Building a CPU Cruncher

[zombie67]

Z, one question. Can those minis run Windows natively?

Yes. Bootcamp.

If you go the mac mini route, be sure to get the latest gen.

[Fire$torm]

So no direct install of Windows? It's a hardware thing, yes?

[zombie67]

Eh? No, you can boot into either OS. Again, why you would want to boot win is baffling. Live in OSX, and use a VM for anything else you need.

[Fire$torm]

I am just not, in any shape form or fashion, interested in anything Apple. Sorry. Been this way since DOS 3.3.

[John P. Myers]

Instead of a Mac Mini, you could look at the Gigabyte Brix or the Zotac Zbox

Sent from my Galaxy S4 using Tapatalk Pro

[zombie67]

Instead of a Mac Mini, you could look at the Gigabyte Brix or the Zotac Zbox

Sent from my Galaxy S4 using Tapatalk Pro

Yes, those are similar alternatives, but more expensive.

[Maxwell]

After reading all this feedback, I've been torn. What should I do?

Well, fortunes smiled, and Craigslist came a-calling. For $700, I've managed to pick up two i7-950s with 6950s and 24Gb of RAM. And yes, you're reading that right. One machine, i7-950, 650W PSU, 1x6950, 24GB RAM, for $350. Except I'm buying two of them. So 16 threads, plus 2 6950s for $350. Holy crap did I luck out...

[zombie67]

Sweet find!

[Fire$torm]

Sweet!

[denim]

Hold the phone, Mac Mini farm.... Sounds fun and more stable than windows. Maxwell, willing to sell the second CL box?