Critique Zdnet's $2K MacPro QuadCore Killer

George Ou at zdnet configured these MacPro killers. And note its a Dual Quad Core! Comments or critiques? Is there an even beter way of doing this?

http://blogs.zdnet.com/Ou/?m=200801

High-end 8-core 2P Workstation (5400 series “Seaburg” version):

Part Price
Tyan TEMPEST I5400XL (S5392ANR) Intel 5400 series “Seaburg” 408
8 GB fully buffered DDR2-667 ECC memory (2GB x 4) 340
Two Intel E5410 quad-core “Harpertown” 45nm 2.33 GHz CPUs 616
Seasonic 650W 88% efficiency “80 Plus” power supply 160
Cooler Master Stacker ATX chassis (additional $60 rebate) 170
NVIDIA Quadro NVS290 PCI-Express 256MB 120
Sound Blaster Audigy 7.1 36
AMS 5-drive SATA hot-swap backplane (model DS-3151SSBK) 102
Two 500GB 7200RPM SATA hard drives 200
18x DVD burner with SATA interface 36
Logitech EX110 wireless optical mouse and keyboard 35
Vista Business x64 edition OEM (dual-processor support) 145

Total (including shipping but not tax) $2368

High-end 8-core 2P workstation (5100 series “San Clemente” version):

Part Price
5100 series “San Clemente” dual-processor motherboard 381
8 GB Registered DDR2-667 ECC memory (4 x 2GB) (4 slots open) 310
Two Intel E5410 quad-core “Harpertown” 45nm 2.33 GHz CPUs 616
Seasonic 650W 88% efficiency “80 Plus” power supply 160
Cooler Master Stacker ATX chassis (additional $60 rebate) 170
NVIDIA Quadro NVS290 PCI-Express 256MB 120
Sound Blaster Audigy 7.1 36
AMS 5-drive SATA hot-swap backplane (model DS-3151SSBK) 102
Two 500GB 7200RPM SATA hard drives 200
18x DVD burner with SATA interface 36
Logitech EX110 wireless optical mouse and keyboard 35
Vista Business x64 edition OEM (dual-processor support) ??? 145

Total (including shipping but not tax) $2311

This isn't for games. In fact my 8800GTS and Q6600 can beat this in any game I think.

I wish my company would get workstation like that, instead I got this POS from grandma's down the street with a P4 - 1GB DDR Ram - FX5200, i'd be so more productive! (maybe).

I was talking about the pc as a whole

It's gfx isn't suitable for games, and I don't think any games support 8-cores. That's why this system is too expensive for just games. Well, unless you're gonna run multiple games at once.

That amount of power is not really intended for the average home user.

I just pooped my pants !

Here, cah027, here's some spare Depends.

OK, the question is:

Is this build a legitimite basis to consider for a poweruser system? I need FerrariFast Fotoshop and 3D rendering to design bikes for my cleints.

I once tried to install oblivion and play splinter cell double agent at the same time.... (splinter cell didn't want to load...... )

WTF???? Why the hell would you put a cr@ppy PSU with a build this great??? I will never understand ppl. who get really high end parts and then just get a cheap PSU. . The graphics card will not run most new games at high res. Its intended as a workstation card. Imo, these workstation cards are just useless, most CAD software benefit from a good CPU not a GPU.

I don't know about that specific model of Seasonic's...but I'm almost certain they're the supplier for PCP&C's 750 Silencer.

Seasonic also makes Antec PSU's too. They're actually not bad. But I can't say how well they would perform considering your setup.

Yeah, I'm sure that Seasonic makes the PCP&C but I figure that the 750 Quad has such great revus that it would be a good idea to go for the full 3/4 kilowatts given the dual CPUs. I'd feel more comfrtable having a 8800 GT since I know that it will do everything I want it to in DX10 rather than going witha Quadro but I apreciate your offer. The GIGABYTE GA-7VCSV Dual 771 Intel 5000V CEB 1.01 Server Motherboard is only $179. Any reason why it can't host the Harpys? Also 7200.11 500GBs are $230 a pair and the Creative Sound Blaster Audigy SE PCI 7.1 Surround Sound Card is $29 so:

Mobo $179
RAM $280
2xE5420 $720
PSU $160
8800GT $229
Soundcard $29
2x7200.11 $230
Vista 64 $115

$1942. This is geting better and beter! Yum! Slurp!

Here's a forum member I found who tested vs. an 8800GTX.

You said earlier that you were into 3DS Max...correct?

http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=84175

Well as it stands, it seems that the caveat of consumer market cards is their inability to produce large amounts of polygons and their lack of hardware AA...not to be confused with FSAA.

First, the reason for the Seasonic is as follows:

The normal price is $90 cheaper than the PCP&C' 750
It's 88% efficient versus only 83%
It's a Tier 2 PSU. I didn't know Tier 2 PSU's are now considered crappy.

Also, you don't build a dual Xeon system for gaming. You build a machine like this to create games, not run them. Plus, the workstation cards are way more flexible software wise than the GeForce cards:

http://www.nvidia.com/page/pg_20020215232762.html

Third, yes, Photoshop CS 2 and 3 take advantage of multi-core CPU's

Also, for $2,500, it's comes with 8 times more RAM, comes with a way better GPU (The MacPro comes with a 7300GT!), and you can always upgrade it later on. A Mac with the same performance costs three times as much!

Overall, great article.

Btw. I have to agree with 'runswindows'...that's a hell of a Power Supply.

If you're penny pinching, skip the middle man...go to the source; Seasonic.

You may be able to get a board with on SAS hardware raid and go for xfi card but not the low end one that is the same thing as the Sound Blaster Audigy SE.

Also the new mac pros are due soon

My requirements are for 3d rendering and Photoshop primaraly so something like this is gonna haul some serious a$$. I stand corected on the PSU. Ok, in consumer mobos you know that the P35 and X38s are generaly going to be ok for running 45nms, but how do you tell in a dual socket server board which does which? Any particular chipset, etc? As for new MacPros coming out, the point of the orignal article is corect. Why pay 2x or 3x the price when you can duplicete it for less. So you cant run Loepard. No big loss for me. I'm looking at droping $2K on a Q9550 system and if I can get an octopussycore for the same bucks then thats much sexier!

Most of what I do in Photoshop is make chick's boobies bigger from pr0n sites. No, I'm JK. I mostly come up with diferent paint designs for tanks, fenders, etc. I'll also do quicky mockups to show a client what a certain engine would look like in a partecular frame, etc. I do no gaming whatsoevr so all the things that are importnt to gamers mean squat to me. I think a 8800GT is more than enough card to keep me hapy for a long time!

our firm considering to buy one of those workstation. (not a mac tho). it is dual quad cores from intel. anywho. if they get it. ill go put some games. n report back.

I've read through this thread, and it seems that you may be on the right track to build a very inexpensive but quite powerful octocore system. I don't know if it is wise to scrimp on the motherboard, however, and I would profoundly appreciate learning of any models which are already certified for Harpertowns. Can anyone assist? NightWolfin, are you aware of what motherboard your company was considering, given that they likely have the benefit of the knowledge of an IT consultant or manager?

Well yah... that’s how business make money, buy low sell high.

When I built my machine it was 3500 in parts, at Dell it cost 6000 and mine had/has better components.

Even the corner 7/11 make there money by over pricing...they buy for 50cents, sell for 80...

Wish I could help ya. Ive looked at so many mobos that my head is spining. Its realy hard to find info as to which ones of the twin socket mobos that are sure to work with the Penryns.