New PC

[res]

Hi,

I am just planning to purchase a new PC from Dell (i have to go to Dell, UK, because they are our universitys preferred supplier), and i have a few questions about what to go for.

The main applications for this PC are for quality control of our laboratory. It will have to run a large access database, aswell as connect to a digital SLR camera (Cannon EOS300D) which is connected to a microscope. It will probably have to do these two things at the same time. We also have a PhD student who will be running a program called FEMLAB (FEMLAB — which stands for Finite Element Modeling Laboratory — is an advanced software package for modeling and simulation of any physical process you can describe with partial differential equations) This requires a min of 1GB to work.

At the moment i am looking at the Dell Precision 650. I have choosen this model because of the greater number of expansion slots, USB2.0 ports, overall design.

My questions are:

1) Do i go for a single or dual Intel Xeon processor, is it better to go for a faster single processor or a two slower ones (for approx the same price difference)?

2) Memory 1.0, 1.5 or 2.0 GB? Whats the difference between ECC and Non-ECC except the price?

3) Graphics card, at present the one specified is a nVidia QuadroFX 500 (Dual-Monitor VGA - VGA/DVI) 128MB Graphics Card. I might be interested in getting a dual monitor setup, how will this effect things, is the card good enough?

4) Monitor(s), i think we will go for the Dell 17'' UltraSharp™ Flat Panel Monitor, maybe 2.

We currently have a budget of around £2000 ex VAT, but this can go up a bit.

Any feedback that anyone has to offer would be much appreciated. Being more of a software type person, i am always a bit nervous when spending alot of money on hardware.

Cheers,

Richard

[osprey4]

We're using that basic system for an image acquisition system. I'm ignorant of the issues with the processor. However, you are going to want ECC (error-correction code) RAM for a scientific application like that. Since RAM is cheap, there's no downside to going with 2 GB.

Regarding the monitor, there is no benefit to a flat-panel monitor except size. If you have the room, the same money will get you a 21" monitor and you'll be much happier.

[res]

Thanks for the response. On the Dell website the difference between 2GB of ECC and Non-ECC is £240. Not so small. Does it really make much difference?

We have decided to get a single flat panel (18") monitor. Space is a bit of an issue as we have to have this PC located in a clean room. We can always get a second monitor if needed later.

Cheers,

Richard

[Derek79602+]

1) You'll need to check with your software vendors to see if the apps you'll be running can take advantage of the dual processors, otherwise you'll be happier with one faster chip.

2) ECC runs slower but is Error Checking and Correcting. I agree with Osprey.

3) I'm not familiar with that card- but check TomsHardware's VGA charts. I'm an ATi freak myself- but that's for gaming. Most business machines benefit from a Matrox card.

4) Get a second monitor soon as you can afford- you'll get spoiled for the extra real estate quickly and wonder what you did without it.

[SeanC]

I would suggest the 2GB of RAM. You'll probably find you'll need it. Like has already been mentioned check if the programs you're running support dual CPUs. If so, go for it.

I would suggest going with the ECC RAM as well.

Sean

[osprey4]

I'm actually surprised they offer the Precision with non-ECC. But for data handling, ECC is a must.

I checked our image acquisition system and it's a Precision 640 running W2k Pro. Very, very nice system.

[res]

Hi,

Thanks for everyones help. I shall take your comments into consideration when making the purchase (within the next couple of weeks).

Cheers,

Richard