The Company Computer. How doe these specs sound?

[Wolfmight]

We are planning to build a new computer for the company's main workstation. How do these specs look? We aren't going to play games on it, but we just want it to be as fast as possible. How does the power supply look? I'm not sure how much heat this baby will pull, so I tried the 850W with all the good stuff on it, such as Dual 12V Rail...etc.

I'm going to use the OCZ ram in the system and the CORSAIR ram in the Gigabyte I-Ram chipset.

We all agreed to get some nice sound too, because we always like to keep some music playing.

I always worry about the motherboard not being "good enough" when buying computers, but I suppose it has all the correct features on it from what I see. What would you recommend for the motherboard? It is the backbone of the entire system after all...

The graphics card is not blazing fast, because we wont be playing any games. We did however, want something that could take advantage of Windows Vista's Aero interface, so I suppose the 6800GT should do the trick. 8 pixel pipelines is still funny for me though, maybe I'll up it to a 12. What do you think?

The hardrive was pretty easy to target. I got 2 of the 10,000rpm 74GB WD Raptors to link up in RAID. I use a single WD Raptor now and highly recommend it!

1
ASUS TA770 – Vento 7700 Black/Blue Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811173016)
Model #: TA770 – Vento 7700
Item #: N82E16811173016
$149.99 -$10.00 Instant $139.99

1
ASUS A8N32-SLI Deluxe Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce SPP 100 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813131568)
Model #: A8N32-SLI Deluxe
Item #: N82E16813131568
$162.99 $162.99

1
XFX PVT42EUDE3 Geforce 6800XT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814150130)
Model #: PVT42EUDE3
Item #: N82E16814150130
Mail-in Rebate (http://images10.newegg.com/uploadfilesfornewegg/rebate/SH/XFX14-150-130Oct01Oct1506kl09.pdf)
$134.99 $134.99

1
GIGABYTE GC-RAMDISK PCI SATA RAM Drive Add-On Card - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16815168001)
Model #: GC-RAMDISK
Item #: N82E16815168001
$114.99 $114.99 Update (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:WishListUpdate%28%27https://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/%27,%2717-256-007%27,%27HISTORY%27%29;)

1
SILVERSTONE ST85ZF ATX12V/ EPS12V 850W Power Supply - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16817256007)
Model #: ST85ZF
Item #: N82E16817256007
$298.99 -$15.00 Instant $283.99

1
AMD Athlon 64 X2 5200+ Windsor 2.6GHz Socket AM2 Processor Model ADA5200IAA6CS - OEM (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819103758)
Model #: ADA5200IAA6CS
Item #: N82E16819103758
$399.00 $399.00

2
CORSAIR XMS 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWINX2048-3200 - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820145486)
Model #: TWINX2048-3200
Item #: N82E16820145486
$260.00 -$20.00 Instant $480.00

2
OCZ 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Platinum Desktop Memory Model OCZ4002048ELDCPE-K - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820227210)
Model #: OCZ4002048ELDCPE-K
Item #: N82E16820227210
$309.99 -$20.00 Instant $579.98

2
Western Digital Raptor WD740ADFD 74GB 10,000 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822136033)
Model #: WD740ADFD
Item #: N82E16822136033
$149.99 $299.98
1
Saitek PZ30AU Black USB Wired Standard Eclipse Keyboard - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16823175103)
Model #: PZ30AU
Item #: N82E16823175103
$44.99 $44.99

1
Logitech MX518 931352-0403 2-Tone 8 Buttons 1x Wheel USB + PS/2 Optical Mouse - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16826104178)
Model #: 931352-0403
Item #: N82E16826104178
$39.99 $39.99

1
LITE-ON 16X DVD±R DVD Burner Black ATAPI/E-IDE Model SHW-160P6S-04 - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16827106013)
Model #: SHW-160P6S-04
Item #: N82E16827106013
$31.99 $31.99

1
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS SB0350 7.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound Card - OEM (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16829102178)
Model #: 30SB035000000
Item #: N82E16829102178
$74.99 -$8.00 Instant $66.99

1
Logitech Z-2300 200 watts RMS 2.1 Speaker System - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16836121122)
Model #: 970118-0403
Item #: N82E16836121122
$103.99 $103.99


Subtotal: $2,883.86

[Virtualbody1234]

Warning! The chosen CPU doesn't match the Motherboard socket!

You definitely don't need SLI for a business PC.

Why do you want to use performance RAM in the Gigabyte i-RAM? There's a bottleneck at the SATA interface so you won't benefit from faster RAM.

Why do you think you need such high power 850W PSU?

Do you plan on running the Raptors in RAID 0? If so then do you know the risks for data loss (considering this a "company" computer)?

[Formula1]

Warning! The chosen CPU doesn't match the Motherboard socket!

lmao.. :lol:

You'd do yourself a better favor by getting an intel core 2 duo. Go to google and search for benchmarks, like this http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/intel_core_conroe_benchmarks/. And you should post a budget for your system.

[Seedler]

[SIZE=3]We aren't going to play games on it

of course not;) .

Also, like VB said, the CPU will not fit into the mobo.

That cpu needs a socket 940 mobo, and wut you have is a socket 939.

Btw, scratch AMD altogther, because the new conroes are much faster.

I recommand the Asus P4C800-E for mobo and the Intel Conroe Core 2 X6800, if price is not a limit here:).

Just look at the benchmarks, intel cpus kill amds as of now.

http://www.tweaktown.com/articles/914/1/page_1_benchmarking_intel_conroe_core_2/index.html

[Virtualbody1234]

That cpu needs a socket 940 mobo, and wut you have is a socket 939.


That's not true. That CPU needs an AM2 Socket.

[lynx]

What's the point of the Gigabyte Ram Drive? The only practical use I can see in a commercial setup is for the page file, you certainly wouldn't want it for permanent storage.

The memory matches the motherboard but not the processor. If you change the motherboard don't forget to change to DDR2 ram.

Alternatively change the processor:
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4800+ Toledo 2.4GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket 939 Dual Core Processor - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103544)

[Virtualbody1234]

What's the point of the Gigabyte Ram Drive? The only practical use I can see in a commercial setup is for the page file, you certainly wouldn't want it for permanent storage.



Well I didn't say it but I really don't see the point of the system as a whole. It doesn't make sense as a "company's main workstation".

[zapjb]

Never hear of that brand PSU. But if you're willing to spend $283.99.

Then get the best brand PC Power & Cooling. Maybe even clocker would agree. :)

[Shiranai_Baka]

Where is the HSF?

[Virtualbody1234]

Where is the HSF?

Good point but if he gets the Toledo that lynx suggested then it's included.

[clocker]

The Corsair 620 (http://www.corsairmemory.com/corsair/HX_power_supply.html) would easily power such a rig and save money to boot.
I also agree that a Conroe based system makes more sense than an AM2...a 6600 Core2 Duo (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115003) paired with the Gigabyte GA 965P (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813128012) should do nicely.
As fun as the iRAM is, I'm not sure what use you see for it.
Forget the Raptors as well- a pair of perpendicular SATA Seagates run using Matrix RAID would blow the Raptors away.

[Wolfmight]

OK, I've got a ton of Answers and Questions. Thanks for the help btw, You guys are awesome.


Why do you want to use performance RAM in the Gigabyte i-RAM? There's a bottleneck at the SATA interface so you won't benefit from faster RAM.Thanks for letting me know. Which ram would you recommend for i-Ram instead to save money and get the best possible performance from it? We are thinking of install XP (or Vista...if it's out) on the i-RAM "only" to help it run smoother. Everything else will be stored on the hardrives and server.
Reinstillation of the OS is no problem. I-Ram doesn't shock dead anytime soon does it? I remember having memory chips in cartridges (from the 90s) that would lose all their data if there was a power failure or so. I-Ram may just have potential risks. hmmmm




Why do you think you need such high power 850W PSU? Wasn't sure, with so many parts going to need power. I remember reading something about the faster components get, the more power they consume. Correct? :wacko:




Do you plan on running the Raptors in RAID 0? If so then do you know the risks for data loss (considering this a "company" computer)?Hmm...probably would be better to stick without RAID. How much higher are the risks? Twice as high?




What's the point of the Gigabyte Ram Drive? The only practical use I can see in a commercial setup is for the page file, you certainly wouldn't want it for permanent storage.



Well I didn't say it but I really don't see the point of the system as a whole. It doesn't make sense as a "company's main workstation".
Probably should have said the company is pretty small. Only 3 people will be using this system...not at the same time of course. 33% of the time each on average...some days more or less. Some days 1 guy'll probably use it all day...yadda yadda. It will be the super computer for PROCESS INTENSIVE tasks only.


Warning! The chosen CPU doesn't match the Motherboard socket! Holy shit, 940, AM2...I must have missed something in the past year. Wtf is up with 939 and 940 anyways? Why the extra...pin? AM2...is that like 1000? hah. Still...thank goodness. I'da had to send the damn thing back and wait a month.



Quote:
Originally Posted by Seedler View Post

That cpu needs a socket 940 mobo, and wut you have is a socket 939.
That's not true. That CPU needs an AM2 Socket.lol


Never hear of that brand PSU. But if you're willing to spend $283.99.

Then get the best brand PC Power & Cooling. Maybe even clocker would agree. Thank you. I hate most power supplies, because very few are actually good. They have caused me more problems than any other component in the PC. I'd replace them with a better one and every would work great for years after. Goes to show...some are just crap. (especially PowMax...those evil bastards)


Where is the HSF? I've got a ton here, but it probably wouldn't hurt getting a nice Zalman or something. thanks anyways


The Corsair 620 would easily power such a rig and save money to boot.
I also agree that a Conroe based system makes more sense than an AM2...a 6600 Core2 Duo paired with the Gigabyte GA 965P should do nicely.
As fun as the iRAM is, I'm not sure what use you see for it.
Forget the Raptors as well- a pair of perpendicular SATA Seagates run using Matrix RAID would blow the Raptors away.I'll have to convince everyone to try an Intel chip instead. I remember when Nvidia's new gfx cards wooped ATIs gfx cards in most benchmarks last christmas and the begining of this year.
I see the I-Ram for running the OS, but I am now thinking it might be risky and I'll be reinstalling the OS more often than I'd like due to how easy data can be dropped from memory. Heck, I remember having SNES games drop all their saves when the house had any brown outs. Tiny memory, but I assume it's similar. As for the Gigabyte motherboard...I'mmm kinda startin to dislike Gigabyte, due to strange glitches in the BIOS I've had to face on 2 different systems. Settings would change without me every modifying anything...or if I reset the settings, I'd start getting Nvidia RAID checks that were unable to be removed and normally just went away after like 10 restarts...can't explain that one. heh
Asus still good? I had one before and just loved it.


Ok, let's see what's going to be modified...
1. Intel Core2 Duo cpu, (Drop the AMD CPU)
2. Intel Core2 Due supported Motherboard made by Asus...or maybe Gigabyte, (Drop the AMD asus motherboard that wouldna fit the AM2 AMD CPU anyways...damn socket types sneak up on ya when you look at several boards or cpus)
3. Probably drop the I-Ram due to risks of data loss from power outages, static, etc
4. Drop one of the Raptors, since RAID has much higher risks of data loss that running a single Raptor.
5. Get a nice CPU HFS
6. Use the bathroom in 10 seconds causing me to possibly forget to mention 1 more thing.

[Formula1]

If you're planning on overclocking i would recommend the e6600 over the e6700 and x6800. you can easily overclock the e6600 way beyond an x6800. I'd only recommend the x6800 if you just have alot of cash to blow, or you're an extreme overclocker. The main siginificant thing about the x6800 is the unlimited multiplier which is only usefuly when you overclock. Save the money to get a good 24 inch LCD monitor :P...

Processor intel e6600: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115003

Motherboard, Asus seems to make the best mobos for intel core 2 duo but at a high price, this board should do http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131028 , or if you wanna go overboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131025

Ram: They recently increased the price of ddr2 ram by around 60$ due to supply and demand. This corsair seems good http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145034, OR IF you can afford it, you could try getting ddr1000 instead of ddr800 , http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231077

Most of the other stuff i assume you can decide on your own. Remember the 7600gt is a much better card than that 6800xt, so if you're trying to get a decent for this workstation, then just get a 7600gt for the hell of it. And if you're not going to buy 2 graphics cards for one system, then an 850 watt is pointless, my 2 cents.

[mr. nails]

i also vote e6600 and pc power and cooling!

[clocker]

Wolfie:
I've had the i-RAM for several months and never experienced any data loss.
The backup battery is good for about 12 hours.
That said, XP will just barely fit on the i-RAM's 4GB drive and there's no way Vista would.

You can run PC2700 on the card without slowing it down and remember that you cannot have heatspreaders on the modules as there just isn't room.
The speed and silence are great but unless the three users are all fairly experienced and mindful (no more dumping files willy-nilly on the desktop, for instance) it would be more trouble than it's worth.


PCP&C supplies are nice but you don't need that much power and they tend to be noisy as well.
The Seasonic S12/M12's are powerful and virtually silent.
The Hiper 580 worked well in Sprocket but you have to be aware of the extra length.
The previously mentioned Corsair is also highly rated and has an interesting cabling design.

I'd also skip the Asus Vento case and look at the CM Stacker TC-T01 (the original)... more adaptable layout and great cooling.

[Wolfmight]

The
Forget the Raptors as well- a pair of perpendicular SATA Seagates run using Matrix RAID would blow the Raptors away.

Which type of seagates? What's Matrix RAID?

[Virtualbody1234]

This one: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320 GB

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822148140

http://www.intel.com/design/chipsets/matrixstorage_sb.htm#desk

[Wolfmight]

what's RAM Voltage? Is it only good for Overclocking or does a higher voltage give better performance?

[Formula1]

Ram voltage is electrical power to the ram on the motherboard. Usually ram is given the highest voltage possible it can handle, to allow stability and greater overclocking of it.

[Wolfmight]

Ram voltage is electrical power to the ram on the motherboard. Usually ram is given the highest voltage possible it can handle, to allow stability and greater overclocking of it.

oh ok. thanks.


hah, after making all those changes to our wishlist, the price dropped all the way down to $2,100! NICE!

[Virtualbody1234]

What's the new wishlist?

[Wolfmight]

What's the new wishlist?

well...the updated wishlist.
Newegg has a wishlist feature to organize a sale for the future.