Found a new 2K7 article

[DW_ToxicWaste]

Defiant, that is jaw-droppingly awesome. I had always tinkered with the idea of opening a gaming cafe, but you are doing it to the third power! I'm really honored that you will be pimping SV. There's really only one thing any true admin ever wants and that's people plying on his server, and I can say I'm truly blessed to have so many people who enjoy playing on this one.

I have to add Las Vegas to the poll. I think we'll be renting out your place for the lan party :cheers:

Now, back to the scary requirements. Here's the dilemna.

Keep in mind for this discussion, the goal is to run 64 player ONS.

First of all, using anything other than a high end FX or a high end Opteron is out of the question, unless someone tests out some of the new Intel chips and confirms otherwise.
But even then, I'm sure it will require the high end there as well. Any lesser AMD chip will not handle it.

Right now, SV has 2.9 ghz available to itself. Which on some maps, it uses every last mhz. So we can say 32=2.9.

Forgetting dual processing for a minute, lets say 2k7 will require more, say 3.2, or 3.4, or even 3.6 for 32 players.

So now simple math tells you that you need 3.6*2 for 64 players. Which again, is not entirely true, but for sake of argument, let's go with that.

Now, when you bring multi processing into the equation, it may change a little, but if the bottom line is that each set of 32 players required 3.6 Ghz of work at it's max, whether it's on one processor or two, you still need 7.2 GHZ of work done. I seriously doubt there will even be a 3.6 Ghz chip out by the time 2k7 rolls around. And if there is, it will cost a King's ransom. So dual processor machines will be out of the question.

The only option then, is quad processors or cores. You will need a quad JUST to run 64 players. At that point, you might be able to get away with slower CPUs but probably not that much slower. And quad capable CPUs or dual core CPUs cost much more.

Some side points:

Dual core does not mean dual processor. Dual cores are clocked slower than the current top of the line single cores., but obviously cost much more.

Dual cores do less work than dual processors. (i.e. a dual core FX-60 is probably more like running 2xFX-53. Still awesome, but not as great as two seperate chips.

Epic has been vague about how the threads will work. They hinted at having two threads only, which is certainly an improvement, but not the ideal.

I'm just pulling numbers out of my ass, but I think I'm probably pretty close on requirements. It could be that multi threading makes the processing much more efficient, and the requirements won't be as bad. But I don't think so, and that's why I'm worried. If it was a measly $500 upgrade, I wouldn't be, but if you look on Pricewatch, 2x280 Opterons will run you 2800 and provide a theoretical (but not actual) 2.4x4=9.6 ghz of work. Will that be enough? I don't know.

All of this may be not entirely accurate, as I could probably run 2 or 3 20 player ONS servers on that 2.9 GHS. Something strange happens @ 24 players. The CPU utilization rises exponentially. So I honestly don't know what will happen (and I don't think Epic has a clue what will happen) when you get 64 players in the same room. It may just not be physically possible to run that without quad dual cores, or even more.

Too many unknowns at this point, but all signs point to $$$


Rich

[DW_Wraith]

I cannot wait for UT2K7 to come out! When I go to Vegas, I will be on the look-out for that cafe!

[DW_Bomzin]

Well I see that Defiant is the man to come to when upgrading time comes around .... We'll be in touch :thumbup:

Hey any idea if they're bringin back the Ripper for 2007 . I think that was it's name . Blades that bounce man I miss that one.

[DW_ToxicWaste]

The ripper was actually UT99. It was never brought forward.

[DW_Bomzin]

Quad core proccesors due out late 2006. Been reading about whats to come seems the theory is to hold off tell late next year if you can to upgrade.

[Rock]

Defiant, this is why 2k7 scares the hell out of me, server side.

If I'm using cutting edge technology today to keep 32 players afloat, wtf am I going to need to keep 64 going?.

Just out of curiosity what are you using now?

[Rock]

Hey any idea if they're bringin back the Ripper for 2007 . I think that was it's name . Blades that bounce man I miss that one.

Is that how you lost your head?