Yo guys. Need help ASAP. I need to know where I can order a dual-cpu workstation with a good graphics card (Quadro?). Dell can't help because they're out of stock. We ordered it two weeks ago and NOW they say they don't have the parts. Nice, eh? Anyway...Calling all cars! Calling all cars! I need to know which is better for 3D Graphics/Rendering: Dual Xeons or Dual Opterons. Why they're better (even if it's just price) and where I can get my hands on a system FAST. I said I could build my own (with a little helpful suggestions) but my boss wants it all at once with some type of warranty/service plan. Can anyone help? Thanks guys!

Also, if I'm allowed to build a system, which CPU's, mobos, and DDR should I get? I haven't researched dual-cpu/registered DDR too much, so any and all help is appreciated!

Finally, I know this will help: Cost of system - including all the innards, keyboard, mouse, and a 19" LCD monitor - can't be more than $3750 (including shipping and tax). More power/less cost is best, of course.

Thanks guys!

<font color=blue>This guy here is <i><b>dead!</b></i></font color=blue>
<font color=red>Cross him <i><b>off</b></i> then.<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by krazynutz on 09/17/04 02:34 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

........BACON!

_______________________
"In the US and A there are many jobs. For Men: Accountant, Life Guard, and Sportsman. For Women...Prostitute"

mmmm....bacon....(drool).....

I'M SERIOUS!.......Sirius? Hmmm....

<font color=blue>This guy here is <i><b>dead!</b></i></font color=blue>
<font color=red>Cross him <i><b>off</b></i> then.

I'd check with Monarch Computers <A HREF="http://www.monarchcomputer.com" target="_new">http://www.monarchcomputer.com</A>. They *may* be able to do a rush configuration for you, but you'll need to call them on the phone to verify it. The last comparisons I saw done, the Opterons beat the Xeons in a dual configuration prettty much across the board. But that was like 8 months ago and I don't remember where it was. Some German site I think. More recently, Info world did a comparison, where they claimed that heavy multitasking loads were better on the Xeon.

But really, either chip ought to do the job rather well.

<i>Forget AMD and Intel, those are for fanboy lusers. The C3 is where it's at. Via Rulez!</i>

Thanks. I think I'll be able to build my own. I'm having a hell of a time finding a mobo for both xeon and opteron. Any suggestions for either? At least a brand name? I can find ones from Asus, Supermicro, Tyan, and MSI. Any of those better than the others for xeon/opteron boards?

<font color=blue>This guy here is <i><b>dead!</b></i></font color=blue>
<font color=red>Cross him <i><b>off</b></i> then.

When I spec'd my system last year, I was far more up on this stuff. I myself went with the MSI Master2-FAR for my Opterons. The biggest drawback is cpu1 has to go through cpu0's memory controller to access RAM. But this is(or was) the cheapest dual opteron mobo. 9+ months and I've enjoyed a really fast stable system under Linux.

I don't have personal experience with any other motherboard. But here's a link to a comparison of 3(including the master2-far):<A HREF="http://tech-report.com/reviews/2004q2/dually-opterons/index.x?pg=1" target="_new">http://tech-report.com/reviews/2004q2/dually-opterons/index.x?pg=1</A>

This is assuming you go Opteron.

<i>Forget AMD and Intel, those are for fanboy lusers. The C3 is where it's at. Via Rulez!</i>

Definietly Tyan for Opteron...I don't know much about Xeon because it's a new platform that isn't that promising, IMO.

Maxtor disgraces the six letters that make Matrox.

Unless it's the Tyan tiger, do not go with the tiger for Opteron. I haven't read a good review of that board yet. The thunder is respectable, but the tiger is a waste of money.

<i>Forget AMD and Intel, those are for fanboy lusers. The C3 is where it's at. Via Rulez!</i>

Well I can help on the CPU choice. For god sakes, get the dual opteron option. You get a smooth 32bit/64bit process and the performance is much better in gamming than Xeons. Xeons are only good for servers and download beyoutch. The price range would put the opterons higher but they are worth every penny.

Go to www.go-l.com . They have some really interesting machine.

<i><font color=red>Only an overclocker can make a computer into a convectional oven.</i></font color=red>

well actaully you left out a good mobo maker, Iwill. If your buying into an opteron system now, id suggest getting the Iwill DK8N, it uses the nvidia chipset and its a much better solution imo. plus there are places to buy it now. And you wont have to worry about using an ati graphics card like you would have to with the tyan board.

Trooper, I've read up on that board and it sounds damned good, thanks for bringing it up. The problem I'm having is I can't find it compared in any benchmarks against other boards. You wouldn't happen to have a link to a review with such a comparison would you? I'd appreciate it.

<i>Forget AMD and Intel, those are for fanboy lusers. The C3 is where it's at. Via Rulez!</i>

hmm that is a good point, there have not been that many reviews done on the baord, which is strange, its such a nice board and with alot more potential then anyhting else out there. the only review i know of is from here:

<A HREF="http://www.burningissues.net/hard/DK8N_review/index.htm" target="_new">http://www.burningissues.net/hard/DK8N_review/index.htm</A>

it give some good info, it may not be the complete comparison you wanted, but it sure does do a good job.

Thanks for the reply, found that one already. I'm going to keep my eye out for more reviews of this board. It sounds like a winner.

<i>Forget AMD and Intel, those are for fanboy lusers. The C3 is where it's at. Via Rulez!</i>

whoa! Thanks guys. all of you. Trooper, I read the review and I'm totally sold. The question is, how much is that bad mofo mobo? I can't find it anywhere to buy. I AM going to go Opteron and I have everything picked out except the DDR and the mobo. Thanks for the help guys. All I need now is a place to buy it. Also I was actually considering the Tyan Tiger. Thanks for the heads up on that one too guys.

<font color=blue>This guy here is <i><b>dead!</b></i></font color=blue>
<font color=red>Cross him <i><b>off</b></i> then.

You can get 32bit/64bit Xeons too. Probably only from Dell though.

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<font color=red>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to an ego as large as Crashman's!</font color=red>