Recommendations On Supercomputing Hardware?

dameon asks: "I have been asked by my supervisor to select a replacement for our current SGI Onyx2 space heater. The current setup contains 24-195 Mhz IP27 processors, 12GB main memory, and around 140 GB of total storage space. We use it to run a bunch of CFD (computational fluid dynamics) code. Currently the demand on our system is so much that the jobs are backing up. So, they came to me with two quotes and said: "Which one is better?" I have had limited experience in the field of powerhouse number-crunchers. The two quotes I have received are from HP and SGI. SGI's quote is for: an Origin 3400 with 12 GB Memory, 24-400MHz/8MB R12K's, and 1/2 TB of storage space. HP is offering 3 9000 series N-4000's adding up to about the same specs in total, with the exception of the processors. Hp is offering 550 MHz PA8600's (1.5MB) processors in their setup (it also has more storage space setup with a hyperfabric configuration). All of the software we use will run on both platforms. So, I would like to put this to the Slashdot community: Which one is better?"

"The HP system is freaky expensive, but is the extra 150 MHz/processor worth the extra money? What else do I need to take into consideration? SGI's processors (while slower) have more cache. Overall, what do I need to look out for when spending this much money? What is the best deal? Am I missing another possible solution altogether? And yes, I already suggested a cluster of linux boxes similar to the one at Los Alamos, but the apps we use have no Linux support."

Comments

We like SGI's (and Suns)

[jayteedee]

We do some heavy CFD work at my employeer too (Orbital Science Corporation). In the past, we have stuck with the SGI's after getting samples from each manufacturer and reviewing all of the offerings. SGI was bested only by the DEC Alpha machines (nothing like raw clock cycles), but the future (2 years ago) looked a little bleak for the Alphas, so we went with SGI's. They have held up well, and bely their meager clock cycles. SGI systems are always tuned to work as a system, and with CFD you are going to need it. High speed access to memory, cache, etc. Given the specs you mentioned, I would think the performance would be a wash (my 'educated' guess), so I would definately go with the lower price. I can't imagine you could go wrong. The newer PC on my desk is technically spec'd out to be twice as fast on a Mhz basis, but the SGI will absolutely clobber the PC on large computationally heavy Matlab scripts run on both machines. We are starting to comtemplate our next upgrade, and are leaning towards the UltraSparc III's. We have some beefy II's around here and they are doing real well. I'd at least look at Sun's offerings.