Computer or server?

[Bobo]

My dad needs a new high end computer that can run processor and RAM intensive stuff, and he needs to have about a TB of HDD space and at least 2GB of RAM, so I have some questions:

Will I be better off getting a high end computer or a server?
What is the difference in terms of software runnability?
How much RAM does XP32 support? XP64? Longhorn? (or whatever the hell its called)
AMD Opteron dual-core, AMD Opteron multi-processor, Pentium D, or Xeon multi-CPU?

Thanks for your help

Bobo

P.S. What difference does ECC RAM make over normal RAM?

 

[diduknowthat]

xp32 supports 4 gig of ram xp64 supports i think a tb of ram.

 

[Bobo]

xp32 supports 4 gig of ram xp64 supports i think a tb of ram.

Hmmm....now that I think about it, I think that XP64 supports 128GB, from something I heard. Who knows.

One more question: What is the difference between XP and Server 2003?

 

[691175002]

Hey Bobo... I'm back........!
Remember the fun we had... lol

Anyways... back to the topic...

What kind of programs are you thinking of using? Servers are generally different from high end workstations. If your dad wants to host his own webpage or run a game server or something then you will want a server but if he is working with video or 3d modeling/cad type stuff then a workstation is better.

Anyways here is the awnsers to your questions:
Probbably high end computer.
Not all that much in terms of software but they can give root command acess (or something) to other computers (so you can rent it out) and they are just used for different things.
4Gigs, like 64Tb, Longhorn (now vista) is the same as winxp64 but prettier (and lots of other stuff but thats the most major thing to me).
I'd sugest multi processor opterons (because amd rules) but if you dont need 2-8 then just a multi core should be fine.

edit: I missed the PS. Anywho... Ecc stands for "error correction code" and involves an extra bit that is sent with the data that is equal to 0 or two 1 depending on the contence of the data. If the ram messes up a bit the ecc will catch it (hopefully) and correct the problem. Ecc memory is generally more expensive for that reason but I would suggest getting it for a workstation. Just remember that the mb has to support it too.

 

[Bobo]

Remember the fun we had... lol

ya, I'm sure Praetor is still laughing about that one...lol

What kind of programs are you thinking of using?

CAD, 3D modeling, web hosting

Servers are generally different from high end workstations.

I knew that much

Probbably high end computer.

That is what I was leaning towards just because of compatibility

4Gigs, like 64Tb, Longhorn (now vista) is the same as winxp64 but prettier (and lots of other stuff but thats the most major thing to me).

I would definitely go with XP64 or vista...when does it come out?-Never mind, I'll answer that myself

I'd sugest multi processor opterons

good suggestion

(because amd rules)

DUH! The bad thing is that my dad won't let me get him a computer with anything but Intel in it....he wouldn't know the difference but he sees the credit card bills

but if you dont need 2-8 then just a multi core should be fine.

It very well may be. How much difference performance-wise is there between 2 processors and a dual-core processor with the same specs?

edit: I missed the PS. Anywho... Ecc stands for "error correction code" and involves an extra bit that is sent with the data that is equal to 0 or two 1 depending on the contence of the data. If the ram messes up a bit the ecc will catch it (hopefully) and correct the problem. Ecc memory is generally more expensive for that reason but I would suggest getting it for a workstation.

ok....I think i understand-it catches errors. Ahhh, now I see why it is for servers.

Just remember that the mb has to support it too.

I don't think that I am that stupid.....who knows, maybe I am

 

[Geoff]

I would not reccommend an amd for what he will be using it for, and XP32 supports 4GB (as stated above), im not sure on XP64, but i know that there is no way for him to get more ram then it will accept for years to come.

 

[Bobo]

I would not reccommend an amd for what he will be using it for, and XP32 supports 4GB (as stated above), im not sure on XP64, but i know that there is no way for him to get more ram then it will accept for years to come.

Well I'm sure he shan't be needing more than 128GB of RAM, which I think is what XP64 supports

 

[krimson_king]

the newer dimension (i mentioned in some other topic) either 8100 or 9100, cant emember, supports a tb for hardrive (dual 500 gb). although coming from dell it could be argued whether its a good idea or not

 

[Praetor]

will i be better off getting a high end computer or a server?

depends on the budget. my guess is a x2 + RAM + HDD should suffice... now if he has specific requirements thats a different story.

what is the difference in terms of software runnability?

depends on the applications he's running. now if hes trying to setup a basement renderfarm then SMP is the route to go... same for statistical analysis and moDelling... of course dualcore machines try to do that at a much lower cost so it kinda depends on the applications and the budget

p.s. what difference does ecc RAM make over normal RAM?

RAM 101.

xp32 supports 4 gig of ram xp64 supports i think a tb of ram.

Yes but you're bound by the motherboard/northbridge limitations still

One more question: What is the difference between XP and Server 2003?

One is a client OS and the other is a combination client/server OS.

If your dad wants to host his own webpage or run a game server or something then you will want a server but if he is working with video or 3d modeling/cad type stuff then a workstation is better.

Other way around there

ya, I'm sure Praetor is still laughing about that one...lol

Stay on topic. I have no compunction against banning the both of yas.

CAD, 3D modeling, web hosting

Ok now we have the type of program... what programs specifically and how intense?

The bad thing is that my dad won't let me get him a computer with anything but Intel in it....he wouldn't know the difference but he sees the credit card bills

Makes sense. When you goto mass SMP, Intel has been at it way longer and thats comforting to admins .... power users used to desktops think that the SMP environment is the same ... hehe they have no idea

It very well may be. How much difference performance-wise is there between 2 processors and a dual-core processor with the same specs?

If you compare say 2xOSA244FAA5BL vs 1xOSA165FAA6CB, the pure SMP will do better due to the additiona amount of memory.

Well I'm sure he shan't be needing more than 128GB of RAM, which I think is what XP64 supports

Believe me if you needed that much RAM, your dad wouldnt have asked you to do it

 

[Bobo]

Ok now we have the type of program... what programs specifically and how intense?

I really don't know, b/c he won't tell me and I am not allowed to go on his computer, but I know that he runs ANSYS and AutoCAD LT 97 and AutoCAD 2006.

And right now he is using a p3 1GHz with XP Pro and 2GB of RAM, CAD video card; it runs slower than heck.

 

[Bobo]

price difference is factor.

A difference of $100 is not going to matter.

 

[Praetor]

OVerall I think a light server will probably suit his requirements the most (i.e., something say Athlon64 X2 based but not Opteron based). Granted an Opteron-class system will be able to do everything the X2 can and then some however there's also the maintainence requirements should he decide to up the ante by way of mini-renderfarm. X2s are "contained units" which dont really have much of an extended maintainence really

 

[Bobo]

however there's also the maintainence requirements should he decide to up the ante by way of mini-renderfarm.

Normal english, please

 

[Praetor]

Normal english, please

Buy a high end X2 box and run it as a server.

 

[Bobo]

Buy a high end X2 box and run it as a server.

Well, it would be a Pentuim D but same difference

Thank you all very much!

Bobo