Workstation Computer

S

Stu55

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Jan 25, 2005
Messages
1,679
My dad told me that his friend is needing a pc for his business which designs and makes graphics to print directly onto vinyl and other materials, etc. I am guessing that you would most likely want a workstation like computer for doing this sort of stuff. I am not too educated in workstation pc's and if anyone could help out that would be great. He said he would like a(n) xeon(s) processor(s). So what would be the best of choice? Single cpu/dual cpu? And what would be best for graphics power? I am guessing you wouldn't want like a 7800 or something. So would a quadro like graphics card work? If anyone could direct me in where I need to go that would be great. I think the budget is around $2,000 probably a little more.
 
Your first step should be to evaulate the software the person uses, determining minimum and recommended hardware and software requirements.
 
I'm not exactly sure, I will have to find out what he uses, I think it is something to the tune of graphical rendering of some sort so that it can be printed onto like vinyl and other materials for signs and things.
 
I don't really see why he would need a Quadro for that, sounds to me like the gfx card wont have to be all that beefy, and more of the money should go into getting a real nice Printer? or w/e it's called to print onto vinyl and such.
 
He's already got everything neccessary to do the printing including a regular pc, he just wants a better pc so that that things can be sped up.
 
Find out the software name, it might not even BE OpenGL - so u can dich the Quadro idea dna get some $100 vid card.

You will want dual Opterons - they are more powerful then Xeon's currently still i beleive.

also since working with graphics - you also want a fast I/O subsystem - Raptor harddrive, possibly 2 x 74g Raptors and a fast 200G 16mb SATA drive...

Also MINIMUM 2g's of RAM - graphics apps eat ram as alot of the work done with graphics is stored in ram.

If you want serious reliability - get a TYAN / SuperMicro motherboard for the CPU's - they have ones that range from $200-$300, which is not too expensive.


P.S - Does he have a monitor? If not - since he does what sound like serious work - DO NOT get an LCD - color representation and blacks on CRT's still leave LCD's with alot to be desired.
 
Ok, thanks that guides me in more of the right direction. I will have my dad ask him what he uses for software on monday.

So dual opteron is better in price/performance than dual xeons?

What would be a good setup for mobo/cpu(s)/ram?

I don't know if he has a monitor already or not, if not I will lead him the direction of a 21" or 22" flat CRT?
 
What are the power requirements for a board like that? Just regular standard ATX power supplies or 24 pin or what?
 
Or this:
http://www.foxconnchannel.com/products_motherboard_2.cfm?pName=NFPIK8AA-8EKRS

SIngle-socket dual-core Opteron board, using a standard ATX chassis and power supply. Eight SATA/300 ports and two 16x PCI slots for SLI. (I've built several workstations from these boards - all the fun of the nForce Pro without the special requirements of a dually board.)

And six USB headers so you can use all of the Stacker's front ports.
smile.gif
 
i got a 500w PSU - cant recall which, have to go find out, but was a top name one was $160 i recall.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top