[clug] workstation for processing MRI data

Fri Aug 4 22:56:24 GMT 2006

Hi Paul,

Wow! That's a great help. This is pretty much all the information I
needed. How did you choose the graphic card. I have had difficult
experiences with graphic cards in the past under linux and I am very keen
to avoid one that will require non-standard installation?

Thanks

Nic

> Nicolas Cherbuin wrote:
>> Thanks to those who have responded to my query. It does not look as if
>> I will gain much with a 64 bit machine and a cluster is way above my
>> head.
> It depends on the software you're using.  If it doesn't already support
> running in some parallel framework - PVM or MPI are the two main 'open
> source' ones - then clustering is a no-go.  If it does support one of
> these frameworks then you're in with a chance.
>
>> I am still wondering if somebody would have a specific
>> motherboard/processor combination to recommend that could accommodate
>> 8 gigs of RAM and is particularly good.
> I'd recommend the Tyan Opteron motherboards, myself.  I'm running a
> cheap one - 'cheap' here means that it's sharing the memory between all
> the processors, rather than giving each processor its own RAM to use.
> The Tyans range from workstation to high-end servers - you can get
> four-way Opteron boards, for instance.  (I prefer Opterons because Xeons
> are all 64-bit, rather than allowing 64-bit and 32-bit simultaneously,
> and are too expensive and run very hot.)  The motherboard I'm running
> has 4GB in it and is steady as a rock.
>
>> Also, is it feasible/worthwhile to get a 64 bit machine and run it
>> initially with a 32 bit OS (linux) as a way of future proofing? Drew
>> gave a link for distributions that are planning a mix of 32 and 64 bit
>> applications but given my knowledge of linux and time restrictions I
>> cannot deal with something too new and potentially unstable.
> I'm puzzled by this question.  I'm running the x86_64 version of Fedora
> Core 5 with no problems.  It will run 32-bit apps at the same time as
> 64-bit ones, so the architecture doesn't really limit you to one or the
> other.  About the only minor problem is that you can't use the Flash
> plugin for your 64-bit browser, but that's a blessing in disguse half
> the time.
>
> Again, the question really comes down to what your application
> requires.  A quick look at the Freesurfer site and doing a couple of
> searches for things like 'Freesurfer MPI' show that it's a single-thread
> application.  This means that having more than one core will only buy
> you a tiny amount of speedup for the application (the other CPU will be
> handling all the other system work, which on a single-app system is
> probably less than 1% time).  If your usage is simply to process one
> scan at a time, it looks like your best bet will be to buy the fastest
> processor that you can.  So getting a quad-way system is right out.
>
> If you get e.g. a dual-core or dual-CPU machine, you can run two
> Freesurfer processes simultaneously - processing the results of one scan
> while you visualise another, for instance.  Given the price/performance
> ratio of high-end processors, I personally think you're better spending
> your money on a dual-processor or dual-core machine: two Opteron 250s
> (2.4GHz) cost less than a single Opteron 254 (2.8GHz) that is only 16%
> faster.  If you're efficient about using CPU time, the first run will be
> 16% slower but the next run will be effectively instant (for an overall
> saving of 83% time...).
>
> A quick pricing exercise (which I always enjoy) on AusPC Market says a
> fast system is going to cost $4500 ex tax; $2000 of this is in 8GB of
> fast RAM.  I'd start off with e.g. 4GB of RAM and see how that goes,
> myself.  The costing can be seen at
> http://biojanus.anu.edu.au/~paulway/Nicholas_Cherbuin_system.pdf.  I'm
> not affiliated with AusPC Market, I just buy stuff from them.
>
> HTH,
>
> Paul
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>> Nic
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>    I am researching hardware specification for a workstation that will
>>    be used to process resource intensive MRI data (3D brain imaging)
>>    using the OSS Freesurfer running under linux. I am wondering if some
>>    of us have had similar requirements (particularly in image
>>    manipulation) and what their choices have been.
>>
>>    The guys producing Freesurfer recommend  greater CPU speed and RAM
>>    (min 2gig, 4gigs recommended) with normal specs for HD drives. Given
>>    that with these specs the processing of one scan can take 18 hours,
>>    I am keen to get more than the minimum. I have to process
>>    potentially hundreds of scan but at least in the tens.
>>
>>    I was thinking of getting at least a dual core Athlon 4800? and 8
>>    gig of ram and use Fedora  for simplicity (I am not a linux expert).
>>    Budget is around $3-5000 possibly more if it can be justified.
>>
>>    I am trying to answer the following questions:
>>
>>    1. If I get a 64 bit processor will it make much difference and will
>>    I still be able to run 32 bit software (freesurfer is supported in
>>    64bits architectures). what processor should I choose?
>>    2. What sort of motherboard should I choose and do some support 2 x
>>    dual core chips?
>>    3. The graphics card needs to support openGL but does not need to be
>>    especially good. Which card is going to provide least trouble under
>>    linux?
>>
>>    Any comments would be appreciated
>>
>>
>>
>
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