[Beowulf] RE: Capitalization Rates - How often should you replace a cluster? (resent - 1st sending wasn't posted ).

[Mike Davis]

Lux, James P wrote:
>
> On 1/19/09 11:14 PM, "Jon Aquilina" <eagles051387 at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>   
>> in all honesty is there a need really to replace the cluster. why not just add
>> onto it?
>>
>>     
>
> 1) If all the processors work at the same speed, it's "easier" to distribute
> work among them, especially if there are synchronization steps periodically,
> where all the work quanta need to be aligned and redistributed for the next
> step.
>
> 2) Newer machines do more computing/kWh of electricity, in general, so it
> reduces operating costs.
>   

Another reason to replace machines is upkeep and staff time. Older 
machines fail more often and require more attention than newer ones.