Computer guys , I have a question for you.

braxx

braxx

Club Member
Hey computer guys. I want to upgrade my current computer situation. Right now I have a HP / Compaq Intel Celeron D processor 3.4ghz, 2gb of ram, 160gb HD, on board video running Vista Basic see full spec's here: http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/ca/e...8260-78308260-78308260-79685091-80159593.html

90% of the machines use is to DL torrents of various types ( Movies, video, computer software ) and to DL projects from my companies FTP server. Usually I set it up to DL and then come back 12-24+ hours later and then work with what I've DL'd. Most times I have to unpack/unrar and assemble the content and then burn to CD/DVD. When I'm actually working on unpacking and burning, the computer REALLY, REALLY slows down. A friend told me that a duo/dual core processor would help a lot because it would allow the multiple processes to be divided between the multiple cores. ( Mind you I'm working with around 4-6 files that are 2-8gb's each, at one time. Then burning while still working )
SO, I've found some really good deals on some AMD dual 64x processor based pc's and I was pretty sure that was what I was gonna go with.
Well, now my work "might" be able to give me a deal on a HP Workstation XW8000 with dual 3.2ghz Xeon processors, 4gb ram, 73gb HD ( 10 or 15,000rpm ) see some spec's here: http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/11506_na/11506_na.HTML

I don't know anything about a Workstation with dual Xeon processors.
Will it work as a regular PC?
Will it work for my needs just as good or better than say a AMD 64 dual cored 2.4ghz common computer?

What do you guys suggest?

Thanks,
 
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V3N0MUS said:
8 gigs of ram ;)
Click to expand...

Well, for one I would have to change my OS to a 64bit OS to be able to see/use 8gbs of ram.
Next is I run a logger and task manager while I'm working, ram never hit's over 80% and is usually 50%
CPU is usually pegged or over 80%

I suspect a SCSI HD set up could help with the unpacking and transfering BUT also more processor?
 
braxx said:
Well, for one I would have to change my OS to a 64bit OS to be able to see/use 8gbs of ram.
Next is I run a logger and task manager while I'm working, ram never hit's over 80% and is usually 50%
CPU is usually pegged or over 80%

I suspect a SCSI HD set up could help with the unpacking and transfering BUT also more processor?
Click to expand...

I never knew you were such a nerd josh!! :hmm::nerd:
 
dude with that type of power those workstations like that are putting out youll be 100X what you have now.. the Xeon processor series is a Business class server type processor .. theyre a bit above the regular pentiums.... id go for it .. thats a sick deal... if not... ill buy it from you :)
 
Well...

That dual Xeon workstation is much more powerful than your current Pentium D. It's also dual proc, so it can execute two processes in parallel. If you were to do a set of actions on the Pentium D, then on the dual Xeon, the Xeon experience will definitely be better. How much better - hard to say. What you really need to keep in mind is that in your described scenario, what you're doing seems to be much less CPU intensive and much more HDD (disk) intensive. e.g. when you're moving a 2-8GB file, the HD I/O is maxing out... and will negatively affect any other process you might be trying to do in parallel... regardless of how taxed the CPU (or CPUs) are. Also, just so you're aware, the HDD throughput of that SCSI really isn't going to be that much better than the PATA/SATA throughput of your current rig. The 10/15k RPM SCSI disks are good from HDD seek perspective (time it takes for the disk to find the file and get the R/W head to the correct portion of the platter). The SCSI disk also normally have a longer/better MTBF... as they're intended for server class reliability.

Will a dual/quad core CPU help? Yes, some.... but I suspect that you're more HDD I/O bound than CPU. That said, I would consider adding a second HDD (call it your "data drive", seperate from your C: Windows OS HDD) and processing your large files on it... and keep your current OS HDD "freed up" for I/O while multi-tasking. Even more so on a dual/quad core rig.

Is that workstation worth it? I'd say it depends on what kind of $$$ they want. I mean, really, you can build a brand new Intel quad core rig with two new SATA HDDs for $700-800 (assuming no high end video card). But, if they're pretty much going to "give" that workstation to you, I would strongly consider adding a second HDD... and keep the OS and core apps on the existing C: drive... and keep the large data files on the second drive. The spec you linked to on the HP workstation says it has a SCSI and SATA/PATA controller, so you could pickup an inexpensive WD 1TB SATA HDD for ~$100... versus 2-3x that cost for a SCSI.

Whatever you do, I'd be more worried/focused on HDD I/O performance that CPU... though having a dual/quad core won't hurt... and they're available pretty cheap nowadays.
 
go with 8 gigs of teh fastest ram you can purchase, set up a ram drive this is like adding more cache to your hdrive its ability to pre write and read data in advance, go with a quad core processor wiht 45nm core, and the main issue with all the read writing and converting is hdd bottlenecks, you can get scsi hardware which is the fastest possible hard drive combo, next i would attempt ssd, solid states do not offer alot of space but there access and write capabilities are un matched right now the are bookuu bucks though.

work sations with dual processors are very good for what your doing, but they are hard to come by and often involve some work to set up efficiently
 
I currently run an sc1430 with dual quad core xeons and 8 gigs of ram. I DL a lot of torrents and stream video to other computers in the house and the computer never skips a beat. The only problem is the video capabilities are limited as video card choices were limited due to dells cripiling of the motherboard (they really dont want you to use it as a deskstop).

I;d say go for it on the dual xeons
 
Well, it looks like I missed out on the dual Xeon rig ... mother f'er
I'll start getting serious here and swap out my current PC for something more suited to my tasks.
Thanks for the replies guys.
Feel free to give more input if you have any.
 
Last edited:
FYI - There's a few computer stores with black Friday deals on quad cores. I believe Newegg is having a pre-BF sale that has the Q6600 (quad core, 2.4GHz) for $179.
 
Killjoy said:
FYI - There's a few computer stores with black Friday deals on quad cores. I believe Newegg is having a pre-BF sale that has the Q6600 (quad core, 2.4GHz) for $179.
Click to expand...

That's only a processor and it's only $10 less than its normal price.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...15017&cm_sp=DailyDeal-_-19-115-017-_-Homepage

It looks like I didn't miss out on the Xeon dual processor computers. My IS/IT guy is bringing me 2 of them tomorrow!

New project. On the CHEAPPPPPP!!!!!!!!!!
 
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