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Price-Performance Ratios
Using measured performance on systems such as RoadRunner and LosLobos,
we can make good estimates of the price performance ratios for various
systems that we could construct. These estimates are based on component
prices at PriceWatch on October 31,
2000. Each bare-bones node is configured with 64 MB of ECC memory (quite
lean) and a 4.3 GB hard drive. Additional memory should be available now
for <$1/MB. A RoadRunner style node has 450 MHz PII processors and a LosLobos
style node has 733 MHz PIII processors. Node costs are summarized below.
| Node |
Price ($) |
| RR level: 1 CPU |
325 |
| RR level: 2 CPUs |
527 |
LL level: 1 CPU |
634 |
LL level; 2 CPUs |
878 |
Fast Ethernet is the commodity network, but the switch prices do not scale
linearly with size. The sweet spot is 24-40 ports.
Myrinet, is more expensive
and has higher performance. Up to 128 ports, it's price does scale linearly
with the number of ports.
The quotes I got from Giganet a year
ago were not price competetive; however, I requested a quote recently and
the discount offered was high enough so that Giganet is less expensive
than Myrinet.
I have been told that QSnet would cost
about $3,000 - $3,500 per port. They don't seem eager to do direct sales
to cluster builders.
| Network |
Price per port($) |
| Fast Ethernet: 32 ports |
56 |
| Fast Ethernet: 72 ports |
185 |
Fast Ethernet: 144 ports |
240 |
Myrinet <=128 ports |
1527 |
Using measured performance on RoadRunner and Los Lobos, we can predict
the cost effectiveness of these systems and compare with supercomputers.
A caveat about the supercomputers is that many of these quotes are old
(and you may be able to negotiate a better discount).
| Computer (date of quote) |
$/MF |
| RR level: 1 CPU, FE (10/00) |
7-15 |
| RR level: 1 CPU, Myrinet (10/00) |
28-31 |
| RR level: 2 CPUs, FE (10/00) |
8-19 |
| RR level: 2 CPUs, Myrinet (10/00) |
20-23 |
| LL level: 1 CPU, FE (10/00) |
11-17 |
| LL level: 1 CPU, Myrinet (10/00) |
20-22 |
| LL level; 2 CPUs, Myrinet (10/00) |
16-21 |
| 64-nodes SGI Origin 250 MHz(2/99) |
193 |
| 44 nodes Cray T3E (2/99) |
480 |
256 node IBM Power 3 SP (2/00)
--with estimated discount
|
166
91
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| 64 CPU Compaq Alpha Server SC |
150 |
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