Just bought an Intel i-7 4th generation machine

[Davenkay]

My old celeron machine did not work, so I bought a dell 8700 with the i-7 4th generation chip. Did I do the right thing or was there a better choice I could have made? Is there help or advice available to set this thing up for folding? BTWi my internet connection is 50 down/25 up. Should I get a faster connection?

 

[mackman]

I've got a I-7 and for multitasking video editing and the likes nothing beats it . In regards to your connection you should be good.

 

[loft]

The i7 chipset is fine for casual folding. It's a great cpu in any generation. It costs substantially more to build a system capable of putting out lots of work.

 

[Rickajho]

Connection speed is only relevant to downloading your jobs and uploading them once completed. Has no impact at all on the work actually being done.

 

[Davenkay]

Thanks for the information. I'm a little disappointed that the chip won't do a lot of work. Can you tell me what I need to get so I can go and have one built that fold like a scalded cat? I'm not a computer guy. I just want to maximize the effort of the team.

 

[loft]

Thanks for the information. I'm a little disappointed that the chip won't do a lot of work. Can you tell me what I need to get so I can go and have one built that fold like a scalded cat? I'm not a computer guy. I just want to maximize the effort of the team.

It would cost you ~1000 - 1500, and you would need to know a little bit about Linux or be able to follow instructions. You wouldn't be able to do anything except fold with it unless you went with a 2p system (Windows limitation is two physical cpu's)

[Guide] Building a 2P/4P; From Start To Finish - Along with PPD Benchmarks & Gallery is a good resource for hardware.

 

[Davenkay]

Loft- Thanks for the information. I'm going to start getting a folding machine made, because i want to be of some use to society and help in this great research effort. Anyway, as of this morning I have completed 5 units in a day and a half. Thanks for your help.

 

[Thrasher]

a good cheaper investment to get more productivity from folding is one(or two) of the better video cards. run work units on them, and then use some of the cpu cores to run an extra one.

 

[Davenkay]

Thanks Thrasher. Is there a "how to" anywhere I can read on what to buy and how to set it up. Or get a pro to set up form me?