Preview: IWILL ZMAXd2 SLI SFF

Was there any pricing and relase date info? Anybody know of any other sli sff systems?

I'm only aware of the IWILL and Shuttle's SN26P so far http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2005/06/01/sn26p_computex/

No pricing info is available yet, but neither will be cheap: the Shuttle will come supplied with SLI, so you can expect it to be US$1200+, and while the IWILL might be available barebones, the sheer cost of kitting out kitting it out with Dual Opterons AND SLI doesn't bear thinking about

Originally Posted by The_Pope
I'm only aware of the IWILL and Shuttle's SN26P so far http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2005/06/01/sn26p_computex/

No pricing info is available yet, but neither will be cheap: the Shuttle will come supplied with SLI, so you can expect it to be US$1200+, and while the IWILL might be available barebones, the sheer cost of kitting out kitting it out with Dual Opterons AND SLI doesn't bear thinking about

Good thing about it is you dont have to go full out dual everything out of the box.

Any idea on release dates yet? *starts to warm up cc*

For the IWILL? No, not at this point - their engineers have plenty of issues still to resolve afaik. If I had to guess, I'd suggest Sept / October time, or later...

Not sure if you mentioned this in the article, but accoring to Hexus this this has two full speed hypertransport links between each CPU, where as every other system (I have every seen) out there uses one.
I didn't think it was even possible, but there is nothing to stop it really.
That means you have 16GB/s of bandwidth between the processors!

I want one of these, although I am partial to ATI.

Wow.. I'll have to keep my eyes peeled. Love the green..ish finish, too, heh.

Zap, I think what they are referring to is the fact that with two CPU sockets, each has their own hypertransport link; one link per socket has been standard on all the processors based on Hammer ;)

Dual 940-pin sockets dominate the vista, and there is now a dual Hyper Transport link between the two CPUs - IWILL claim a 20% performance boost over a single-HT system.

I don't know the technicals, but this is what IWILL have told me (and clearly Hexus)

Ok, AMD idiot question here. I know that there is a pretty large difference in technology between the Xeon and the P4, but is there a "better" for the common user between the opteron and the standard a64? Because this dual looks great, but I'm not sure if I would ever have chosen, for instance, a dual Xeon over my P4 setup.

Holy thread revival here, but with NVidia's latest launch, can anyone imagine one of THESE with Dual 7800's?!

B) ;)

Originally Posted by RotoSequence
Zap, I think what they are referring to is the fact that with two CPU sockets, each has their own hypertransport link; one link per socket has been standard on all the processors based on Hammer ;)

The pope has it right.

Yes all opterons have three full speed Hypertransport links.

One a dual-processor system, one linke runs to the motherboard from CPU0, and one link runs to CPU1. You normaly don't use all three links unless you are running more then two CPUs. But in this case they decided to run two links between CPU0 and CPU1.

Here is the URL to the graphic:
http://www.iwill.net/product_imgs/36/Dual_Opteron_Diagram.jpg

Just incase anybody was wondering the zmaxd2 is out at newegg @ just $710....Hopefully the price will become a touch more realistic as more come on the market...

Haddy - that would be the first-gen zmaxd mate, not the superior second-gen model. Having said that, it wouldn't shock me at all to see similar pricing tbh - the zmaxd2 won't be out for several months still

Originally Posted by The_Pope
Haddy - that would be the first-gen zmaxd mate, not the superior second-gen model. Having said that, it wouldn't shock me at all to see similar pricing tbh - the zmaxd2 won't be out for several months still

Opps =/ Got all the way to the checkout before I saw the agp slot =(

Now I am baffled why they are charging 700 bucks for that machine? Just for dual core support?

Well I have a few things to add seeing as I have a ZmaxDP.

I've got 2 x 250 Opterons in the rig and they most certainly don't get to 70 degrees C. However yes the fans do spin reasonably fast so those who want a silent PC should look else where.

I've got this in my rig,

2 x 250 Opterons
2GB's DDR400 Reg ECC
XFX Geforce 6800GT
Blackgold Digital Freeview TV Card (I'm in the UK)
2 x 300GB Diamond Max 10's
Mitsumi 7in1 card reader\FDD
NEC 16x Dual Layer DVD Writer
Intel 2200BG Mini PCI WiFi card
And I've wired up an internal USB bluetooth dongle

It works just fine on the 300 watt PSU but yes you wouldn't want to be swapping cables at the back of it when it's on as the air coming out of the PSU is extremely hot. Still as long as the hot air is outside the case and not inside the case that's the main thing.

I'll be tempted to swap out the rig for this new one and put in at least one 7800GTX. Maybe keep the other slot free for one of those new physics cards around xmas if they do a PCI-Express version which I'm sure they must do.

And then maybe swap out the 250's for 2 x dual cores when the prices get more reasonable though to be honest I don't need that much power.

For anyone that does consider this, yes it is extremely expensive. Must be the most expensive SFF out there to build however it is most certainly extremely fast so you get what you pay for.

I would recommend it for those that have heavy CPU programs or those that just love to run tons of apps all at the same time like me :)

^^You luck lil mutha...^^

lol

Welcome to the forums, FastLaneJB.

Can I ask: what do you use yours for exactly? IWILL told me the 1st gen model proved popular with developers, who needed the grunt and liked the compactness. Or are you just a regular gamer, just with deep pockets? :)

Hi,

Well one thing I forgot to mention is obviously my Opterons are the 130nm models which don't have power now. From what I've read if you pop in some 90nm PowerNow models, including the dual cores then when your idling or not doing too much it will be a lot quieter. Only getting loader of course once you start pushing it hard.

I use my rig at home for just general purpose, playing games and so on. It's nice though if your encoding something to not have to do it at night or leave the computer alone. I can of course play Battlefield 2 without any problems while encoding some home video. I have the video on one drive and the game on the other so no slow down in loading times either really.

It's a really nice rig. Ever since I got my first Shuttle SS51G a long time ago, I never fancied a full sized tower again.

Is there any update with a release date for this?

Theres nothing on the net. No shops have it in worldwide??? Has it been dropped :'(

I will email IWILL today to find out mickey123. The prototype shown in June at Computex was just that - a prototype, and there were several issues to overcome. We have already seen Shuttle having to delay their SLI SFF slightly to resolve some problems, and they aren't the ones attempting to shoe-horn dual Opterons in there as well!

Back in June, IWILL told me sampling would be "August" so now is a good time to see how they've progressed.

According to Iwill:

Originally Posted by Stormlord (Iwill Support) @ 2CPU Forums
sampling late august/early september, mass production later in Q4 expected.

Kind Regards,

David / Iwill Benelux

Yes, I've just had a note back from IWILL Taiwan to that effect. They aren't behind schedule, since some of their System Integrator (SI) customers have already tested samples.

Media sampling follows that, which is where there was a little confusion. We certainly hope to be able to bring you a full review as soon as we can.

Thats great news and than you Pope for you efforts.

Im in the market for a gaming shuttle.

I aim to start with only one 6800/7800.
Whether I want SLI ever or not I think it best I buy a shuttle that can do SLI just incase.

The models I'm thinking about are the only 2 I know of (IE this and the SN26P)

From the looks of both reviews I'm thinking this will be far faster as it supports 2 CPUs.

Bet that will have an effect on price too.

Thanks for bringing us all the info on these great systems so wqe can make informed decisions!! ;)

Mickey

Greetings!

The ZMAXd2 manual is now online, and it states inside that the ZMAXd2 has a 400w PSU! This is great news for anyone who is thinking of putting this little terror to its paces with QUAD Opteron 280's, 4GB RAM, 2 WD Raptors, and a GTX512 OC from BFG!

Oh wait, that's my Specs! ;)

Here's the Manual Link: Enjoy! http://www.iwill.net/product_2s.asp?p_id=105&tp=Manual

- KrulL

Sorry Double Post... :S My bad. :D