Computer Specs

[glorybound]

I am pricing a new workstation. Here is what I have. you guys are the smartest people on the planet so I respect your opinions. (Max 2009 and V-ray)

Base Unit:
Dell Precision T3400 Convertible MiniTower Processor QX9650, 3.00GHz 1333, 12MB L2, 525W (223-6895)
Processor:
Mini-Tower Chassis Configuration, Dell Precision T3400 (311-7463)
Memory:
16GB, 800MHz, DDR2 ECC SDRAM Memory, 4X4GB, Dell Precision T3400 (311-9190)
Keyboard:
Entry Level, USB, No Hot Keys keyboards, Dell PrecisionWorkstations (310-7949)
Monitor:
Monitor Option-None (320-3316)
Video Card:
Dual nVidia Quadro FX1700 512MB dual DVI Graphics Card Dell Precision T3400 (320-5875)
Hard Drive:
160GB SATA,10K RPM 3.0Gb/s 2.5inch,SATA2 16MB Data Burst Cache,Dell Precision (341-7143)
Hard Drive Controller:
C1, All SATA, NO RAID for 1 Hard Drive (341-5209)
Floppy Disk Drive:
No Floppy Drive, Dell Precision (341-5255)
Operating System:
Windows XP 64 SP2 with WindowsVista Business 64 Edition License, Dell Precision English, Factory Install (420-7632)
Mouse:
Dell USB 2-Button Entry Mouse with Scroll for Dell Precision (310-7959)
CD-ROM or DVD-ROM Drive:
16X DVD+/-RW, Data Only, Dell Precision T3400 (313-5709)
CD-ROM or DVD-ROM Drive:
Roxio Creator Dell Edition,9.0Dell Precision (420-7980)
CD-ROM or DVD-ROM Drive:
Cyberlink Power DVD 8.1,with Media,Dell OptiPlex/Precision (420-9179)
Speakers:
No Speaker option (313-2663)
Documentation Diskette:
No Resource CD for Dell Optiplex,Precision and Latitude Systems (310-9546)
Service:
ProSupport for IT: 7x24 Technical Support for certified IT Staff, Initial (984-5800)
Service:
Dell Hardware Limited Warranty Plus Onsite Service Initial Year (989-3727)
Service:
Thank you choosing Dell ProSupport. For tech support, visit http://support.dell.com/ProSupport or call 1-866-516-31 (989-3449)
Service:
Dell Hardware Limited Warranty Plus Onsite Service Extended Year(s) (989-372
Service:
ProSupport for IT: Next Business Day Parts and Labor Onsite Response Initial Year (986-1480)
Service:
ProSupport for IT: Next Business Day Parts and Labor Onsite Response 2 Year Extended (985-6112)
Service:
ProSupport for IT: 7x24 Technical Support for certified IT Staff, 2 Year Extended (983-9152)
Installation:
Standard On-Site Installation Declined (900-9987)

Vista Premium Downgrade Relationship Desktop (310-9161)

[zeronove]

I suggest you to evaluate a dual xeon as well, instead of a qx that could be too expensive campared to

[MoonDoggie]

We are the smartest people on the planet. Thank you.

Either way, the new Nehalem processors from Intel (i7)'s are outperforming old quad cores quite well (http://www.extremetech.com/article2/...2333769,00.asp) and are comparably priced. Also they use DD3 memory triple channel memory and have a much lower latency than DD2 memory. I would certainly see if there is an option to configure a system with this cpu and memory config.

Also, from what I've seen in the video card market, the high-end gaming cards perform closely with workstation Quadro FX cards for 1/3 the price. Check into this.

-Colin

[glorybound]

Dell

This is what I got from my Dell rep:

"I don't believe these i7's will outperform dual Xeon with Quad core or even come close. Let me know if you want to explore those options."

[MoonDoggie]

According to this article that isn't the case.

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/...2333773,00.asp

I personally believe using max8 and older driver versions that s/he uses in the article is not a great indicator, as upgrading drivers usually for me results in better fps (shouldn't change render time as gauged in the review). Let me know what you think.

[beestee]

I would think Dell would frown upon overclocking if something were to go wrong and you had to fall back on those extended warranties you are no doubt paying a good chunk of change for.

From my understanding overclocking is why the i7's are getting the performance edge right now. If you are running a factory configuration, would the i7 still be worth it?

[MoonDoggie]

I wish I knew. I've been doing research to try and figure it out. The performance of the Triple channel DDR3 and memory bandwidth of the i7 mobos is incredible in every test though.

[beestee]

Apparently Extremetech did not overclock for those tests...so even running a stock configured i7 920 you will be getting better performance than the top of the line Core 2 Quad that was tested!

Nice.

[MoonDoggie]

Very similarly priced (i7's are cheaper) and like I said the memory bandwidth is incredible.

[glorybound]

vs Xeon processors

How are the Xeon's doing in the race?

[simmsimaging]

I just ordered 4 i7 920 systems based on reviews read online, and the results here:

www.benchwell.com

It's Maxwell render testing and it's a pretty good gauge. The i7's were clocking in about 10% slower than a dual Xeon 5340 which is what I was quoting it against, but the i7 boxes were nearly $1000 cheaper, and with 12GB of ram instead of 8Gb on the Xeon machine.

EDIT: that is $1000 cheaper PER machine btw.

Pretty good bang for the buck IMO.

b

[jacksc02]

I have been looking at getting a new computer through Dell and they do offer the i7 processors with and overclocked version. Check out the XPS range.

[zeronove]

The i7's were clocking in about 10% slower than a dual Xeon 5340 which is what I was quoting it against, but the i7 boxes were nearly $1000 cheaper, and with 12GB of ram instead of 8Gb on the Xeon machine.
b

really?

could you link some review? I'm starting to evaluate some hw upgrade, as well

[glorybound]

From our vendor

Any truth in this statement from our vendor?

There are no dual-socket Core i7 systems, but Xeon based workstations have dual socket configurations.

A system with the highest performing Xeon X5492 (3.4 GHz quad, 1600 MHz FSB, 12 MB cache) should be more than PLENYT! X5492s are hard to come buy (VERY expensive), so the next logical choice would be an X5482 (3.2 GHz version).

[rmejia]

There are no dual-socket Core i7 systems, but Xeon based workstations have dual socket configurations.

True......