Xeon X5650 Cluster Build for Renderfarming

pringleman · Sep 13, 2015

So I'm getting ready to build a renderfarm and then I came across the X5650 processor and learning of their low cost.
What I am really trying to aim for is speed for Mental ray distributed/network rendering. Also After FX rendering.

I was toying with single 5820k 6 core build but NOT going this route (with the option of upgrading my current amd fx8350-) Will give me cine-bench ratings that I am really trying to go for and that is 3000 and above. This will get my current frame times from 50 minutes at 2k Res down to 55secs to 2mins proposed.

I can currently get 2 X5650 (4 processors) builds with plenty of change left over for a third modern system (4 core i7 maybe) My only problem now is knowledge on the Server systems. I have never used server type components and passive cooling and Power seems to be where I'm lacking answers.

I need brute force rendering power and don't need to use power hungry GPU's, what's the cheapest PSU I can get away with? And Can I use one PSU per build because I have noticed two 20 pin power inputs and don't know what they're for?? Is there anything I'm missing or need to know of before I take the plunge? Many thanks! James

My build list-

Supermicro X8DTT-F-SG007 REV 1.02
4GB DDR3 MEMORY RAM PC3-10600 ECC REG (12gb per build)
Xeon X5650 2.66GHz 12M Hex Core
Supermicro SNK-P0037P 1U Heatsink for Xeon Processor 5500 and 5600 Series

500GB SATA 2.5" 7200RPM Hard Drive
Server rack case

kanewolf · Sep 13, 2015

First the cooling ISN'T passive. It is active with the fans in the case pushing or pulling air from the front of the case through the case to the back. 1U or 2U server cases have a lot of very high speed noisy fans to do just this.

Of all the motherboards for that CPU I would NOT have picked the one you chose. It is for a very high density configuration. If you look at the SuperMicro web page for that board -- http://www.supermicro.com/products/motherboard/QPI/5500/X8DTT-F.cfm you will see a list of recommended chassis.

Obviously you will need OS for these servers. I assume you are thinking Linux. You will need a network to connect these and shared storage.

You say you don't want "power hungry GPUs", but those Xeons are pretty power hungry also -- 95W each. If your software can use GPU rendering, a 980GPU might have more performance with much less hassle.

pringleman · Sep 13, 2015

kanewolf :

Hi, what do you mean high density?

And I don't think GPU rendering is an option yet. I will be using Linux. Power wise I am not fussed as long as I can get renders in quick enough time. Am i right in saying 200watts,

My 8350 when over clocked get's close to that so that's what I'm basing things off.

kanewolf · Sep 13, 2015

Is the picture shown on the Supermicro page what your motherboard looks like? If so, then it is built to have two of those in a single chassis. See the example chassis that are on the page I linked.

pringleman · Sep 13, 2015

kanewolf :

I plan on building two of those and putting them into a single 1U chassis. so I'll have 4 processors total.

kanewolf · Sep 13, 2015

I would definitely recommend a 2U chassis. The height allows larger fan diameter which can spin slower and the heatsinks to be taller. A chassis should have appropriate power supplies included.

Those CPUs are triple memory channel. So you want multiples of 3 DIMMs / socket. You original post showed 12GB / build -- Ideally you want 12GB / socket.

pringleman · Oct 6, 2015

Update to this build, components have come -

Link to thread about customizing the PSU to work with server type pin layout - http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/answers/id-2820055/custom-psu-server-mother-board.html

bambiboom · Oct 6, 2015

pringleman :

pringleman,

Sorry to jump in at this late date, but I'm a bit confused by some of the choices for your proposed render farm, especially as regards the use of a server motherboard, which requires a special chassis and power supply. Why wasn't this built as a workstation? This could accommodate dual X5650's and using conventional PSU and configuration still have the same performance- and much quieter.

Supermicro still makes an LGA1366 "Superworkstation" and all you have to do is plug in the CPU's, RAM, GPU(s), RAID controller, and drives:

http://www.supermicro.com.tw/products/system/tower/7036/SYS-7036A-T.cfm

There are several LGA1366 models, this one has a server quality X8 m/b, uses 96GB of DDR3-1333 ECC, 665W PSU, and has 4-hot swap drive bays. To this, add a fast LSI RAID controller for 6GB/s disk- and is rated to be very quiet. I've never known a server that didn't have to be kept in a separate space for noise reasons.

Much faster to complete, a few hours instead of days. Just an idea for next time.

The way I've approached rendering is to buy a used Dell Precision and upgrade it. The current one is a T5500 with a X5680 (6-core @ 3.33 /3.6GHz), 24GB RAM, Quadro K2200, Samsung 840 /WD 1TB and PERC H310 controller- all for about $1,000. The rendering is fast enough I'm debating whether I need the 2nd CPU.

Cheers,

BambiBoom

HP z420> Xeon E5-1660 v2 (6-core @ 3.7 /4.0GHz) / 32GB DDR3-1866, Quardo K4200, Intel 730 480GB / WD Black 1TB > Win 7 Pro > 2X 27" Dell Ultrasharp

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