• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

$2K - Speed System, Video Question

T

Twinpeaksr

Senior member
After almost 6 moths of thinking, research and input from quite a few other people, I am closing in on the replacement for my Old dual MP system I just sold off. Any input would be great. I am not doing a lot of games, but have been known to at times. I do work with CAD a good amount, and do Electronic Simulation and Development. Other than that, general use, stable, with lots of apps open at once. No overclocking (would rather have stability).

I decieded that I am spliting the system into 2 systems, Workstation and Server. Workstation will be on XP Pro, Servier will be on Fedora 4 (though I need to learn how that works). Server is just a file server, and maybe later I will create a web server on it, not sure.

The Big questions is the Workstation Video, Should I use the 7600GS or an FX560? I will be doing CAD, but I still want to be able to do games if i feel like it. Everything else should not have much effect with either card. I just don't want to blow and extra $150 on a Card that does not improve the CAD work I do.

Let me know input, thoughts and ideas, I know you guys have a wealth of knowledge, I am still coming back up to speed on this (Last system I built was 2001)! Thanks!

Workstation:
-MSI 975X Platinum Socket T (LGA 775) Intel 975X ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
-Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6400 - Retail
-mushkin 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model 996527 - Retail
-MSI NX7600GS-T2D256E Geforce 7600GS 256MB GDDR2 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail
-LG 16X DVD±R Super-Multi DVD Burner With 12X DVD-RAM Write Black E-IDE/ATAPI Model GSA-H10N - OEM
-Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
-FSP Group (Fortron Source) AX450-PN, 12cm FAN, version 2.0, 2 SATA, PCI Express, 450W Power Supply - Retail
-AMS CF-2229BK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - OEM
2 - ViewSonic VG2021m Black 20" 8ms LCD Monitor - Retail
-TRIPP LITE OMNI900LCD 900 VA 475 Watts OmniSmart Digital UPS - Retail
$1700

Server:
-Intel SE7230NH1 Socket T (LGA 775) Intel E7230 ATX Server Motherboard - Retail
-Intel Celeron D 326 Prescott 2.53GHz LGA 775 EM64T Processor w/ Execute Disable Bit Model BX80547RE2533CN - Retail
2 - CORSAIR ValueSelect 512MB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Desktop Memory Model VS512MB667D2 - Retail
-Areca ARC-1220 PCI-Express x8 SATA II Controller Card - Retail
-LG 16X DVD±R Super-Multi DVD Burner With 12X DVD-RAM Write Black E-IDE/ATAPI Model GSA-H10N - OEM
-Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 ST380811AS 80GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
6 - Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM (RAID 5 or 6)
-FSP Group (Fortron Source) AX450-PN, 12cm FAN, version 2.0, 2 SATA, PCI Express, 450W Power Supply - Retail
-AMS CF-2229BK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - OEM
-Microsoft K48-00019 Black PS/2 RF Wireless Optical Desktop Pro - Retail
-TRIPP LITE OMNI900LCD 900 VA 475 Watts OmniSmart Digital UPS - Retail
$1800
 
Even Nvidia would recommend a Quadro card instead of the 7600GS card that you listed. If you are a professional, you already know the differences between a gaming card and a workstation card. Quadro is a workstation card for CAM and CAD.
Other than that, it seems you're building a well researched workstation rig. The server is a little out of my league, so what I see, looks awesome. By the way, what your video card for your server?
 
Thanks for the input. I do play with a lot of CAD, but this is not my profession, more a hobby. I want the good graphics performance, but since I am not modeling with this system, nor doing much complex geometry (Architectural Drafting), I did not see the need for a CAD card. Also I am trying to keep the cost reasonable, and would like to be able to do just about anything with this system, not just CAD. It is a delema, and a I have concidered CAD Video cards, but went with this as a good balance between cost and performance. right now I am working on a laptop, so anything would be a great improvement!

As for the server, the video in onboard, wanted to keep it simple.

Thanks again for the input, more to concider! (is the design really ever done)

~R~
 
I would still upgrade to a X850XT or a 7600GT because of the GDDR3 ram they have over the GDDR2 in the 7600GS. They will probably be a little faster in CAD programs. They will definetly be faster in games though. They aren't much more expensive either.

I don't know how good the FX560 is but any Quadro cards are going to be good in CAD.

It all comes down to priorities, do you want your CAD experience to be uber good? Do you want your games to run faster? Do you want to save some money? Things like that...
 
Thanks for the info, ah yes the balance, performance vs cost, where do you draw the line? I found a Foxconn 7600GT for about $20 more,

Foxconn FV-N76TM2D2 GeForce 7600GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail

Seems like a good upgrade. I want good CAD performance, but being that this is a hobby, I am thinking the 7600GT is probably a good cost/performance balance.

I am also looking at other MB options. I like the MSI as it has 1394 and coax Digital Audio, but I am contemplating a more basic MB, and a sound card to achieve the same thing. Any one have any thoughts on that?

Thanks for the info on the PS too, last time I built a system, you got a PS with the computer, never changed it. Hard to pick one now.

~R~
 
The Enermax and Enhance PS are nice, but you pay for it. Anyone have any thoughts on the XClio 450BL? Seems to be a good PS at a great price.
 
Lets say I would rather put the $40 towards better Video than the PS. I am not sure what I will gain with the Enermax over the XClio for the price difference.

Any Thoughts from anyone on 975 vs 965 chipset?
 
I have had cheap PS die and expensive PS die. I want something that is solid and reliable. Based on what I have seen, both Fit that thought process. I will review the specs more in detail, but I am not sure right now (there are a lot of parts of this I am still trying to figure out). Many of the pieces are meant to be OC, but I will not OC because I want stability first.

Last thing I want is a blazing fast system that is unstable. Been there, done that, had to replace the whole system after 6 months. I am now much more cautious.
 
So you had a couple bad experiences... a Enermax PSU has much better quality then anything made by FSP, let alone one of their AX models.
 
That may be, but I have seen nothing that gives me that indication. I am not sold on FSP, I am not against Enermax, though I have not had good experience with them in the past. Apparently you have had the opposite experience. All I want is a Reliable, Stable PS that will be worry free. The only company that has done that so far has been Sparkle, 5 or 5 PS were running until I sold them. I just want to know what else is out that that I can depend on.

Maybe I should take a vote, I have a feeling that there will be no agreement on this subject...

And I thought the battle on Video cards was bad...

Have you had any good experience with any other PS beside Enermax and Enhance (BTW I have never heard of Enhance before, plan to look at that closer tomorrow)?
 
On a separate topic...

ASUS P5B-E Socket T

or

MSI 975X Platinum Socket T


Reasons behind the selection would be good too. I am leaning to the ASUS based on the Optical Audio port I can use, but either would really work (I don't have to have the port).

Thanks!
 
You don't have to take a Enermax is you're that paranoid. How about a Seasonic, Silverstone, or Masscool (Seventeam)?
 
400W?

I found SILVERSTONE SST-ST405 ATX12V 400W PS that may work. I believe that is enough power for the Workstation.

Do you have any knowledge of how much power SATA drives use? I need to size a PS for the Server (7 HD).
 
Actually, the 400W Strider has very small 12V rails. It's one of the few good 400W supplies that has that small 12V rails. The Enhance ENP 400W 80+ is a really good PSU, it maintains 80% efficiency or more at all times. For the server, just get 2x of whatever you get for the workstation.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top