• Some users have recently had their accounts hijacked. It seems that the now defunct EVGA forums might have compromised your password there and seems many are using the same PW here. We would suggest you UPDATE YOUR PASSWORD and TURN ON 2FA for your account here to further secure it. None of the compromised accounts had 2FA turned on.
    Once you have enabled 2FA, your account will be updated soon to show a badge, letting other members know that you use 2FA to protect your account. This should be beneficial for everyone that uses FSFT.

High-end Workstation Hardware

Cerulean

Cerulean

[H]F Junkie
2FA
Joined
Jul 27, 2006
Messages
9,484
Hi,

I am trying to help a workmate put together a computer that will last him a decade or so in the workstation industry (AutoCAD/3DSM).

This is what he has:
* 800W PSU
* Three identical SSDs (will RAID5 work with this quantity?)
* Full ATX chassis

This is what is needed:
* RAID Cage
* RAID Card
* RAM
* Motherboard
* CPU (he wants a quadcore at the minimum)
* Workstation card (hold off on this)

What do you recommend? Would server hardware be better for this, or is regular gaming hardware no worse?

As far as the workstation card, we'll go with an NVIDIA, and since it's mostly based on price for power, we'll determine which one to get based on the remaining funds.

Originally, before I intervened, he was planning on spending up a few grand. So what's the best configuration we can put together? (Money is basically not a bottleneck.)
 
You answered some but not all of the questions in the sticky " ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS FIRST". So please answer the rest of those questions so that we can help you better.

In addition, please provide the exact model numbers for the PSU, SSDs, and Case.
 
Danny Bui said:
You answered some but not all of the questions in the sticky " ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS FIRST". So please answer the rest of those questions so that we can help you better.

In addition, please provide the exact model numbers for the PSU, SSDs, and Case.
Click to expand...
Will have to wait on this then. I shall reply to this thread when I have them.
 
Cerulean said:
Will have to wait on this then. I shall reply to this thread when I have them.
Click to expand...

Gotcha. Yeah without knowing which 800W PSU, we don't know if that 800W PSU will be capable of powering the parts we recommend. Without knowing what SSDs, we don't know whether or not those are the optimal chices. Without knowing the case, we can't tell if the parts will actually fit in the case. Noawadys, there are full-sized ATX cases that have pretty crappy airflow, cable management, layout, space, etc. That's in addition to the other questions as well.

Oh have you thought about just doing a softmod to get a Quadro GPU?:
http://www.techarp.com/showarticle.aspx?artno=539
 
450 said:
If money isn't a bottleneck, why must the system last 10 years?
Click to expand...
That was just something I pulled out of my head. I mean, today's computer won't be tomorrow's technology.
 
Heh, yah, if money is not an issue, go for a real quadro, since this system is mainly for AutoCAD/3DSM. Hm... why not wait for Fermi?
 
Call up Dell, buy the most expensive workstation they have.

Do that every 2.5 years. Done.

Get rid of your has to last 10 years requirement, that's insane.
 
I agree, if this is a mission critical machine, go for a Dell Precision.
 
We're not going to buy a manufactured machine. Custom built > *

I thought there were actual differences between GeForce and Quadro GPUs, but I suppose I am wrong (since if two GPUs have the same ID, then they're probably the same makeup and everything, thus no difference). However, one thing the workstation cards have that regular GeForce cards do not is memory. ;) Don't some of them have insane amounts of memory compared to your regular gaming card?

EDIT: And also something undeniable, they probably are more optimal or whatever, as they usually have meek and small heatsinks compared to the gigantic ones for gaming cards.
 
When it comes to graphics cards, identify which specific programs you'll be using. Some programs favor ATI cards, while others favor Nvidia cards. I found this shootout very helpful when choosing a graphics card for our new machine. Identify which programs you'll be using, and refer to the charts at the end of the review to decide which will be best suited for you.
 
Don't be so sure about the "custom built".

They have their benefits, but if you weigh the amount of time spent in choosing parts, putting them toghether, installing everything, resolving issues, and if something happens latter RMAing it, then the money saved doesn't always exceed the overhead you are getting buying a premade.

And when you buy expensive premades, they are pretty sweet. But if you want to throw your business' money out the window go for it.
 
For mission critical systems, a custom build will never be a better choice over a customizable pre-built workstation from a major OEM. It's all about time and money. If this is a home system, and you can afford downtime, sure, build it.
 
I will just tell him to go after what he was originally looking at, and not intervene in his business.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top