No, you don't need to fill both slots on a dual CPU motherboard.
No, you don't need to fill both slots on a dual CPU motherboard.
You can start using one server now and later add the second when you're ready. Both GPUs need to be fully installed to make them work together.
I'm not overly concerned with speed. What matters most is keeping my PC running without losing access for long periods. Even though it surprised me at first, the combination of six RTX 2060s ended up using fewer CUDA cores than my 4090.
Looking for PCIe connections from the Xeons. Even AM4 can damage them in single or multi-core setups with 5900X or 5950X. You probably don’t want those expensive LGA 1700/AM5 boards anymore. Newer models are more affordable—around $500 or less now. ECC DDR4 is budget-friendly and offers more PCIe lanes than you think.
It's important for the CPU to handle the workload efficiently, but the main focus is on VRAM. I saw a few listings on eBay for around £300 to £400, and my workplace is replacing some older parts, which might have let me get one at a lower price. I’m not committed to Xeon; I just needed the more affordable options.
the comparison isn't as clear as it seems. a price around 300-400£ for an old v3 or v4 xeon is reasonable, but details like ram and total cores matter. the models from 2011 are outdated; newer versions offer similar specs at better prices, especially with turbo unlock enabled on v3 xeons. the hardware in question is competing against modern chips like the epyc 7551 or 7282 gigabyte mz32-ar0.