Snapshot of costs for higher-end computers, including compute cluster systems. Contact ChemIT to discuss your needs.

Pricing example for 24 cores

You want 24 cores. Here are some options, and prices as of Jan 2014.

Basics: Each chip is 6 cores. More cores/ chip are available, but much more expensive. (Ex. 8 core is twice the price.)

Each option has total of 128GB RAM. And 4TB of HD storage over 2 hard drives.

Spec's choose to allow an apples-to-apples price comparison. You may need different specs, once you select a top-level option.

Top-level options	Cost	Price analysis	Notes
Typical compute cluster nodes 2 computers in one 1U rack-mount. 24 cores, 128GB RAM, 4TB storage.	$5K	Getting 24 cores on chips spread over 2 computers represents good value.	4 chips, 2 on each of 2 motherboards.
Single computer, rack-mount. 24 cores, 128GB RAM, 4TB storage.	$8.5K	To get similar power merged into a single system, pay extra: ~$1,900 for 4-capable chips upgrade ~$1,600 for 4-capable motherboard upgrade	4 chips, but on one single motherboard. Those chips are twice the price. Chip price is $890ea, or a full $480ea more than chi
Singe computer, desktop (but noisy and hot!) 24 cores, 128GB RAM, 4TB storage.	$9.5K		Again, 4 chips, but on one single motherboard. Those chips are twice the price. Chip price is $890ea, or a full $480ea more than chi

Base data

Confirm limiting factor by using CISER's service to help tune where to invest (cores, RAM, hard drives space).
Cut down on hard drive space by using file server space, in certain situations.
Merge your investment into an existing cluster. Shared resources cost much less than standing up your own, small cluster.