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Processing Computer

TimPilot
in General
My old laptop is groaning under a 9 hour WBPP session. I think it is time to upgrade. I have read the minimum, and recommended, specs for a processing computer. Found a couple and wanted thoughts. To be honest at the cost the sound too good to be true which is why I am asking.

First, a smaller form factor desktop that looks to be quite powerful, https://www.newegg.com/p/2SW-002G-00002


Thoughts for use as a processing computer?

Comments

  • Ray Hansen
    Hi Tim,
    I think either of those options will work for you. I recently changed my Pix computer to a 5950, and it hasn't been the race horse I had hoped for, but its not bad. One consideration for you would be to use a small SSD for the OS and another, larger SSD for your applications. I started using a full frame camera last year and was amazed at how much storage space it eats. Diagnostics usually warns me WBPP will need 250gb or more. I'll be interested to see what anyone else has to add here.
  • TimPilot
    same here, I am presently running on a Lenovo Laptop with 8GB ram, so I am thinking anything would be better. I know it may be personal preference but would you go with the smaller form factor or the one with the full size case?
  • Ray Hansen
    If it didn't have to be mobile I'd do an ATX case just for the component flexibility. But it's your choice based on your own personal requirements. Don't forget neither come with an OS or input devices.
  • TimPilot
    Speaking of Operating Systems, is there anything wrong with the following? I see OS prices all over the place, which make one think some of the lower cost offerings are not legit.

  • Ray Hansen
    I think you can still download windows 11 for free. Do a search and you should find more info than
    you'd want. Your new machine will have to be windows 11 capable (unless you make a registry change) and you'll have to make a bootable copy of the install.
  • TimPilot
    I did end up getting a Minis-Forum Ryzen 9 6900HX. As you said it doesn't light the world on fire but processes things much quicker than my old Laptop. I save all my images in real time via WAN to my NAS Server. In the past I was using a 256GB flash drive and carrying it to the NAS. The process I am using now is much better.

    I do have a 500 GB OS drive and a 240GB SSD in the D: slot. Moving all raw my data from the NAS to the D: drive takes forever so this is what I have settled on for the time being. I leave my raw data on the NAS, and set up a PI_Processing folder on the D: drive. It does take a little longer to get the raw data from the NAS, but once I have it everything is running on SSD's and a 60 image set @ 32MB each took around 30 minutes to process all they way through integration. 

    When I am finished I move all the processing files onto the NAS Server for safe storage. That relocation is a long process there is a lot to move, but it is something I can set up and walk away from.

    I am using a three monitor set up 27" left, 24" center and 27" right. I am still working out the best method for taking advantage of the three monitor set up, but so far I love it.

    Tim
  • TimPilot
    Ok so my accolades of the Mini Desktop computer were way too early. A coupe weeks ago it started just shutting down for no apparent reason. Then I started getting the green screens of death. Talked to MinisForum, who told me I needed a new power brick. I ordered it and they reimbursed me. No change, then I was told to stop using a wireless keyboard and mouse. Next I was told to upgrade the software for the chip. By the time they were done, I was down to only one monitor working as some ridiculously bad resolution. I told them I was not wanting to be part of there R and D and asks to return the computer. It is boxed up and awaiting a trip to UPS for the return.

    I did some research and found that they are having heat issues with these souped up processors. The reason they waned me to use wired keyboard and mouse is because the BT transceiver is buried and overheats. Also the USB jacks have power issues, hence a new brick to power it.

    So now I am back to using my old Lenovo laptop, till I figure what else to do.

    I will throw it out there, what are others using for PI processing. I think I might give the Mini Desktop folks a couple years to perfect their product.
  • TimPilot
    I was not aware of the Benchmark script within PI. I ran it on my old Laptop, well it isn't the slowest. LOL. It came in at a whopping Total Performance of 2474. The fastest computers to run the benchmark came in at 49,205. That is only 20 times faster.
  • Tom Race
    edited November 2023
    Hey @BlockHead , I recently watched your NB Colour Mapper script presentation on TAIC with Mike. During your talk, you mentioned your new processing PC. I'm going to start shopping for a new high-end workstation soon and am curious about which PC specs. you ended up selecting for your new system.

    CS,
    Tom
  • BlockHeadBlockHead
    This is the Corsair Vengeance.
    I purchased the pre-built version, so I didn't do anything special.
    I did need to decide which chip... and this is the Intel version.
    Processor 13th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i9-13900K, 3000 Mhz, 24 Core(s), 32 Logical Processor(s)
      
    Obviously there is the latest generation NVIDIA GPU in here as well.

    -the Blockhead
  • Tom Race
    Adam,
    Thanks for sharing.

    Tom
  • BlockHeadBlockHead
    You will note this comes with a big price tag...but apparently I buy computers only every 4-5 years. lol
    -the Blockhead
  • Tom Race
    Yep, but worth every penny!

    I think I've got you beat, however. The PC I'm replacing was purchased on Black Friday, in 2016. I'm definitely due for an upgrade!
  • Dr.LesDr.Les

    I am hoping to speed up my WBPP processing. Is GPU acceleration helpful?  My GPU is Intel UHD Graphics 630. TaskManager shows GPU use is very low <5%. I monitor the Task Manager when running WBPP and the CPU is often up at 98% @ 5GHz, so guessing that is my bottleneck.  Other measurements are not very high.  My CPU is Intel Core i9-10900 CPU @ 2.80ghz, that actually runs at higher ghz when needed. Appreciate any suggestions short of a whole new desktop. Any benefits to changing up to windows 11?

    My Astro Processing system:  Small footprint Dell Desktop setup November, 2022.

    This was about $1200 new from Dell online.

    OptiPlex 3080
    Windows 10 Pro installed 11/2022
    CPU:  Intel Core i9-10900 CPU @ 2.80gh
    GPU:  Intel UHD Graphics 630
    32 GB ram
    1 TB ssd (drive C for programs and current file storage)
    10 TB HDD for archive storage  = Drive D

    I now regret getting the small footprint as it limits installing additional storage. No room for 3rd HDD. So now setting up a network server for archiving files.  My general process is to move the image files to a directory low on C drive to avoid long file path issues. The SSD is also very fast for file read/writes so I that was a good choice.

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