Feedback on a Graphics Workstation?

[TimmiT]

This is what I have priced so far. Befor really tweaking for a final purchase, I wanted to get some feedback from the knowledge base here.

Cost is not too much of an issue sinnce it will be a business expense, and it will come off of taxable income. The goal is to get a powerhouse for graphics and video that will last quite a while.


LIAN LI PC-7A plus II Silver Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Model #: PC-7A plus II $119.99

ABIT IN9 32X-MAX LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard
Model #: IN9 32X-MAX $329.99

Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6700 Kentsfield 2.66GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80562QX6700
Model #: BX80562QX6700 $970.00

2x CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400
Model #: TWIN2X2048-6400 $336.00

ATI 100-505146 FireGL V7300 512MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card
Model #: 100-505146 $1,099.99

Antec True Power Trio TP3-550 ATX12V 550W Power Supply with Three 12V Rails
Model #: TP3-550 $99.99

Western Digital Raptor X WD1500AHFD 150GB 10,000 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive
Model #: WD1500AHFD $219.99

2x Sony NEC Optiarc 18X DVD±R DVD Burner With 12X DVD-RAM Write Black E-IDE / ATAPI Model 7170A-0B - OEM
Model #: 7170A-0B $57.98

Subtotal: $3,203.93

[johnny02004976]

looks great mate, wish i had that sort of money

perhaps you could add a bigger hard drive on there, maybe 500gb, if your doing graphics and video you might need the extra capacity

[TimmiT]

Thanks for the feedback. I will probably double that HD, but I also hav a lot of external storage, and most things are archived quickly.

I wish I had that sort of money for a personal rig, too.

[dave87]

Possibly try and go for 2x2gb sticks, give yourself some expandability for the future

Oh, and possibly change the PSU for something like the Corsair HX620, or Seasonic S12 600w.

If you are really wanting performance on the disk front, 2x74gb Raptors in RAID0 would probably be better than a single 150gb Raptor.

[TimmiT]

Thanks, dave86 . I looked at the Corsair PSU, and although it is about double the price, it had a lot of great reviews on Newegg. I also like the idea of the modular cables. I will make that swap.

Since I was thinking of more HD space, I may just got with the 150 GB drives in Raid 0. They seem to have similar specs overall.

[aidanjt]

If you're gonna get 2 150Gb Raptors then go with the standard ones, the Raptor X's are a waste of money, you'll never see the actuator arm through the window, the window increases vibration and noise and probably decreases reliability in the long run and save yourself 15-20 quid in the process. Another pointer might be going for the Asus P5B Deluxe instead of the Abit, you don't need an nForce chipset, Intel chipsets are more reliable for most of the part and since you're getting a FireGL card you definitely wont need SLi features of nVidia's NB chip, I've also had nothing but hassle from Abit boards in the past and I swear by Asus, never had a single problem with their engineering.

All in all, a nice spec though.

[Blitzen]

I've also had nothing but hassle from Abit boards in the past and I swear by Asus, never had a single problem with their engineering

Not being funny fella but thats just your personal opinion with no facts to back it up.

Over the last few months, as far as i have been reading just here, the ASUS boards are having way way more issues than the ABIT ones. (I have to agree to a certain extent though because i sont think the board the OP chose is worth anywhere near that cash).

[aidanjt]

Yup, it is personal opinion, and from dated experience, but experience none the less, I can't comment on the problems people have had with Asus boards lately because I don't know where the fault lies. *shrug* I find a lot of people blame board makers for faulty chips because they don't know better. Electrically I find Asus boards just solid. But again, that's just me, my opinion.

[TimmiT]

I have enjoyed my Abit board, and lke the bios interface. That is why I was looking at their board.

Would replacing the Raptors with 7200, 3.0Gb/s drives make much difference?

Also, I was looking at a PNY Gfx card, which was SLI capable. Is there a better MB selection that would work with my proposed gfx? I hate to pay for a feature that will not be used.

[CrazyMonkey]

Lovely Case, only heard good things about the board.

Its a Raptor

Looks lovely wish i had that

[alsenior]

i ave a pc 7. i'ts a nice case but it is bloody hard to keep tidy and it wont take long cards nicely

[staffsMike]

Is there any need for the 680i board. Obviously you wont be using SLi with an ATi graphics card so you may as well go with a single card mobo or a nvidia quadro gfx card (leaving room for another).

EDIT: I think this has already been covered but too tired to care

[TimmiT]

Well, this is the card I have looked at:
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16814195006

And this is the SLI card I was looking at:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814133162

The second is an extra $500, and if I was looking at it correctly, was not quite as good as the other.

Switch to the PNY, or what other MB / chipset would be good?

[aidanjt]

nVidia is traditionally stronger at OpenGL acceleration since their 3Dfx acquisition, it's up to yourself really. nVidia also opens other platforms such as Linux and FreeBSD, and therefore more industrial and free application choices.

[Lucio]

Perhaps you should get this card for your workstationLN17977, basically it's the Quadro equivilent of the GeForce 8800GTX and it's probably the only professional card out there with DX10 support.

[NightshadowUK]

Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6800:
http://www.hexus.net/content/item.php?item=8303

Maybe worth waiting til either the Q6700 drops in price or you can go for the kill and get the QX6800?