Re: [Linux-ia64] Itanium gets supercomputing software

David Mosberger
2003-04-11T21:35:07Z

>>>>> On Fri, 11 Apr 2003 14:25:16 -0700, Grant Grundler <iod00d@hp.com> said:

Grant> Anyway, my point still stands, comparing a "server" (rackable, remote console)
Grant> with a "workstation" (3D gfx, sound, DVD-ROM) has alot of variables and
Grant> different folks value these things differently. But even here, I would
Grant> guess the difference in CPU perf alone is 2x or more by most measures.
Grant> Yes, I know the price is 3x but other things make zx2000 attract to
Grant> a different set of customers (like linux support).

Also, don't forget memory bandwidth.

The zx2000 is a very nice workstation. Granted, it's not $1k, but it
doesn't perform like a Multia either! And yes, it's quiet, too (I use
one as my main workstation these days... ;-)

As for what the future holds, I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
Remember though: just a year ago, the cheapest ia64 workstation you
could get was priced at $7k+. This year, you can get a zx2000 for
$3k+, so, judging from where I sit, prices certainly are coming down.

--david