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Ultra High End PC

C

cismajor97

Weaksauce
Joined
Mar 23, 2006
Messages
88
Hey folks,

I have a project that I need advice on. My boss wants an ultra high end pc for the summer. Here are the requirements in order of importance

1. Reliable - Should not be able to crash it.
2. Fast - Possibly overclocked but shouldn't negate requirement number 1. Single-threaded Direct X apps, so single core only.
3. Expensive - Nuff said
4. No water cooling
5. Raid 10 configuration, and good battery raid controller
6. Quiet
7. Cool factor - case should look powerful but not "geeky"
8. Vista 64 bit

Let me know what you guys can come up with.
 
well, like, any computer could crash.

Also, what do you consider expensive? Some people would say $2000, others $4000.
 
lol "Expensive" as the #3 requirement? You could always build it for as cheap as you can and then tape $10,000 to the front of it ;)

Do you plan on ordering this prebuilt or are you going to do it?
 
RAID 10? What hard drive capacities? Are you talking 5 640Mb Drives, 1Tb drives, or SSDs?

Not sure about buying single core processors, but you can get a solid dual core proc and then build from there.
 
Really dumb idea to go with a single core CPU these days for gaming rig. Many dual-core CPUs are faster than single core CPUs due to a better architecture, efficiency and other major improvements. So I highly doubt that you'll find a single-core CPU that can outperform many current C2D or even Athlon 64 CPUs.

Also, we're gonna need a bit more answers or we can't help you:
1) What is your boss going to be doing with this PC?
2) If gaming, what size monitor does he have?
3) Why does this PC have to be "expensive"?
4) Is he or you building this PC or are you gonna buy from a company?
5) What is his exact budget and what EXACT parts does he need for that budget? DO NOT SAY THE TOWER ONLY. Be more specific like hard drive, CPU, RAM, case, etc.
6) Why RAID10?
 
You need more direction than that. Budget is going to be a big factor. Also, I know of NO single core processor that you would ever want to put in a high end PC. Dual is the way to go.

There's also no way to make a computer that won't crash, especially when you factor in all the problems that can be caused by end users and retarded software.
 
Lol at OP, its like saying i need an automobile. We don't know if u want a VW bug, or if your going offroading in a truck.

As everyone has said, unless you do something outright crazy like THIS, a single core isn't going to be better when used in any application.
 
I don't think Intel even makes single core DESKTOP CPUs anymore, aside from Celerons... which would negate #3. :eek:

Answer Danny's questions or pickup an HP Blackbird.
 
Danny Bui said:
Really dumb idea to go with a single core CPU these days for gaming rig. Many dual-core CPUs are faster than single core CPUs due to a better architecture, efficiency and other major improvements. So I highly doubt that you'll find a single-core CPU that can outperform many current C2D or even Athlon 64 CPUs.

Also, we're gonna need a bit more answers or we can't help you:
1) What is your boss going to be doing with this PC?
2) If gaming, what size monitor does he have?
3) Why does this PC have to be "expensive"?
4) Is he or you building this PC or are you gonna buy from a company?
5) What is his exact budget and what EXACT parts does he need for that budget? DO NOT SAY THE TOWER ONLY. Be more specific like hard drive, CPU, RAM, case, etc.
6) Why RAID10?
Click to expand...

Don't shoot me, I'm the messenger...

1. My guess is primarily a gaming PC
2. 30" monitor best guess
3. Expensive really means price isn't an issue. Probably should have worded that better in my original post
4. The machine will be built
5. Exact budget is open ended seriously. If they system you configure comes up to 5K he's pay, if it comes up to 10K he'll pay. 20K I'll have to give a damn good reason but he'd probably pay. He needs a full system minus the monitor, keyboard, speakers, printer.
6. Reliability?? My guess is he wants the fast read - writes plus the mirroring. Raid 1 would probably be just a good, probably have to do some convincing.
 
Why not just go with a boutique if price isnt an issue ? That way he'll get highest stable performace with assurance that its been tested and stressed.
 
Darkatom said:
Why not just go with a boutique if price isnt an issue ? That way he'll get highest stable performace with assurance that its been tested and stressed.
Click to expand...

Yep. If price is no object = prebuilt.

Hell, go for a Voodoo or Falcon Northwest top of the line rig. Don't forget to mention the 10k desk to go with your 10k PC :D
 
He's had an XPS and an Voodoo Omen and was dissatisfied with the products. Now he want's it custom built....
 
So get on newegg.

Line up the items by price, highest to lowest.

Start clicking.

Check for compatability, (most things should match).

Epic, win.
 
Given what you have said about your boss, try, Overdrive PC. I run a boutique financial services consulting firm and I purchase a new Overdrive PC on an annual basis with the "fast as possible but stable" design point.

Because of the revenue potential in my business I'm an early adopter of ever faster PCs. OverDrive PC delivered the technology of the recently announced Voodoo Omen to me several months ago (at a lower price because the case isn't so gaudy. They are terrific machines if you want to spend the money.

The new case is most definitely "powerful but not too geeky". $4K to $15K depending on number of SSD vs Velociraptors RAID options and number of graphics cards (I don't game but I do run four thirty inch LCDs).

Mario Cifaldi the CTO or Aaron can get you a quote and pictures. You can check out their site and in their forums there are pictures and a more complete description of my build.

I have no business relationship with them other than as a satisfied customer and I never would have heard of them without [H] Consumer.

zkv
 
cismajor97 said:
Don't shoot me, I'm the messenger...

1. My guess is primarily a gaming PC
2. 30" monitor best guess
....
6. Reliability?? My guess is he wants the fast read - writes plus the mirroring. Raid 1 would probably be just a good, probably have to do some convincing.
Click to expand...

That's a lot of guesses. Go and get some hard answers from him.
 
Your boss may not like hearing this, but the best way to get real stability is to control the software that goes on there. The vast majority of crashes are from crappy software, not hardware problems.
 
Don't forget all the extras you can add in to bring that price up even more like cool drive bay accessories, sound card, aftermarket coolers, fans. If your boss is the kind of guy I think he is, he is interesting not just in bragging about what his computer can do, but also what else it can do.
 
That is one beastly mock up, dont forget the OP's hourly rate for assembly ;).
 
ND40oz said:
Alright, well lets spend his money then

Intel D5400XS =$660
Intel QX9775 - $1549 (x2)
Crucial PC2-6400 FB-Dimm 2 x 2GB - $250 (x2)
EVGA GTX 280 Superclocked - $660 (x2)
Zalman 9700 - $54 (x2)
3Ware 9690SA-8i - $699
Fujitsu 300GB 15k SAS - $469.99 (x4)
Lian-Li PC-V2110B - $389
Corsair HX1000 - $269

Grand Total = $8923
Click to expand...

You did it wrong. You aren't spending enough money and there are a couple of better choices for some of the components.

Intel D5400XS Motherboard
Intel Core 2 Extreme Edition QX9775 Processors (x2)
Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme CPU Coolers (x2)
Crucial PC2-6400 FB-DIMMs (4x2GB)
2x eVGA Geforce GTX 280 FTW Edition Video cards
areca ARC-1680IX-12 PCIe x8 SAS RAID Card
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional Sound card
Fujitsu 300GB 15k SAS Hard Drives (x8)
SONY 4X Blu-ray DVD Burner Black & Gray SATA Model BWU-200S
PC Power & Cooling PPCT1200ESA 1200W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply
Lian-Li PC-V2110B Case

Grand Total=11,405 (Before shipping and assembly)

I picked a better RAID controller (I don't like 3Ware and I would go with a SAS card with more ports) added a sound card, went with a nicer PSU, and better CPU coolers. I thought 2x2GB modules wasn't enough either since the board supports Quad-Channel memory so I upped the memory to include two additional 2GB modules. I also added the eVGA Geforce GTX 280 FTW Edition cards. I also went with 8 hard drives instead of four since we are going all out and money isn't much of an object here. :)
 
enginurd said:
:confused::eek: ... TRUE120's plz... if they fit.

No, seriously though, the HP Blackbird is pretty damn customizable, lol. Even an AVA Direct, Velocity Micro, or Maingear custom build would get the job done.
Click to expand...

The Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme CPU coolers will fit on the D5400XS. The only issue lies with height clearance issues in some cases.
 
one wrod: Skulltrail.

most expensive, fastest PC available. if #3 requirement is EXPENSIVE, it starts with SKulltrail. these systems start at 4 grand but cant be matched for performance.
 
Dan_D said:
You did it wrong. You aren't spending enough money and there are a couple of better choices for some of the components.

Grand Total=11,405 (Before shipping and assembly)

I picked a better RAID controller (I don't like 3Ware and I would go with a SAS card with more ports) added a sound card, went with a nicer PSU, and better CPU coolers. I thought 2x2GB modules wasn't enough either since the board supports Quad-Channel memory so I upped the memory to include two additional 2GB modules. I also added the eVGA Geforce GTX 280 FTW Edition cards. I also went with 8 hard drives instead of four since we are going all out and money isn't much of an object here. :)
Click to expand...

LOL, yeah, I just threw it together quick with stuff that was in stock, might as well add a nineth drive and go raid 50 at this point. :p

I did specify two of the 4 gig kits for quad channel, the 4 gig sticks are still so damn expensive.

Can't believe I forgot the blu-ray burner though, I didn't even have an optical drive...
 
ND40oz said:
LOL, yeah, I just threw it together quick with stuff that was in stock, might as well add a nineth drive and go raid 50 at this point. :p

I did specify two of the 4 gig kits for quad channel, the 4 gig sticks are still so damn expensive.

Can't believe I forgot the blu-ray burner though, I didn't even have an optical drive...
Click to expand...

Gettn rusty ;)


:D
 
OP - Given the questions you are asking and that it's your boss (and it sounds like a personal, aka home, computer for him), I'd say the best option is one of the vendors.

If you build it then you are responsible for tech support in his eyes and it's going to be nothing but headaches for you.

The HP Blackbird or FalconNW would be good "expensive" choices.

That all said, I think only retards pay more than $2k for a computer. It's a terrible investment and depreciates quickly.
 
no software supports 8 cores so even tho the synthetics are INCREDIBLE the app/game benchmarks are similar to those of single quad systems. A lot of money for nothing that will be obsolete in the fall.
 
newegg use to sell that MOBO bundled with 11,000$ worth of memory instant 600 something $ rebate when bought together, the MOBO was ~600$ so it was like getting the MOBO for free... no reason not to if you are buying the memory i guess... but idk who would use that kind of memory except for that board and maybe some graphics workstations ... maybe find one 2nd hand on ebay from some one who got it in that bundle?
 
This boss is gonna be pissed when Nehalem's drop :(

But then he can build another super awesome crazy fast PC in a year :)
 
r0b0tc0rpse said:
no software supports 8 cores so even tho the synthetics are INCREDIBLE the app/game benchmarks are similar to those of single quad systems. A lot of money for nothing that will be obsolete in the fall.
Click to expand...

That is not true at all. There are plenty of applications that support 8 cores. The problem is that few of them are consumer level. Many video editing software suites and 3D rendering programs support and take advantage of 8 cores very well. Software developers will find it useful as it can cut down on compiling times and data base guys can use the extra power as well. Hell there are even at least two games that support 8 cores (Lost Planet and the latest version of Microsoft Flight Simulator.) There are other bennefits to having 8 cores as well. You can use the extra cores for folding or doing any number of things. So while the usefulness of 8 cores over 4 is minimal at best in a typical home user or desktop usage scenario it is incorrect to say that no software supports running on 8 cores because that is completely untrue.

I do however agree that buying such a system will be alot of money for nothing. He'll likely be able to get what he needs out of a standard single processor quad core system.
 
Stability is gonna be razor thin with this. The user doesn't sound all that "knowing".
 
If yer boss wants a computer that never crashes get a Mac.

Macs never crash and always "just work", right? :rolleyes:

[LYL]Homer;1032638217 said:
OP - Given the questions you are asking and that it's your boss (and it sounds like a personal, aka home, computer for him), I'd say the best option is one of the vendors.

If you build it then you are responsible for tech support in his eyes and it's going to be nothing but headaches for you.

The HP Blackbird or FalconNW would be good "expensive" choices.

That all said, I think only retards pay more than $2k for a computer. It's a terrible investment and depreciates quickly.
Click to expand...
Awesome advice there, couldnt agree more.
 
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