New Build -Need Your Opinion

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lancew70

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Apr 1, 2007
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My boss has asked me to spec out a new machine for use at work (will be employer owned). and I could really use some input from you Pros here to make sure I've done my homework:)

The machine will not be OC'd -Stability is a must (sorry, kind of boaring isn't it :) )

Primary machine use: Graphics (AutoCad, MicroStation, etc) and proprietary Simulation applications involving graphics/terrain
Operating System: XP Pro (32/64bit), Linux Redhat 32/64bit, Vista 32/64bit


I've spec'd out 2 configurations AMD and Intel

I can wait for the AMD Phenoms to come out if Quads are worth it for this kind of work. It's not clear to me whether our work will benefit from Quads or if 2 cpus is more than adequate.

Thanks for any comments/suggestions :)

Intel Spec Configuration
1. Motherboard - ASUS P5E 775 Intel X38
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813131219

2. Processor - Intel Core 2 Q6600
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819115017

3. Memory – Corsair XMS2 DDR2 800 (PC26400C5DHX) (4GB -2x2GB)
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820145176

4. Graphics Card – GeForce 8800GT (EVGA 512-P3-N802-A1)
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814130303

5. Hard Drives – Western Digital Raptors (150GB) (3-each)

6. Monitors – 30” Samsung SyncMaster 305T (2 each)
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16824001098

7. PS – PCPower & Cooling Silencer 750 Quad
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16817703009

8. Case – Silverstone TJ09
9. UPS – Belkin 1500VA 830W

AMD Spec Configuration
1. Motherboard – ASUS M2N32-SLI Premium Vista Edition AM2 (590 SLI MCP)
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813131163

2. Processor – AMD 64X2 6400+
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819103191

All other components are the same as for the Intel Configuration above
 
Go with Intel. The 750W PSU is overkill (and so is the TJ-09, but thats personal preference); drop it down to a 620W Corsair. The UPS is also overkill, but that just means you'll get to work longer while the power is out. If you'll be doing any 3D Rendering, you'll probably want a Quadro or FireGL card instead of the gaming card. Are you planning on raiding any of those raptors? You might want to look into some SAS drives instead.
 
Samsung 305T is a discontinued product now, or at least 'discontinuing' .. depending on the hurry your in if you can wait on the displays... Dell / Samsung are both launching new models with a zillion more connection options and I would assume better CR/Refresh etc.
 
I concur with Enginurd. Go with an Intel build. Unfortunately, AMD's Phenom CPUs are a bit of a bust. They're not as fast as the Q6600 clock for clock nor does it look like it's easily overclockable like a C2D. So if you're looking for performance, go with the Q6600.
 
why not look at an HP or Dell business class machine. it will probably cost less, have a 3 year warranty, and be less trouble in the end.

and yes, they make machines targeted at exactly what you are going to be using the computer for. at least take a look, you owe it to yourself.
 
why not look at an HP or Dell business class machine. it will probably cost less, have a 3 year warranty, and be less trouble in the end.

and yes, they make machines targeted at exactly what you are going to be using the computer for. at least take a look, you owe it to yourself.
Click to expand...

Good point... That's what my employer has been doing and kind of what started him/me down this route of build our own. my employer has done this in the past and the spec'd out business machines from Dell (for example) were about as expensive as building our own except the purchased machines provided little, if any, upgrade ability.

My employer is looking for an option that allows an upgrade route every 2-3 years that is less expensive than the purchased machine.

Thanks for the suggestion...we're still evaluating our options :)
 
generally, most companies "fully depreciate" a computer after 3 years anyway... at which time its actually just as economical to just replace the machine completely in llieu of individual parts upgrades.

of course, im also speaking from experience in an enterprise, where we have several thousand computers/users. it boils down to "why spend even (an average of) 1 day off warranty, if its just as cost effective to replace the unit after 3 years". the technology will be significantly "fresher", and the machine will be back under a manufacturer's warranty again (next day parts replacement).

ive been in my position almost 7 years now. generally, after deploying and replacing an uncountable number of computers, very few ever get upgraded. i would say that the only things that get upgraded, are the ones i pull from the boneyard for my personal use.

if you need a video card, it will fit into a dell or hp or ibm. same for extra hard drive (or why not just get the 750-1TB drive to begin with).

for my personal machines at home, im down to one clone (which i cant bear to part with, a dual xeon 2.66 with 3GB of ram, that i probably spent near 3 grand on about 4 years ago). that same system is probably less than $700 now.

my last thoughts:

i used to run only clones.
http://www.dfwlp.org/~jhorne/pics/computerroom/slides/dsc01476.html
http://www.dfwlp.org/~jhorne/pics/computerroom/slides/dsc01220.html

and now ive migrated to as i mentioned above, only 1 clone.
http://www.dfwlp.org/~jhorne/pics/computerroom/slides/dsc06728.html

in the last pic, the small HPs are upgraded to do what i need. both have nvidia recent model vid cards, and large hard drives (one is my vista gaming machine, one is my main freebsd desktop).

IMO, they are easier to manage because of their similarities. i can part and frakenstein as much as i need after their warranties expire, but i wont worry about that for another 30 months or so (the ibm are actually off warranty at this time, but my hps are still "newish").
 
Newegg has this combo deal for GIGABYTE GA-MA790FX-DS5 + Phenom X4 9500 @ $449.90:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128074

If you can find a MSI K9A2 Platinum, it would also be a good board for the price. If you want to go with AMD route, go with the new chipset as it would support more CPU later. You can just get a X2 6000+ now and you will have the option to upgrade to a higher clocked Phenom later. Intel CPU has the advantage of high overclockability but you said that you won't oc so at stock speed and price, you can't go wrong with either platform. Phenom has a better power management which can control each core depending on the requirement.

I don't know about 8800GT but I use Catia and it runs much faster on my HD3870 than on my previous X1950XTX so you might want to consider the HD3870/HD3850 since both X38 and 790FX support crossfire. With HD3870/HD3850 you can can add another card later.
 
Definitely get the G.Skill RAM. There's no reason whatsoever to justify the spending of $222 of 4GB of RAM when you can get 8GB of RAM for that amount. Don't worry ab out G.Skill's quality, They do make some very excellent quality RAM.
 
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