New Workstation

[cgrover]

I recently started my own firm and am looking at a new workstation configuration and thought I'd see if anyone here had some opinions. I'll be using Revit exclusively.

I'm trying to decide between a machine with one 2.66 or 2.88GHz Xenon (so I can upgrade to a dual processor in the future) versus a Pentium 4 3.2GHz. Either machine would have 2GB of RAM and 2 40GB hard drives RAID configured, they would also have the Matrox Parhelia 128MB graphics/video card.

Thanks,
grover

[gregcashen]

I recently started my own firm and am looking at a new workstation configuration and thought I'd see if anyone here had some opinions. I'll be using Revit exclusively.

I'm trying to decide between a machine with one 2.66 or 2.88GHz Xenon (so I can upgrade to a dual processor in the future) versus a Pentium 4 3.2GHz. Either machine would have 2GB of RAM and 2 40GB hard drives RAID configured, they would also have the Matrox Parhelia 128MB graphics/video card.

Thanks,
grover

Grover,

I just purchased (at the office ;) ) a refurbished Dell Precision 450 with Dual P4 2.4 GHz Xeons, 2 Gigs of ram, dual raid configured 15000rpm 30GB hard drives and the ATI Radeon FireGL X1 128MB videon card. Price for the CPU was about $2200. It screams. I always have at least 3 apps running, so I am able to take advantage of the dual procs that way. I usually have Revit, Autocad, Excel, IE (ZDBB), and/or one of several structural analysis programs open. The dual monitors makes the biggest difference though.

[Scott_Bloss]

Grover,

The introductory course for Autodesk Revit 6.0 by Cyril Verley Courseware Development, list all of the hardware requirements for Revit as well as listing Revit perferred equipment. It also list grapics cards that are revit tested. If you do not have a copy of the courseware let me know and i will provide you with the list of information.

[cgrover]

Greg an.d Scott,

Thanks for the tips. I checked out Dell's refurbished but find that I can have one custom built for less money that has as much or more features. Just really debating a single P4 or dual Xenon's.

Thanks,
grover

[gregcashen]

Greg an.d Scott,

Thanks for the tips. I checked out Dell's refurbished but find that I can have one custom built for less money that has as much or more features. Just really debating a single P4 or dual Xenon's.

Thanks,
grover

I don't think you'll find a new Dell for the same price as a refurbed one. In fact, given what I know about the refurbished salesmen's ability to discount peripherals by 50%, not even close. By the time I configured the same computer I bought, I was over $600 over the refurbed price.

[John K.]

--snip--
I'm trying to decide between a machine with one 2.66 or 2.88GHz Xenon (so I can upgrade to a dual processor in the future) versus a Pentium 4 3.2GHz. Either machine would have 2GB of RAM and 2 40GB hard drives RAID configured, they would also have the Matrox Parhelia 128MB graphics/video card.--snip--

I like my dual processor machine, and I tend to leave about a dozen apps open and XP & Revit don't flinch -- at least not that I ever notice. That said, however, Revit isn't yet optimized -- save in Render mode -- for SMP. I've seen very little difference in Revit's performance on the following two PC's:

1. Home: Dual Athlon 2600's w/1G RAM. -- a homebuilt: Ca. $1500
2. Office: Single Intel 2.8GHz w//1G RAM. -- a Dell refurb: Ca. $1700

BTW, the first has the Nvidia GeForce FX 5600; the second: an ATI Radeon 9600. I chose both cards to allow for dual monitors -- not yet supported as well by Revit but still handy as throw-off for .PDF's, Spreadsheats, photos or maps, notes, etc. I assume that you chose the Matrox for this reason also but I've not heard/read as many good things about their cards as the afforementioned two.

Ordered a newly built box yesterday from a local shop [ca $1480]. It's for a new Revit seat. Instead of [possibly] burning cash on parallel processors, I'm going back to the fastest single CPU I can afford w/1.5 gig of RAM. Results of comparison to follow...

Hope this helps.

jk

[cgrover]

Greg,

I would agree that a custom one from Dell is more expensive. What I was refering to is that a friend of mine orders individual parts to build a workstation. We have tried to optimize parts specifically design for running Revit. The ones we have built for our old company really rocked and were very stable. I've never done any comparisons to a Dell machine, but was very happy with the performance of the machines.

grover

[sbrown]

I've gone both routes, having custom built and Dell for the exact reason you mentioned I can get a newer faster system with the custom built. There is only one problem "hardware conflicts" Unless the person who is going to build the system will be able to service it you may have many troubles. We had bought 10 custom systems and they all used the highest end equip at the time, but unfortunatly that hardware had not been tested together to know if it would all work seamlessly. while the dells will be slower and more $$$ they are much more stable.

You may get lucky with your homebuilt and thats great, but for a company I'd go with the tried and true.

[hand471037]

Dual Xeons rock, my last machine had them and they really let you do a lot of work. It's a good way to go if you can afford it. If you're not set on using a Dell, you can look at the AMD products too, for they have a lot of bang for the buck.

Also an interesting thing is the whole 'hyperthreading' thing from Intel. My laptop has a P4 3.0 Ghz with hyperthreading, and so far my experance with it has been better than I thought. I figured it was a gimmic or something, but the hyperthreading actually makes the computer work like a dual in certain instances. For example, just to see what would happen, I ran a Radiance rendering in the background while my wife and I watched a DVD. The render used 50% of the processor, and the movie & system the rest, and it didn't skip a beat. Couldn't even tell it was rendering! So while it's certainly not as fast as a 'true' dual proc machine, it certainly balances the processor load much better than a non-hyperthreaded machine.

So if you do go with the single processor machine, and if it's an Intel, then serously consiter the hyperthreaded machines if you're going to be doing any rendering work.

[brentcarlson892079]

I just bought a Dell 650 Workstation in December.
1 Zeon HT 2.6 (will upgrade to 2nd processor when Revit can use it)
I used the video card from my old computer (Nvidia Geforce4 980 XGL)
I just got 512mb of memory from Dell
Wanted 2gig but it was about $1400 extra :shock:
So I bought memory on the web for $500

My computer works great. Renderings that took a hour now seem to take about 10min
(if I get time, I will re render an old project to see for sure)

The only problem I have with Dell is this:
Yes they do configure the hardware to work the best in the system.
But, they don't tell anyone what they change! :(
I had to order memory twice to get the right kind!

Dell took the regular Intel chipset for workstations and changed what kind of memory it would take. (but their website and phone techs didn't give any help)
The chipset should take
ECC Registered and Non Buffered memory
But Dell changed it to not work with ECC Registered memory :x

I finally got a hold of the head of the tech support and he told me that it wouldn't take the Registered memory.

So...our server is screaming with 2.5gigs of memory :roll: (we were going to upgrade it, just not quite that much)

End of Rant

This is my first Dell computer (we have others in the office)
My last 2 computers were custom made from local companies.
They both died in a year. (motherboard and overheating problems) We've had major problems only with our custom computers.

My final cost for this computer was $1400 (computer)+ $500 (memory)
Even with the hassle I had, it's a great computer for $1900

[cgrover]

Brent,

Thanks for the reply. I had a 650 and really liked it, it had dual Xenon's and really worked well.

On a side note, I just moved from Brainerd to Montana, it is nice to see a Minnesotan on here.

Thanks again,
grover

[brentcarlson892079]

Grover,

I'd recommend getting another 650.
Check out price difference between getting all the memory in the computer configuration vs Dells accessories or other vendors.
2 1gig sticks during configuration was $1400
same thing is $900 from Dells peripheral web page
or $500 else ware.

I've been to Whitefish once. Fished on the Snake... or was it Clark River
I have a relative that Retired around there.

How long ago did you move?
It's been a GREAT winter here...TONS of SNOW funfun

8)

[cgrover]

Brent,

Just moved here in August and I love it. Moved to start a architecture division for a design/build company...within weeks of moving here the company went under. So I took my laptop and Revit and am striking it out on my own.

Did you fish the North Fork...haven't seen the Clark or Snake around here, not to say they aren't because I just haven't had time to explore much. I did wet a few flies on the North Fork, but most of that will wait until Spring now.

We've got a lot of snow too, makes for good skiing...but the weather has been very mild compared to "home".

I'll do some more checking on the Dell's.

grover

[gregcashen]

THe new version of the 650 is the 450, which I mentioned above. I would go the 450 over the 650 because you get more for less...at least in the refurbs

[brentcarlson892079]

I was mistaken, they live in St. Regis. About 70miles west of Missoula on I90. The river was the Clark Fork. I remember Whitefish because we spent some time there and the Flathead lake area.

Good luck with the computer. You could save a lot of money if you order the memory separately. The one that I got that worked was a Kingston matched set for the Dell 450/650. When you price on from Dell, check out this page (http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/MemConfigProductListing.aspx?c=us&l=en&cs=04&ManufactSelection=694&FamilySelection=Precision%20WorkStation&ModelSelection=125035) and compair the memory prices.

[gregcashen]

Also, if you purchase a refurbed Dell, the price you will actually pay for memory upgrades is about half the listed price because the refurb salesmen can (and will if you ask) discount all accessories and peripherals up to 50%.

[Steve_Stafford]

Greg, I'm thinking a new title is in order..."Refurb Man" :twisted:

[gregcashen]

Alright, I am shutting up now ;)

[Steve_Stafford]

Hey good info and advice deserves to be said...just teasing. We'll leave the title the way it is, for now.

[cgrover]

Thanks to everyone for the feedback...going to look into all the options, keep you posted.

grover