Which Budget Workstation?

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SirWilliam

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Aug 18, 2008
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I am looking at two computers and I am not sure which one to choose. I am uncertain which is more important processing power or RAM?

I am looking at an HP Z800 with a Xeon E5520 2.26GHz processor, 3GB 1333MHz ECC RAM, 320GB 7200RPM NCQ HDD, 850 watt power supply.

The other is an HP Z400 with a Xeon W3540 2.93 GHz processor, 4GB 333MHz ECC RAM, 300GB 10000RPM HDD, 475watt power supply.

They both cost roughly $2200.

I really like the Z800 because the modular case design is really nice and it can hold 12 DIMMS of RAM and two processors (not that I would ever need two processors). The Z400 does not have as nice of a case but does have a faster processor but can only hold 4 DIMMS of RAM.

I am looking for a computer that I can continue to upgrade over time. The Z800 has a lot more room for expansion but it also has a much less powerful processor.

I already have a good Quadro graphics card. I am going to be using this computer for CAD and possibly some video games.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.
 
it depends on how much ram you truly plan on using. 4 dimms can still hold 16GB or 8GB (if you dont want to spend a grand).

it also depends on what type of video card you plan on upgrading to, can the quadro you plan on swapping in run on the 475w psu? do you ever plan on upgrading to a more powerful gpu that will require a better psu?

if you don't need more than 8GB of RAM and don't plan on upgrading the gpu to something incredibly power hungry, I think the Z400 is better.
 
I do plan on upgrading the GPU...I believe that requirements for my Quadro FX1800 are only a 350 watt power supply. My friend has a Quadro FX4800...I would not mind to upgrading to something more serious like that but would it need more than a 475watt power supply? How important is the processor speed these days? Will I notice much of a difference in speed between these two computers?
 
Have you looked at the dell percision line? Seems like you could get a nice t3500 for a good deal less. I want to say the last ones we ordered for a client were like 1300 and that was with a 2.66 quad core, 4 gigs of ram, 160gig hd, 22 inch lcd, office basic, and vista business(ordered them a few days before 7 came out, one has had its upgrade installed).

Just go through a business rep to get a better price. The t3500 also has 6 memory slots.

For around 2100 or so you should be able to pick up a t5500 with dual quad core 2.0 chips, 4 gigs of ram, 7 professional, etc. It has 6 slots with one processor but can be expanded to 9 slots via a riser card if you are running 2 procs.
 
If I bought the z800 though with a single e5520 processor and then added a second one later would that provide better performance than the W3520? Also the T3500 only have a 475 watt psu...is there room to upgrade it? Also does anyone know how the Lenovo S20 is? I can configure one with a W3520 and no graphics card which is not an option with the Dell.
 
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hofan41 said:
agreed with above post. the T3500 with a W3520 is an awesome machine.
Click to expand...


I bought one on eBay for $75, with a Xeon 3550. It's certainly not showing it's age yet. Windows 10 boots up in 5 to 8 seconds coldboot SSD . Battlefield 60 -100+ FPS plus with gtx 970
 
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