Hell Has Frozen Over! Yay! Help Me find a system now!

[phaxmohdem]

So today when I was working my student job at the university as a webmaster for one of our departments, my boss came to me and told me to put together a "nice" computer system so that I can do more to make the website cooler. (i.e. Video Editing)

I am currently on an old Dell Optiplex PIII 733/8GB/256MB machine with a crappy fuzzy 17" CRT monitor. (at work).

So, Basically I have free reign over the system.
The rules:
- Have to purchase from a reputed company, (no building a box myself unfortunately).
- He said no price limit (but that means probably $3000 is the upper limit for the system + monitor + everything else.... not sure about software costs though) Lower $ obviously makes people happier

------------------------------------------------------------------
What I want in my new work toy:
- AMD X2 Processor
- 1GB Min. RAM
- 1600x1200 or better LCD Monitor. (Thinking Dell 2001fp or something like that)
- Weaker 3D Video Card with DVI (No 3D gaming at all. MAYBE 3d modeling software)
- At least 250GB of HDD Space
- Firewire & USB 2.0
------------------------------------------------------------------

So far the only company I have found that cam make a box similar to my desires is Boxx. I have configured the following systems:

Sys #1
----------
- AMD Athlon64 X2 4800+
- 2GB DDR400
- 250 + 250GB HDD's
- 16X Dual Layer DVD-R
- ATI FireGL V3100 128MB
- Win XP SP2
-------Final Cost $3,129.00------- (Awesome System)

Sys #2
----------
- AMD Athlon64 X2 4400+
- 1GB DDR400
- 250GB HDD
- 16X Dual Layer DVD-R
- ATI FireGL V3100 128MB
- Win XP SP2
-------Final Cost $2,362.00------- (Ideal System)

Sys #3
----------
- AMD Athlon64 3500+
- 1GB DDR400
- 120GB HDD
- 16X Dual Layer DVD-R
- nVidia Quadro NVS 285 64MB
- Win XP SP2
-------Final Cost $1,816.00------- (Minimal System)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Finally... The Question:
What other companies sell X2/A64/Opteron based "professional" workstation systems that meet my needs? (Meaning I don't want some crap home user HP pavilion PC to work on if I don't have to). Also I'm open to any Intel Workstations that don't suck as well. For my purposes though (heavy Multitasking, Photoshop, Premiere & Acrobat use) It looks like the X2 wipes the floor for the time being.

Also I'm not a fan of the Dells computers much any more Sorry.

Please Post suggestions to help me out. Also I'm looking for recommendations on LCD monitors. (Note I still like Dell monitors ), but anything else relatively inexpensive yet good quality would be appreciated.

 

[2Xtreme21]

I just have an overall suggestion... I wouldn't take complete advantage of this "blank check" that you received. I highly doubt he's going to want to pay $3000 for your computer...

 

[phaxmohdem]

Originally posted by: 2Xtreme21
I just have an overall suggestion... I wouldn't take complete advantage of this "blank check" that you received. I highly doubt he's going to want to pay $3000 for your computer...

I've considered this, He actually threw out the $3000 figure when he was discussing it with me and was shocked when I told him I'd be able to find a killer rig for under that sum. Its not like it will be ONLY my computer either, though I will be the only one using its full potential. They are looking for a rig that will last for some time as eventually I will graduate and be replaced by someother student web designer.

Besides if I cuold have any rig I wanted where price was REALLY not an issue, you can bet the farm I'd be specing Dual Socket Dual Core Oteron 280's + Dual 20" LCD's right about now

 

[kleinwl]

ibuypower is good for gaming like machines. The question I have is do you really need a workstation video card like you spec? Those cards are used for CAD, for website development they seem like they would be the wrong application.

Instead, I would spec a 7800GT, or something like that.

If you want a real workstation, IBM is good.
However, for an economy Itellistation A Pro you are looking at over $4500.

HP is much more cost effective for workstations.
For $2400
Optron 2.2 (single core)
1GB memory (ECC)
etc. etc.

The basic item you are getting for a true workstation price is the overwelming stability. ECC and Optron cores are going to be superior to the X2 and regular DIMMs for stability under demanding applications.

 

[phaxmohdem]

Originally posted by: kleinwl
ibuypower is good for gaming like machines. The question I have is do you really need a workstation video card like you spec? Those cards are used for CAD, for website development they seem like they would be the wrong application.

Instead, I would spec a 7800GT, or something like that.

If you want a real workstation, IBM is good.
However, for an economy Itellistation A Pro you are looking at over $4500.

HP is much more cost effective for workstations.
For $2400
Optron 2.2 (single core)
1GB memory (ECC)
etc. etc.

The basic item you are getting for a true workstation price is the overwelming stability. ECC and Optron cores are going to be superior to the X2 and regular DIMMs for stability under demanding applications.

The video card from the Boxx systems is there because they only offer workstation graphics cards, and those are the two cheapest ones they offer. If I could have my way, I'd just assume slap a 9600/9200 Pro in this machine, as there will be NO gaming at all on it. Strictly graphics/web/video work.

As for the stability you give a good point. I will look into more opteron rigs. I speced out a reasonable Dual Xeon HP rig (Dual 3.2 2M/1GB/250GB) for just under $2400, though I'd much prefer to go Opteron/Athlon if possible. HP just rapes you once you go past their base config specs. on any system.

 

[ribbon13]

compromise with 4400+ and 2GB ram

 

[wkinney]

definitely go with the 2001fp with 16x12, when rotated vertically it really helps me when codeing (100+ lines at once).

 

[hurtstotalktoyou]

HP/Compaq is usually great for this sort of thing.

HP Pavilion d4100e (customized)
Athlon 64 X2 4200+
2GB DDR400 SDRAM
320 GB RAID 0 (160GBx2)
DVD burner
3.5" floppy
56K modem
256MB nVidia GeForce 6600 w/TV-out & DVI
Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS
front firewire/USB/audio ports
Windows XP Pro
wireless keyboard & mouse
2.1 speakers
19" LCD display
$2,334.00 initial price - $200 mail-in rebate = $2,134.00 (after shipping; no tax in most states)

Compaq Presario SR1030Z (customized)
Athlon 64 3500+
1GB DDR400 SDRAM
250GB SATA
DVD burner
3.5" floppy
56K modem
nVidia GeForce 6200SE (64MB dedicated + 196MB shared VRAM)
Audigy 2 ZS
front USB/firewire/audio ports
Windows XP Pro
keyboard & optical mouse
2.1 speakers
19" LCD display
$1,334.99 initial price - $100.00 mail-in rebate = $1,234.99 (after shipping; no tax in most states)

 

[justly]

Polywell Computers has systems that can be configured like the ones you listed. Their system that looks closest to your specs is the Poly 939N4-4400FX and as far as I can tell (you didn't make it clear if your configurations included additional options like speakers, or other optical drives ect.) their prices are better.
You may still find a better deal somewhere else, but I hope this at least gives you another vendor to compare prices to.

EDIT: The system above is listed as a workstation, but it looks like their desktop systems might have even better prices for a nearly identical system, so also look at the Poly 939N4X2.

 

[eXx08]

Ask one of the people here to build it and send it to you. Or just go to like a Computer place and hae them build you one

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Monarch computers, you pick the parts and they assemble and test it for $49

 

[phaxmohdem]

Thanks for the suggestions, I'd forgetten all about polywell.

I don't want to go too obscure with my recommendations as this purchase order will likely have to go through all the various levels of the university financial maze (AKA people who know absolutely nothing about this computer to be ordered and only see $$$). Hell, our campus TV station put in a P.O. for a 500GB Lacie Hard Drive nearly 3 months ago, and the order just got placed this week