We are writing a scientific paper on the new ACEMD application comparing it with all other molecular dynamics CPU codes. ACEMD is no doubt the fastest, but it will simply be astonishing if we produce the benchmarks on the new Fermi hardware (even the cheaper version).

It will be impossible to get any of those cards here in Spain for several months. So, if anyone is willing to buy it and donate it to GPUGRID, we really need them. Three cards are enough to blow away any CPU cluster in terms of performance. We will be very happy to put the name and surname of the person or BOINC group on the acknowledgements of the paper. That's not much, I know, but it is what we can do.

If anyone is interested to donate to us, please consider this instead of money in the next two months.

Many thanks.

gdf

Maybe a stupid question.. couldn't lend nVidia you some of their internal test samples fo some time? Considering the publicity that'd be just what they needed to boost Fermi-PR. Certainly better than giving them to another gaming review site.

MrS
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Scanning for our furry friends since Jan 2002

I was thinking the same thing!
NVidia could get credited in a scientific journal, or disrespected again on some 2bit mag and then in endless blog reviews of that review and a dozen similar in 20 countries.

- Ask them!

Nvidia is not giving anything out anymore. We will try to ask, but they have not given us anything in the last year.

gdf

We have asked 4 fermi to nvidia, but I doubt that they will give it.
I shall report in the next few days.

gdf

This is the Nvidia representative answer:

>Unless you pre-ordered some Fermi Tesla boards when we ran our promotion last >quarter, the likelihood that you will get a Fermi board before April is low. >We are swamped by orders and requests for access and unable to meet the demand.

So we have to rely on you guys.


GDF.

Do you guys still need a Fermi card to aid development?

We will have to pay vat locally at customs. That's fine.
In case, I can send the details via private message.

gdf

Once paid for the host, there is no point into saving into the GPUs.
Plus this is to go as fast as possible and also the cooling seems better to me on the GTX480.

GDF

OK ... fair enough :-)
Can you tell us about importing duties or any other costs (coming from USA) we may not know about regarding us shipping a card or 2. I'm not making a commitment just trying to understand the details before I present the question up to our team.

It might just be a round trip to and from the airport!

Most airports in Europe are closed.
Flights will be delayed for another day at least, but there are likely to be disruptions for some weeks, perhaps months; due to the Volcano(s) in Iceland. This would obviously interfeer with postage too. Not much point having a Fermi sit in a mail bag for a month, especially at that price!

I think you missed the intended humor in my remark.
Barcelona Airport is not closed.

Yes it is the best way in Europe (perhaps PayPal outside) and Yes Vat can be deducted if you have a Tax registered business - just make sure the receipt is sent to you not GPUGrid, or perhaps they can scan it and email it, should be enough as long as you are not asked where the item is, in which case it broke when you droped it ;).

Just a "suggestion", but the crazy prices for shipping + VAT. Isn't it possible for someone who wants to donate a Fermi, to buy it online from a EU online shop & have it sent to the address in Spain? Is there also a way to deduct the VAT, since it doesn't go to a "person" for "private" use.

We have found a supplier which does sell GTX480 (by importing from USA directly).
So, the best solution is to make a donation and then we can buy it.

gdf

You can also check here. Many are listed as being in supply and shipping within Europe shouldn't be too much of a problem.

MrS
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Scanning for our furry friends since Jan 2002

Just an update on this. We have now several GTX480 cards.

Next cards that we could need would be the GTX475, in case somebody would like to donate them.

thanks,
GDF.