PowerPC

[Sam H]

Does anybody think this type of system would be useful as a beowulf node?:
-dual 500mhz PowerPC 7410 w/ 2mb cache
-two SODIMM SDRAM slots
-onboard IDE ATA/100
-onboard nVidia GeForce2 Go graphics
-onboard 10/100/1000 ethernet
-netbootable without any system modification (OpenFirmware)

When programs are compiled correctly, and written with AltiVec instructions, theoretically up to 3.6 gigaflops can be acheived.  This system, 1U rackmount, under $2500 each.  Would this be a good idea for a beowulf?  I'm developing these as servers, and the thought came up to see if they would be a good idea.  I'd enjoy feedback.

Sam Harper
President, Tibernia
mudguy at speedfactory.net
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