Need advice on new Workstation Build....

[Mathew Everett]

For the most part I run dual monitors @ 1980 x 1440 with 2 versions of 3ds max all day, I might be rendering in one while working on a project in the other. I need a system that will allow me to run both and my other programs all at the same time without showing a hikcupp...

Budget: $10,000 or lower.. the lower the better.

Standard must have specs:

- Windows XP Pro
- AMD Opteron "Dual Core" 2 Physical CPUs
- 4GB Ram 2Gigs per CPU
- Nvidia 7950GX2 "I run in DirectX not Open GL"
- Dual HDs 2 x 250GB 7200RPM or better Non Raid
- 2 x DVD Burner DVD+RW/DL/+R-R/CD-RW Double Media 4.7/8.5GB
- No Keyboard or Mouse or monitor I have those things

This is what I have so far, let me know if you find something better or give me your input on what I have listed.
---------------------------------------------------------------

l Xi® MTower™ 2P64 Workstation (Base Configuration) $1,599.00
Upgrades And Options:
l 2 x AMD® Opteron™ 285 64Bit Dual Core (DC250) 2048KB Cache 2 Way HyperTransport™ $2,199.00
l 4096MB DDR 400MHz PC3200 Registered ECC Dual Rank Interleave $539.00
l nVidia® EVGA® GeForce 7950 GX2 1024M DDR3 PCIe SLI-Ready Dual Head 2xDVI-I Dual Link HDTV $649.00
l No Monitor ($100.00)
l 250GB 7200RPM SATAII 300MB/s 16MB Cache 9ms $89.00
l Optional 250GB 7200RPM SATAII 300MB/s 16MB Cache 9ms $115.00
l HD Ctrl. According To Motherboard and HD Type Selected $0.00
l DVD+RW/DL/+R-R LightScribe™ Double Media 4.7/8.5GB 16x w/SW-Media $79.00
l DVD+RW/DL/+R-R/CD-RW SONY DW-Q30A Double Media 4.7/8.5GB 16 w/SW-media $69.00
l 1.44MB 3 1/2" Floppy Drive $0.00
l On Board Sound AC 97 Codec or accordingly to motherboard selected $0.00
l On board 1GB Ethernet (10/100/1000) on board LAN $0.00
l Logitech® Deluxe Black Windows Keyboard $0.00
l No mouse ($7.00)
l Genuine Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional CD-ROM w/manuals/act.reg.** SP2 $69.00
l Tyan® K8WE S2877ANRF Nvidia® NForce® Pro 2xPCIe SLI cap. 4xPCI to 12/24GB-1x1G.Bit LAN-SATAII-RAID 0/1/10- 6CH Sound-1394 $49.00
l 700W OCZ GameXStream™ Quiet 12cm BB Fan PowerWhisper™ UL $159.00
l Three Years System Parts & Labor + Three Year On Site Service $259.00
l Xi® MTower™ Alum.2x12cm Quiet Fans-2x Front USB+1394- MatrixVX™ VD3000BWA Tt™ 460W UL PS-4x 5 1/4" 6x 3 1/2" $0.00

Total: $6,048.13

[RErender]

I'd recommend two computers and a KVM.

[Olli96]

well, looks ok, i was in the same situation and i am going to buy this little baby this month:

Tyan Thunder K8We [420€]
2x Opteron 285 2.6 Ghz [2030€]
4x Corsair Reg ECC PC400 1024MB [480€]
NVIDIA 7900GTX 512MB [475€]
2x 300GB Seagate HDD 16mb/7200U [200€]
DVD LG GSA 4166B [70€]
Thermaltake NEZ 550W ToughPower [120€]
Case: Coolermaster Stacker STC-T01 [150€]
Casefan: Crossflow Fan [30€]
Logitech Cordless Desktop MX5000 [110€]

sums up to around 4100€

i was aiming for one machine from alienware but since i cant order pc's from the american store (there is a german store but the same pc will cost more then 1500€ more if i buy it over here then in the us) i will build the pc myself. saves me almost 1000€ then if i would buy a complete system somewhere on the net.

I need a system that will allow me to run both and my other programs all at the same time without showing a hikcupp...

i think the pc will run very fast but there is always a chance of a hickup if you ruinning apps that are needing a lot of cpu power or ram... if you got 10000&, buy two pcs you should get two very decent pc for that amount of money.

Olli

[DaForce]

Hey Matthew, if your not planning on playing games I wouldnt bother getting the 7950, it wont make any difference in the viewports.

Instead send it to me. ... my 7800GTX is starting to show its age..

[Mathew Everett]

Well I run my 2 screens at 3880 x 1440, so the 7950GX2 is the better bet. Also I work over of DirectX mode and not open GL so a Quadro card isn't needed.

The main point is I need a card that will run Dual monitors at High resoulutions. My current setup chokes with the res I am running with 2 versions of Max running. and throw Photshop in makes it even worse.

If I went 2 PC's I would need a KVM that could support Dual monitors for both PC's

[RErender]

If I went 2 PC's I would need a KVM that could support Dual monitors for both PC's

Yep they have those, quad even

http://www.kvms.com/dual-monitor-kvm-switch.asp

[Mathew Everett]

What would be faster? Opteron 285 or a Athlon FX 62?

[Dynedain]

Skip Alienware, especially now that Dell bought them. An intern here just got a top of the line machine from them... it was a month late becaause the parts were on backorder, he's had issues with many of the components (bad processor, bad video card, etc.) and their support people have been very bad about looking into the issues, even though he has a full support contract/warranty.

Go with BoXX, far more reliability. If you're a gamer, and have free time to continuously futz with your computer, Alienware is an option. But if you need stability and reliability so you can spend your time on work, go with BoXX.

[Mathew Everett]

I am using Xicomputers, In my opinion they make better hardware for alot less tham Boxx... I have had 4 systems from XI with no issues.

http://www.xicomputer.com/index.html

[BlueShift]

My advice would be to wait till Vista before investing heavily in a current generation graphics card. DX10 is going to allow for certain pipelines etc. on cards to be separate providing more power. Also due noting is that in a few months (usually in Q3-Q4 of the financial year) new cards come out - without a doubt there will be some very interesting hardware being released, which should push prices of the 7xxx series down.


/BlueShift

[Mathew Everett]

Waiting for Vista won't help me much as 3Ds Max isn't built for Vista yet. as for grphics I am looking for somethign that will push dual monitors at high res. not DX10

[Adam H. Stewart]

Have you bought this machine ?

Have you bought your new machine ? I am in the same situation since my home box went on fire about a month ago ( ram problem ). I am a big boxxtech fan, seeing you recommend xi computers has me thinking otherwise ? If you have already bought this machine, how is it going for you are you happy so far ?

Thanks as always.