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Searching for the fastest processor to run Linux

idata
Employee
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Working on a project where we have maximum $30k to purchase a server/workstation. We need the fastest processor we can buy to execute Fortran applications. Parallel processing nor graphics are of our interest; this is sequential processing, CPU intensive.

We will be using Linux as OS, probably Ubunto (Red Hat or Suze: One that comes with the Fortran compiler included).

We have not been able to find a good white paper comparing processors for workstations/servers. Based on what we're finding in Internet, it looks as though Itanium is the fastest processor, but we're not finding many servers/workstations in the market with Itanium. (Realize that we'll be purchasing the equipment in Venezuela).

On the other hand, we're not clear if Itanium -for the kind of applications we have- will be faster than Xeon processors, which have been in the market much longer.

Anyone knows where I can find a good processor comparison white paper? Any thoughts on Itanium vs Xeon in the context explained above?

thank you to whoever can help!

Morella

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idata
Employee
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The newest Itanium chips are far behind in there development vs the Xeon's.

Your best bet would be to get a W3580, this runs at 3.6Ghz with a single thread.

Just an example from Spec.org:

Fujitsu Celsius M470 Specfp2006 (Xeon W3580) = 42.0 points

HP Intergrity RX2660 (Itanium2 1.66Ghz) = 20.4 points

http://www.spec.org/cpu2006/results/res2009q3/cpu2006-20090803-08315.html http://www.spec.org/cpu2006/results/res2009q3/cpu2006-20090803-08315.html

http://www.spec.org/cpu2006/results/res2007q4/cpu2006-20071015-02285.html http://www.spec.org/cpu2006/results/res2007q4/cpu2006-20071015-02285.html

The fp benchmarks include fortan tests.

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