LinuxQuestions.org
Help answer threads with 0 replies.
Go Back   LinuxQuestions.org > Forums > Linux Forums > Linux - General
User Name
Password
Linux - General This Linux forum is for general Linux questions and discussion.
If it is Linux Related and doesn't seem to fit in any other forum then this is the place.

Notices


Reply
  Search this Thread
Old 01-05-2005, 12:16 PM   #1
chutsu
Member
 
Registered: Nov 2003
Location: UK
Distribution: Debian Lenny
Posts: 255

Rep: Reputation: 31
Ok mini-itx are great but can you....


Apart from the cool factor, I saw the project in clustering mini-itx together, and I was wondering if you could cluster the mini-itx so that it is suitable for gaming?? Do you think its Ideal??
Thanks
Chris
 
Old 01-05-2005, 01:16 PM   #2
redgren
Member
 
Registered: Nov 2004
Distribution: Debian,Homebrew
Posts: 54

Rep: Reputation: 15
No, it is not ideal.. not even close. Clustering is used mainly for parallelizing computational tasks (think SETI and Protien Folding type stuff for a basic idea). It really is no good at all for intensive I/O that games require (video output, mostly). It will also cost quite a bit more to cluster multiple mini-itx boards than to spend that money on a high-end gaming system.
 
Old 01-05-2005, 02:07 PM   #3
acid_kewpie
Moderator
 
Registered: Jun 2001
Location: UK
Distribution: Gentoo, RHEL, Fedora, Centos
Posts: 43,417

Rep: Reputation: 1985Reputation: 1985Reputation: 1985Reputation: 1985Reputation: 1985Reputation: 1985Reputation: 1985Reputation: 1985Reputation: 1985Reputation: 1985Reputation: 1985
i think in time you'll see more itx board's being used in clusters. whilst most of the uses of mini-itx boards are actively seen in home entertainment systems etc... they are also rapidly developing into generic and readily available processing units. Half of VIA's mini-itx (and also now, nano-itx) form factor boards are clearly being developed for anonymity in a rack of dozens of identcial clones.

in practicality though.. nah, just get a high end system in the first place id say, unless you do have a source of identical boards at suitable prices. in which case.. i'll have some too.
 
Old 01-05-2005, 09:04 PM   #4
Travers
Member
 
Registered: Jul 2004
Location: Des Moines
Distribution: Gentoo
Posts: 111

Rep: Reputation: 15
VIA's MINI-ITX are some of the coolest pieces of technology I've seen around. Thier MICRO-ITX 12x12cm (Not the Mini-ITX, though those are like 17x17cm) board is about 2/3rds as long as a dollar bill on all 4 sides. Pull out a dollar and fold it so 2/3rds is showing. VIA has a mainboard with integrated processor, video, usb, everything! that is that size! So kick ass.

I saw that picture of the ITX cluster as well. You could run a OpenMosix cluster (far different from the SETI and proteing folding clusters, see http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...42#post1391042 for a better description.) But these ITX boards are not workhorses. They're small, and really cool, and range from a 400mhz to a 1.3mhz (the VIA embedded ones, I've seen MINI-ITX with socket 478 for modern Intel CPU's (northwood and prescott) though I would love to see someone stick an extreme edition in one, just for the fun of it. LOL! Though even a prescott will be limited by the small FSB and lack of PC 3200 ram support.

Clusteting these for gaming is not impossible but it won't work. First, games aren't written for clusters. The code has to be parallalized. (I suspect we will have a parallalized game some day.) Nor will a OpenMosix-type cluster help you at all, unless you are multi-tasking, see the above link.

Just buy a bitching system. =)
 
  


Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
What can you do with Mini-ITX boards chutsu Linux - Hardware 10 01-27-2006 03:33 PM
Any recommendations for a fanless mini-ITX? johnMG Linux - Hardware 3 03-13-2005 11:07 AM
VIA mini-itx server linuxpyro Linux - Hardware 3 10-30-2004 04:52 PM
I'm looking for a distribution that can do all this...(Mini-ITX and USB) phoenixofwater Linux - Distributions 8 10-03-2003 05:38 PM
Mini-ITX heartagram Linux - Hardware 2 09-21-2003 06:54 AM

LinuxQuestions.org > Forums > Linux Forums > Linux - General

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:46 AM.

Main Menu
Advertisement
My LQ
Write for LQ
LinuxQuestions.org is looking for people interested in writing Editorials, Articles, Reviews, and more. If you'd like to contribute content, let us know.
Main Menu
Syndicate
RSS1  Latest Threads
RSS1  LQ News
Twitter: @linuxquestions
Open Source Consulting | Domain Registration