiro stopped performing and recording music a few years ago, apparently due to mental exhaustion. Earlier this year, she began a comeback, performing at a Tokyo concert. She later released a new single titled "Everyhome". Hope to hear more from her in the future.

Very hot

This past week was very hot. 106F on the Fourth of July and 108F the following day. My new computer held up better than I did.

Crucial has been having a rebate sale on its Ballistix memory. Too good to pass up, so I bought some. DDR2 prices will probably rise again, so if you need memory, now is the time to buy.

Update

A happy Fourth of July to everyone. Last weekend I installed my Asus P5K Deluxe system in my Mountain Mods case. I first had to remove a lot of dust that had accumulated on the old system. So far, the new system seems okay. I've had some network connectivity problems, but I believe they are router-related.

Regarding my health, I've had a lot fewer cramps since the weather turned warm. But my doctor says my thyroid levels are still low, so he prescribed a stronger dose of the pill I take daily. One of the symptoms of low hormone levels is fatigue. At the end of the day I often feel very tired. Hopefully the stronger medicine dose will give me more energy.

Fans

The quality of case fans appears to be getting better. Many are quieter, but still blow a lot of air. One of my recent favorites is the 120mm Scythe S-Flex. It uses a fluid bearing developed by Sony. The "F" model has an air flow rate of 64 CFM and a noise level of 28 dBA which isn't that bad in my book. I recently purchased some Scythe Minebea fans which blow a little more air (76 CFM @ 31 dBA). The Minebea's cost more, but are supposed to last up to 180,000 hours. That's over 20 years! Minebea is a Japanese company and the largest producer of small ball bearings in the world. It's involved in a joint venture with Matsushita Electric to make fans.

Hot

The hot weather has finally arrived in my area. This will be the first real test of my computers that are doing full-time folding. I hate running the A/C all the time. May have to use a few extra 120mm fans to keep the machines running cool.

Testing

I've put together another quad-core system using a Kentsfield and the P5K Deluxe. The mosfets on the board get very hot. Active cooling is a must. So far, no problems. At 3.2GHz and 1.4v, temps are 46-47C (according to Asus Probe) with 100% load. At 3.4GHz and 1.43v, I'm getting 51C. The CPU will also do 3.5GHz with 1.45v. Have not tested any higher than that. Weather is just too hot right now. Using a Thermalright Ultra-120 eXtreme with fans in a push-pull configuration.

Components:

QX6700 B3
Asus P5K Deluxe
Super Talent DDR2-800 (2x1GB)
Thermalright Ultra-120 eXtreme
Silverstone OP650
Cheap VGA card (for testing purposes only)

Cheap memory

If you're planning to upgrade your computer, now is a good time to do it. RAM prices have fallen dramatically over the past six months because of an oversupply of memory chips. You can find really nice 2GB kits like the Super Talent DDR2-800 modules shown above for around $100. Last December, the same kit would have cost more than $200.

Tomatoes

I love growing tomatoes. They taste so much better than the ones in the supermarket. I have about four plants this year. I like the common varieties like Early Girl. Freshly-picked tomatoes have a lot more flavor and they just melt in your mouth.

A few more iris plants are also blooming. It's always a good idea to select plants that bloom at various times of the year (early spring, late spring, summer). That way you'll always have something to look forward to. The peonies are usually the first to bloom, followed by my Japanese iris, etc.

P5K Deluxe

It's been awhile since I ordered a new motherboard. Going to give the Asus P5K Deluxe a try. The P35 chipset is supposed to be pretty good, though not light years ahead of the P965. Will mate the board with another quad-core and Crucial Ballistix. Stay tuned!

More Japanese Iris

More Japanese iris plants are blooming.

Push-Pull

I added a second S-Flex fan for a push-pull configuration on the Ultra-120 eXtreme. This seems to have helped. Temps have dropped a few degrees. Another person who has the same heatsink has come up with a way to make it fit tighter. He placed a piece of cardboard under the X-bracket that holds the heatsink in place. I have not tried this yet since the clamp I'm using now seems to work okay.

New cooler

Here's a look at the Ultra-120 eXtreme installed. Hard to do a direct comparison with the Tuniq Tower because I'm using different fans. Attached to the heatsink is a Scythe S-Flex 120mm fan. Seems quieter than the Tuniq's internal fan. Temps are reasonable. In a hot room (temp probably around 90F), I was getting 57-58C temps with 100% load on my quad-core. Board is the Asus P5B Deluxe. I have a Jing-Ting chipset cooler on the northbridge. Have to move the graphics card to the second slot. But this is a folding rig, so I'm not too concerned about video quality.

The only real negative is the cooler can be wiggled around, even after the screws are tightened down. I have the board set up on my metal benching platform. A clamp puts downward pressure on the heatsink. I think this helps a little.