Help on new rigs

[epauls]

Leasing some new rigs. Need to place order next week.
I'm having a tough time making a few decisions on them.
These computers will be business workstations. Nothing extremely intense, and of course will be folding;) There will be no overclocking on these.

Here are my questions:
1). Intel or AMD? The P4 2.8 800 HT rig runs basically the same price as a AMD XP 3000 barton rig all else being similar.

2). I do not have the time to build this many systems so do you have any suggestions on where to buy?

PS. Software like Office etc.. is not needed. Just OS(Win 2k not XP), drivers and component related software.

[flixotide]

I like the new HP/Compaqs along with the simpler IBM M42's..

90% of our rigs are IBM M41's (older modell) after a rigorous array of testing between IBM, DELL, Compaq (before the merger) and Siemens.

IBM won on a margin over Dell, and still keep the old-fashion (i wanna mess with inards) style, where both DELL and Compaq small-factors are pretty muggy.

Cheers, Flix

P.S. Intel!

[epauls]

Ya I was leaning towards the intel do to the higher actual clock speeds. I hear in certain applications that is better;) :D

I have to be honest with you, do to my own knowledge(support), price, component choices and past experiences I tend to not go with the big companies like Dell, IBM or Compaq anymore.

Places like ABS, AM_comps etc.. are where I prefer to shop. You save money(example: $200 and free shipping on each computer) over them. Plus they allow more freedom in hardware choices.

So as long as they are a company that isn't fly by night they could be a possibility.

[nikhsub1]

I would get the 2.8 HT machines, will outfold the Bartons any day of the week! You will gain about 20% per box running 2 instances too. If you need help setting up the service install twice, let me know, it can be tricky.

[Planus]

I personally would go with AMD based systems. Higher actual clock speeds really dont help if they dont end up doing much work in the cycle. AMD also now (surprisingly) offers low heat dissipation which also helps towards reliability.
I mean, im running my overclocked 2200+ on the zalman heatsink with minimum fan settings which isnt designed for 2200+ core speeds, let alone overclocked speeds. (my temps are about 50 degrees)
Plus, if there for business use, surely folding speed is a secondary priority. Get a AMD based system and save some money.
Plus, I also believe in supporting the company which deserves to do well, (in this case AMD) as soon as there is a 50% market share between the two ill consider buying intel but for the moment, to help keep competition going, support AMD. If there was no competition, I believe we would still be blabbering on about: WOW, LOOK, 800 mhz CPU! thats AMAZINGLY fast!
Okay, so you may think, why bother, its not gonna make any difference to a companies fortunes, but then why do you vote? one vote wont make a difference to the way things are done surely...

[hkgonra]

I like to support the little guy , I mean that for AMD and smaller computer makers. That being said the last few computer purchases I have made for work have been Dell. They are SO cheap. If you are willing to wait a few eeks on a good Dell deal to come around you should be able to pick up Dell 2.8HT systems for right around $500 each. That is tough to beat.

I just did a little tinkering on the site and found you could get a 2.8ht system with 256mb of ram and a 40gb HD for $573 AR . That is not the best I have seen in the past few weeks either.

[Fast420A]

When I buy a Pentium system, I'm going for a Dell with HT and then just buying a real Mobo and PSU and then use the DVD drive and CD Burner they have with the Dell systems. Seems like I remember a lot of people getting some good steppings when pulling the chips out of a Dell. The last time I owned a Pentium was in 1996. I still have that Gateway P120 with 48MB of ram. :clap:

[Audioaficionado]

I'd go with the P4s too as that AMD SSE Gromacs bug was never solved. It just went away and could come back to bite you. SSE is the key to getting useful production and so far Intel hasn't had many issues with it. You don't need any hard lockups on you business machines ;)

[epauls]

I was also concerned about the SSE bug.
BTW The systems will be basically this:
P4 2.8 or AMD 3000+
512mb pc3200
40gig 7200rpm HD
DVD Rom
3.5"
Basic 64mb Graphics
Standard sound(usualy what is on MB)
10/100 NICs
17" Monitors
Basic 2 piece speakers
Optical mouse and keyboards

And they will most likely be all black.

There will probably be *cough* 2 *cough* rigs that are slightly higher end in the bunch:rolleyes: A little faster, better video, burners, larger drives, 19" monitors etc..

[Chris]

There going to be nice rigs either way, but personally I think I would go with the PIV machines as you can use SSE without the thought of lockups on your mind. How many machines are we talking here anyway? :)

[Arkaine23]

I would not make folding a factor in deciding at all. Price and performance requirements would be my main concern. And as far as that goes, I would look for Athlon XP systems, palominos or tbreds if I could find them. That should be plenty for any typical application (1.73 or 2.0 Ghz). Maybe I'd buy a halfway decent copper cpu cooler for each and at least replace that to ensure decent cooling (galaxy gc88 or sk7). I'd also do a little checking to find an OEM product that had at least 2 case fans. CD-rom instead of DVD drive. Splurge on the 2 higher-end systems and get P4's. there's never any reason to get the latest and greatest for regular workstations, (only for yourself and your bosses).

Then I'd present the amount saved vs the cost of your original plan and ask if part of the funds can go to real upgrades for the network- faster switches/NICs, new server, more hdd's/raid setups, CPU uprades, extra ram, , cluster-style yatta monster (if you can find real work for it do besides just folding), etc.

As for SSE on AMD, if .13 micron CPU's just I'd run 3dnow!. If .18 micron then I'd run SSE. Again, folding should not be the main concern at all for any admin, just your highest priority of stuff in the background of your work.

[Audioaficionado]

If the prices are the same and the performance is close, I'd still go with the P4s. I believe epauls is the business owner and can have his cake and eat it too :p

[sautegod]

I'd agree with Arkaine, folding shouldn't be your main concern just an added bonus.

Get the set up that best suits your needs and then install folding as a bonus.

Installing f@h on anything helps

[epauls]

Originally posted by Audioaficionado
If the prices are the same and the performance is close, I'd still go with the P4s. I believe epauls is the business owner and can have his cake and eat it too :p

You hit it on the head there:D