New Multimedia computer for school

[tb582]

What do you think? It will be used for animaniation, video editing, 3d rendering ect....I will be using swiftech heatsinks along with Arctic Silver 5 thermal coumpound, and i will not be getting the Matrox video card, instead i will be getting a 3d Labs Wildcat VP 880 Pro. Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.


ANTEC Performance Plus Case with 430W Power Supply, Model "PLUS1080AMG" -RETAIL
Specifications:
Case Type: SOHO File Server
Color: Antec Metalic Gray
Material: 1mm SECC Steel
Drive Bays: 5.25" x 4/0, 3.5" x 2/4 (external/internal)
Expansion Slots: 7
Front Ports: 2xUSB & 1xIEEE1394
Power Supply: 430W
Cooling System: 3x80mm installed Fans
Mainboard Compatibility: up to Extended ATX
Dimensions: 20.6"x8.1"x18.6" more info-> N82E16811129115 $113.00 $113.00


CoolerMaster Blue 80mm Neon LED Fan, Model "TLF-R82" -RETAIL
Specifications:
Compatibility: Case
Bearing Type: Rifle bearing
Nominal Speed(RPM): 2500
Max Air FlowCFM): 32.11
Max Pressure: Not Specified
Fan Material: Plastic
Heat Sink Material: N/A
Rated Voltage: 12 VDC
Noise(dBA): 25.0
Special Features: 4 LEDs implemented for bright glowing result more info-> N82E16811999051 $9.15 $36.60


ASUS i875P Chipset Server Motherboard for Dual Intel Xeon CPU, Model "PC-DL Deluxe" -RETAIL
Specifications:
Supported CPU: Dual Intel Xeon Processors
Chipset: Intel 875P MCH + ICH5R
FSB: 533MHz
RAM: 4x DIMM for Un-buffered ECC DDR333 Max 4GB
IDE: 2x ATA 100 by ICH5R, 1x ATA 133 by PDC20378, up to 6 Devices
Slots: 1x AGP Pro/8X, 5x PCI
Ports: 2xPS/2,2xCOM,1xLPT,1xLAN,2x1394(rear 1),8xUSB2.0(Rear 4),Audio Ports
Onboard Audio: AD1985 6-CH CODEC
Onboard LAN: Intel 82547EI GbE
Onboard SATA/RAID: 2x SATA RAID 0/1 by ICH5R, 2x SATA RAID 0/1/0+1 by Promise PDC20378
Onboard 1394: 2 Ports by TI TSB43AB22A
Form Factor: ATX more info-> N82E16813131055 $204.99 $204.99


ENERMAX Aluminum (SILVER + an additional Black Aluminum front face plate) Multifunction Panel, Model "UC-A8FATR4" -RETAIL
Specifications:
4 Fan RPM & Temp. display
Adjustable Fan speed knobs
Overheat & Low RPM fan alarm
3 levels of overheat temperature setting
Fits In Standard 5.25 Drive Bay
Dual color monitor display with shift button
2 stylish aluminum panel included: Black / Silver more info-> N82E16813999216 $35.99 $35.99


MATROX Parhelia Video Card, 256MB DDR, 256-bit, Dual DVI, 4X AGP, Model "PH-A-256" -RETAIL
Specifications:
Chipset/Core Speed: Matrox Parhelia(PH-A128R)/220MHz
Memory/Effective Speed: 256MB DDR/550MHz
BUS: AGP 1X/2X/4X
Ports: DUAL DVI connector
Support 3D API: DirectX®8.1, OpenGL®1.3
Cable/Accessories: DVI to Dual VGA Cable, VGA to RCA&S-Video Cable, VGA via DVI Adapter, Driver CD, Manual
Max Resolution@32bit Color: 1600X1200 dual digital&1920X1440 dual analog
Retail Box (See pics for details) more info-> N82E16814106149 $555.00 $555.00


Antec 550W Power Supply, 24-Pin, Model "TRUE550 EPS12V" -RETAIL
Specifications:
Type: EPS12V
Maximum Power: 550W
PFC: No
Power Good Signal: 100-500ms
Hold-up Time: 17ms min.
Efficiency: 68% min.
Over Voltage Protection: +5V trip point<+6.5V;+3.3V trip point<+4.1V;+12V trip point<+14.4V
Overload Protection: Latching Protection+5V @<47A;+3.3V @ <48A;+12V @ <18A
Input Voltage: 115 VAC / 230VAC
Input Frequency Range: 47Hz-63Hz
Input Current: 10A/6A
Output:+3.3V@32A;+5V@40A;-5V@0.5A;+12V@36A;-12V@1A;+5VSB@2A
MTBF: 80,000 hrs. @ 25ºC
Approvals: UL, TUV, CB, VDE, FCC CLASS B, DEMKO, NEMKO, SEMKO, FIMCO more info-> N82E16817103918 $103.00 $103.00


Intel Xeon 2.4 GHz 533MHz FSB, 512K Cache, Hyper Threading Technology - Retail
Specification
Model: Intel Xeon 2.4 w/ Hyper Threading
Core: Prestonia
Operating Frequency: 2.4GHz
FSB: 533MHz
Cache: L1/12K+8K; L2/512K
Voltage: 1.475V
Process: 0.13Micron
Socket: Socket 604
Multimedia Instruction: MMX, SSE, SSE2
Warranty: 3-year MFG
Packaging: Retail box (with Heatsink and Fan) more info-> N82E16819117015 $235.00 $470.00


Corsair XMS Extreme Memory Speed Series, 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-2700 with Platinum Silver Heat Spreader- OEM
Specification
Manufacturer: Corsair
Speed: DDR333(PC2700)
Type: 184 Pin DDR SDRAM
Error Checking: Non-ECC
Registered/Unbuffered: Unbuffered
Cas Latency: 2-3-3-6
Support Voltage: 2.5V
Bandwidth: 2.7GB/s
Organization: 64M x 64 -Bit
Special Features: with Platinum Silver Heat Spreader
Warranty: Lifetime more info-> N82E16820145412 $104.00 $208.00


Western Digital Raptor 74GB 10,000RPM SATA Hard Drive, Model WD740GD, OEM Drive Only
Specifications:
Capacity: 74GB
Average Seek Time: 4.5 ms
Buffer: 8MB
Rotational Speed: 10000 RPM
Interface: Serial ATA
Features: High Performance SATA Interface
Manufacturer Warranty: 5 years
Remark: OEM Drive Only
1 Piece Mail in Rebate $20 (single order qualify - limit one per household)
2 Pieces Mail in Rebate $50 (minimum order 2 piece to qualify - limit one per household) more info-> N82E16822144160 $215.00 $430.00


Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS Platinum PCI Sound Card, Model "SB0350" -RETAIL
Specifications:
Channels: 7.1
Max Sampling Rate: 192kHz
Signal-Noise Ratio: 108dB
Hardware Decode: Dolby Digital EX
Digital Audio: 24-bit
Hardware Polyphony: 64 Voices
PC Interface: PCI
Connectors: Digital Out for 5.1(6-channel SPDIF Output), Line-Out, Line-In, SB1394/Firewire, Mic-In, Analog/Digital CD Audio In(See Details)
External Box: Yes
Remote Control: Yes
Package included: See pics
Special Features: DVD-Audio, THX Certified, DTS-Extended Surround, EAX 4.0 Advanced HD, DirectSound 3D more info-> N82E16829102163

 

[thraxes]

I would add another HDD, especially because of Video editing. Do the editing on the raptor and have OS, Proggies and support files like Music and graphics on a regular large 160+GB drive.

EDIT: You have 512MB RAM listed, I assume you are getting two of them to feed the dual channel memory system. It depends on what you will be doing with the machine but 1GB could also become too tight with large video projects.

 

[InlineFive]

Cliff Notes:

What do you think? It will be used for animaniation, video editing, 3d rendering ect....I will be using swiftech heatsinks along with Arctic Silver 5 thermal coumpound, and i will not be getting the Matrox video card, instead i will be getting a 3d Labs Wildcat VP 880 Pro. Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Antec Performance Plus Case 1080 with 430W Power Supply
CoolerMaster Blue 80mm Neon LED Fan
Enermax Aluminum Multifunction Panel, Model UC-A8FATR4
Matrox Parhelia Video Card, 256MB DDR, 256-bit, Dual DVI, 4X AGP, Model PH-A-256
Antec 550W Power Supply, 24-Pin, Model True550 EPS12V
Asus i875P Chipset Server Motherboard for Dual Intel Xeon CPU, Model PC-DL Deluxe

 

[gsellis]

Second on another HD. A 200 or 250 would do. I use Liquid Edition, so I would set my Render to C: and my media to E: (the big one).

Also, why not a DVD such as the Pioneer 107/A07. That would allow project export to DVD.

No Analog? Maybe a Canopus AVDV-100 for the lab as needed? Since it's output to the capturing computer is IEEE 1394, it could be portable. The DVD could do same in an IEEE 1394 enclosure.

Just noticed... your case will not work with the PC-DL. The power supply does not seem to have EPS 12V, which is required for Xeons. Myself, I like the Chieftec Dragon series case with a PSU yet to be named (Fortron, Vantec, Antec, etc.)

Edit for spelling

 

[tb582]

Yes I also think that would be a good idea to have another HDD, as far as the case and the power supply I am ordering a Antec 550W Power Supply, 24-Pin, Model "TRUE550 EPS12V" EPS12V, which will fit in the case, also i have another question, I am going to be setting up the raptors in a RAID 0, which is built into the board, I was thinking about using my regular ATA 160GB drive with an ATA interface. What do you think?

 

[tb582]

Originally posted by: tb582
Yes I also think that would be a good idea to have another HDD, as far as the case and the power supply I am ordering a Antec 550W Power Supply, 24-Pin, Model "TRUE550 EPS12V" EPS12V, which will fit in the case, also i have another question, I am going to be setting up the raptors in a RAID 0, which is built into the board, I was thinking about using my regular ATA 160GB drive with an ATA interface. What do you think?

 

[gsellis]

Sounds good. A 160 will yield a workspace of about 7 hours of video in different projects. 13GB/hr*7 + 15GB render to DVD = 110GB rougly, plus all the junk that will collect. Have not done a Hash Animation: Master project, but I suspect that it will use some space. 10GB as a guess for small Maya or A:M projects.

 

[sharq]

Why are you getting 2 power supplies? I know that case only fits one, incase you were trying to get a redundant setup going.
I'm going here based on the specs you posted, your case has a power supply and then you're buying one. Why not get a case that doesn't have the PS?

 

[Duvie]

Have you looked at AMD and an Opteron setup? They tend to be slightly cheaper for comparable speed chips plus that format should stay more stable in terms of upgradeabilty....I use Intel for myself but I think one needs to look at the other to get the best comparison....


What CAD and animation programs are you using???

I know much of the AutoCad line now is hyperthreading enabled so 2 xeons could be sen as 4 virtual cpus and thus give quite a performance boost....

In my single processor setup redering times are 19-22% faster with HT (mlt-processor support) enabled.... I am using Architectural esktop 2004 which is an offshoot of the Viz Studio/ Max line so I can do quite a bit of animation, walk thrus, and flybys.

 

[tb582]

Wow, I am really getting great feedback here, from my understanding the case comes with a power supply, but it is not an EPS supply. Therefore, I am getting another power supply. Additionally if antic sells that exact same case, or something similar, I do not want anything less in quality or the number of fans. With out a power supply or with a 550W EPS power supply, someone please point me to it, preferably on newegg. Also, I will be using primarily Maya Complete 5, as well as Adobe's line of products. Any other comments would be great.

 

[tb582]

hmmm.... I hope some more people reply

 

[thraxes]

Could you please update the specs on what you are wanting to get? Then I could look over it and give better advice.

 

[ScrapSilicon]

^

 

[tb582]

Theres nothing to update all the specs are in the first post, the only thing added will be one 160GB ATA HDD