Build or Buy?

[Gim.E]

I'm looking for a new workstation, do I buy it or build it?

The following is a system from Dell:

Dual Core Xenon W3503 @ 2.4GHz
3 Gb RAM (couldn't select any less)
146 Gb 15K SAS drive
SAS Controller 6/ir (needed for SAS drive)
256 Mb ATI FirePro Graphic Card
22" Monitor
Windows Vista Business w/ XP downgrade
DVD/CD RW
Mouse, Keyboard

It's called a Dell Precision 3500.

It's costs around $1,800.00 plus shipping.

This machine is going to be used for .NET and SQL Server development. Can a comparable machine be built for less money?

 

[lt_shiro]

.Net and SQL are not that demanding... Get Dell Studio XPS 435 at base config and use the left over cash to get 24" display or Dual 22" display for your desk.

 

[night_2004]

.NET and SQL might be demanding. Don't know what work the guy is trying to do.

Working on it at the Egg, here's what I found so far:
2x Core i7 Xeons
Intel dual socket motherboard (onboard SAS controller)
2x 6GB RAM (6GB for each processor)
147GB 15K SAS drive

I'm at $1660 right now. Add in the optical drive, big PSU, and graphics card you might be talking about $1800-1900. Oh, and the computer case (Antec 1200 here would be great for cooling). So maybe a bit more.

So it sounds like you'd be about the same price, but this way you know exactly what you are getting and build yourself.

 

[lt_shiro]

I have clients with .Net servers running on Intel Atom CPUs. I think Studio XPS 435 with a Core i7 920 will do the job, just fine...

 

[DholmbladRU]

You definitely will not need a system with those type of specs. But I would still recommend building one.

 

[Gim.E]

I guess I should backup and ask the question differently.

I need to spec a workstation for .Net and SQL Server application development. Initially everything will be running on this workstation (only one developer).

Assumptions:
Writing code is not CPU or disk intensive.
Compiling code is more CPU and disk intensive.
Writing code with a small monitor is hard on the developer.

Building the machine will increase the general knowledge of how machines go together.
Buying a machine comes with technical support.

Can I build a machine for less than $2000.00 for everything. CPU, Mobo, GPU, RAM, PSU, Disk Drives, case, and operating system...

The trade offs would be bigger monitor and faster disk drives for less robust CPU.

 

[bigwooly]

I think you can come out much better building it yourself. Bigger Monitor, Quad Core (instead of dual core you listed in your dell workstation), 12 gb ram, 2nd 147 gb sas for mirroring.

Here's what i came up with.

ASUS P6T WS PRO LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX - $299.99
ATI 100-505564 FirePro V3700 256MB PCI Express 2.0 x16 Workstation Video Card - OEM - $89.99
Intel Xeon E5506 Nehalem 2.13GHz LGA 1366 80W Quad-Core Server Processor Model BX80602E5506 - Retail - $269.99
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders - OEM - $99.99
2x mushkin 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 998585 - Retail - $195.98 (97.99 ea)
Logitech RX1500 Black 3 Buttons Tilt Wheel USB Wired Laser Mouse - OEM - $27.99
Saitek PK02 2-Tone USB Standard Eclipse II Keyboard - Retail - $47.99
PC Power & Cooling Silencer PPCS910 910W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Active ... - Retail - $189.99
ASUS VK246H Black 24" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail - $239.99 ($20 off instant with promocode EMCLSNT53 until 6/1)
2 x Fujitsu MBA3300 MBA3147RC 147GB 15000 RPM Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM - $379.98 (189.99 ea)
Antec P182 Gun Metal Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail - $144.99
SAMSUNG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S223Q - OEM - $26.99

total = $2,005.65 (Shipped)

If you want to reduce the cost a little you could drop down to 6gb ram, drop the 2nd hard drive, pick a different (Cheaper case), pick a cheaper keyboard and mouse as those are just a matter of taste.

I'm also not sure what benefit would come for the xeon you might be just as well off with a core i7 920.

Hope this helps get the ball rolling.