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Makes sense - a few weeks after Intel released Granite Rapids (their latest server chips), AMD released Epyc Turin with 40% better multi-core performance for th

Makes sense - a few weeks after Intel released Granite Rapids (their latest server chips), AMD released Epyc Turin with 40% better multi-core performance for the top-end chips (Intel 6980 vs. Epyc 9755, both 128 cores) - and not only that, but AMD was much cheaper. This price drop brings Intel 6980 from $17k to $12k, exactly matching the corresponding AMD 9755 price. Without the price reduction, Intel’s price per performance would be completely uncompetitive. Curious if anyone has had success building dual socket GNR or Turin servers at home - seems motherboard availability is limited for retail customers. Also curious if anyone still sees Intel outperformance in any context, eg relating to AVX-512 or MKL workloads.

a012 2y ago
It’s crazy for someone would have a Turin set up at home now as the TCO would cost more than a car, and also have to deal with power supply and cooling.
- highfrequency 2y ago
  256 cores = much more fun than a car!
  - bayindirh 2y ago
    Well, I'll say it depends, even if the car is out of the picture. 256 cores can be 256 levels of misery depending on where and how you install it. :)
- schmookeeg 2y ago
  Not a very good car. :) Some of us get crazy with our homelabs. The love of technology is enough of a motivator. It's cold in my office today. I'm considering that I could use more cores, crunch some ML stuff locally instead of in the cloud, and solve two problems at once. The thermostat for the heater is allllll the way downstairs after all :D
bayindirh 2y ago
> Also curious if anyone still sees Intel outperformance in any context, eg relating to AVX-512 or MKL workloads. Taking advantage CPU architecture still goes a long way. Yes, AMD is generally faster in SPEC and general purpose loads (and I root for AMD since forever), but when you write your application with a target microarchitecture, the results can be completely different. We have some scientific applications where newer versions work slower than previous versions on older hardware, but the situation completely changes if you compile both on a period-correct hardware for the newer version. ASM/Hand tuning is both a blessing and a curse.

a012 2y ago

It’s crazy for someone would have a Turin set up at home now as the TCO would cost more than a car, and also have to deal with power supply and cooling.

highfrequency 2y ago
256 cores = much more fun than a car!
- bayindirh 2y ago
  Well, I'll say it depends, even if the car is out of the picture. 256 cores can be 256 levels of misery depending on where and how you install it. :)
schmookeeg 2y ago
Not a very good car. :) Some of us get crazy with our homelabs. The love of technology is enough of a motivator. It's cold in my office today. I'm considering that I could use more cores, crunch some ML stuff locally instead of in the cloud, and solve two problems at once. The thermostat for the heater is allllll the way downstairs after all :D

bayindirh 2y ago

> Also curious if anyone still sees Intel outperformance in any context, eg relating to AVX-512 or MKL workloads. Taking advantage CPU architecture still goes a long way. Yes, AMD is generally faster in SPEC and general purpose loads (and I root for AMD since forever), but when you write your application with a target microarchitecture, the results can be completely different. We have some scientific applications where newer versions work slower than previous versions on older hardware, but the situation completely changes if you compile both on a period-correct hardware for the newer version. ASM/Hand tuning is both a blessing and a curse.