open source power9 mainboard
https://www.invidio.us/ does not require non free software to
display videos?
> https://www.invidio.us/ does not require non free software to
> display videos?
This is an awesome video by the way. Makes me hungry for a big, expensive power 9 rig.
With what storage, videocard and peripherals?
It's probably all out of my price range. But just the thought of running 2 CPU's with 44 cores like on the workstation in the video, with no proprietary CPU firmware - that would be a nice setup. I think you would just about have to go with a Radeon card in order to get graphics working with libre drivers. Not worth the money for an Nvidia card just to run it on nouveau.
I am a translator!
>I think you would just about have to go with a Radeon card in order to get graphics working with libre drivers.
Yeh but last time I checkeed they (ALL OF THEM) required the proprietary firmware.. Unless you want to use it as a paper weight..
"With what storage"
I would assume something that supports SAS 3.0?
"With what videocard"
Maybe none and use the onboard graphics adapter? Since getting a separate graphics card means having to introduce proprietary software into the system. Interestingly enough onboard video is handled by the BMC, which only uses free software.
"With what peripherals?"
That one's hard to say because "peripherals" is really broad.
I did not know about the onboard graphics through the baseboard management controller. That could have some real advantages. Unfortunately, my dream machine with 44 cores is over $14,000, so not going to happen anytime soon. Although a bargain basement 2 CPU, 8 core model is only $5,324 from Raptor.
> I would assume something that supports SAS 3.0?
Would that "something" be open hardware too? :)
> That one's hard to say because "peripherals" is really broad.
For desktop you would need at least a monitor, keyboard and mouse. I also don't see any audio controller on the MB, so it would be needed too.
"Would that "something" be open hardware too? :)"
Who knows? Depends -- it's an interface so it depends on what you plug in to it. Anyway; this was a discussion about the POWER9 mainboard, not the things that someone might plug in to that board. But thanks for the reminder that proprietary things still exist within the world.
The Raptor Blackbird mainboard is going to have built in audio along with HDMI video: https://secure.raptorcs.com/content/BK1MB1/intro.html