The Test

We are mostly concerned with how the machine performs under Solaris 10 in comparison to SUSE 9, but we are also concerned with performance from the previous generation V40z to this one. Our very own Johan De Gelas recently wrote a very detailed comparison of various Linux database setups, so we won't spend as much time on database benchmarks for this review. Make no mistake, however, that a machine like the V40z makes the most sense in a database environment. We will use very similar benchmarks to the previous V40z examination, but we will also draw on some references from our Linux workstation articles.


Test Configurations

Machine:

Sun Fire V40z (Dual Core)

Sun Fire V40z

Processor:

(4) AMD Opteron 875

(4) AMD Opteron 850

RAM:

8 x 1024MB PC-2700

8 x 1024MB PC-2700

Hard Drives

SCSI u320 Seagate Cheetah 10,000RPM

SCSI u320 Seagate Cheetah 10,000RPM

Memory Timings:

Default

Operating System(s):

SuSE 9.1 Professional
RedHat 9
JDS 2.0

SUSE SLES 9

Solaris 10

Kernel:

Linux 2.6.8
Linux 2.4 (JDS 2.0)

Linux 2.6.5
SunOS 5.10

Compiler:

linux:~ # gcc -v
Reading specs from /usr/local/lib/gcc/i686-pc-linux-gnu/3.4.2/specs
Configured with: ./configure
Thread model: posix
gcc version 3.4.2

Our tests consist of everything from render benchmarks to database to compilation benchmarks. Each of these are designed to stress a particular portion of the system. As we mentioned earlier, the V40z is a premiere platform for databases due to the large amounts of CPU and memory. All tests are done with x86_64 binaries on Solaris and Linux unless otherwise noted. Furthermore, all programs are compiled via GCC with the flags mentioned in the table above.

X was disabled during these benchmarks to reduce overhead.

But... (Solaris 10 Cont.) Database Benchmarks
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  • KristopherKubicki - Thursday, June 30, 2005 - link

    Ecmaster76: It wasn't my decision to remove the article, and I agree with your thoughts as well.

    Kristopher
  • mastashake57 - Wednesday, June 29, 2005 - link

    Let me tell you, we have the first generation v40z, and it's a total crusher in comparison to our Dell PowerEdge 6650s. Way to go SUN!

    Intel XEONs can't hold a candle to it...
  • Ecmaster76 - Wednesday, June 29, 2005 - link

    that should read:

    But if there are liability and/or other issues that might come from leaving it up, than I will just have to wait.



  • Ecmaster76 - Wednesday, June 29, 2005 - link

    KristopherKubicki

    I think everyone has read the PS3/360 article but me, its been linked on Ars and it was out long enough that someone at MS could have downloaded the whole thing.

    But if there a re liability and/or other issues that might come from leaving it up, than I will just have to wait.
  • Ahkorishaan - Wednesday, June 29, 2005 - link

    #11 Solaris 10 is on the graphs, he jsut forgot to add it to the chart.

    Hey guys in Anandtech, think we could grab a review of the new Sun Ultra 20 workstation? It looks pretty sweet.
  • prd00 - Wednesday, June 29, 2005 - link

    Without much pressure from Intel, Sun has been pretty free to do what they want with AMD's processors. Sun is even going a bit on the offensive with Intel trade-in programs. Even though both AMD and Sun have been through some hard times recently, Sun is a great ally for AMD for two reasons; first, Sun knows servers - this is a critical market for AMD. Second, Sun isn't afraid of Intel and doesn't have nearly the problems AMD does with their customers.

    HEhuehueh... that's the reason why Sun server is still the best AMD server out there. HP and IBM should learn from them on how to build a good Opteron server.Anyway, Cray implementation of Opteron is still unmatched.
  • themelon - Wednesday, June 29, 2005 - link

    One question, why the lack of apples to apples os comparison between the two systems? You talk about S10 for two pages yet you dont list it as being tested on the Dual Core machine. That and you do not use the same linux versions on the two machines.

    To me that makes this comparison a whole lot less usefull. Granted, the perf should not vary to much between SuSE 9 and 9.1 but to not include S10 in the Dual Core comparo seems kinda silly.
  • KristopherKubicki - Wednesday, June 29, 2005 - link

    Ecmaster76: Eh, something was messed up with the content management system. PS3 article is pulled for now because Anand is worried about MS tracing his anonymous insider.

    Kristopher
  • Ecmaster76 - Wednesday, June 29, 2005 - link

    Ah, rendering problems. Thats why this article isn't on the main page (2461, the console article is a dead link, and it occured to me that number was about three articles to high, easy guess).

    Shame on you for pulling stuff when you could just leave a little 'were working on it'.

    :p
  • Beenthere - Wednesday, June 29, 2005 - link

    FWIW,

    AMD doesn't have "problems with it's customers" at all. AMD has problems with Intel's illegal Biz practices which have prevented many AMD customers from selling AMD products. With any luck HP, Sony and a Helleva lot of other PC companies will finally put Intel execs in prison where they belong. And you can bet all the companies that have been blackmailed by Intel will be a LOT more interested in selling AMD products now that the shit has hit the fan and they can come out of hiding.

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