Most powerful in what way? Quite a lot depends on the jobs you're going to run. - To run CPU-bound jobs, more CPUs is better. (Even though R doesn't do threading, you can manually split some CPU-bound jobs in several parts and run them simultaneously.) Apart from multiple CPUs and hyperthreading, check the new dual-core CPUs. - To run very large jobs, more memory is better. You can easily spend most of your money on memory. Get the fastest one. - You should get 64-bit CPUs, otherwise you won't be able to run very large jobs (search the list for details).
I would suggest that you buy a configuration that can handle more CPUs and memory than you think you need now (say, at least 4 max CPUs and 16 GB max memory), then keep on adding more memory and CPUs as your needs change. hth, b. > -----Original Message----- > From: Jia-Shing So [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Wednesday, August 31, 2005 10:03 PM > To: r-help@stat.math.ethz.ch > Cc: Phuoc Hong > Subject: [R] Linux Standalone Server Suggestions for R > > > Hi All, > > My group is looking for any suggestions on what to purchase to > achieve the most powerful number crunching system that $50k > can buy. > The main application that will be used is R so input on what > hardware > benefits R most will be appreciated. The requirements are > that it be > a single standalone server (i.e. not a cluster solution), and > it that > must be able to run unix/linux. If anyone has any experience/ > suggestions regarding the following questions that would also be > greatly appreciated. > > AMD vs Intel chips, especially 64-bit versions of the two? > Using Itanium/Opterons and if so how much of a performance boost did > you achieve vs other 64-bit chip sets? > Also, does anyone know if there is an upper thresh hold on much > memory R can use? > > Thanks in advance for any help and suggestions, > > Jia-Shing So > Programmer Analyst > Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Lab > University of California, San Diego > > ______________________________________________ > R-help@stat.math.ethz.ch mailing list > https://stat.ethz.ch/mailman/listinfo/r-help > PLEASE do read the posting guide! > http://www.R-project.org/posting-guide.html > ______________________________________________ R-help@stat.math.ethz.ch mailing list https://stat.ethz.ch/mailman/listinfo/r-help PLEASE do read the posting guide! http://www.R-project.org/posting-guide.html