Replicate Dell Precision Mobile Workstation with mini-ITX build

itsabagel

Hi,

I need a laptop or a mini-ITX build to run SAS and R and some other database/statistical packages with a fairly big dataset. I don't need any gaming or anything, but would like to use as much RAM as possible to hold the dataset in memory and speed up analytics. I also do lots of calcs in real-time. I'll just use 64-bit Ubuntu as an OS and will need to run 4 screens off the graphics card, but have the screens already.

I was considering one of the Dell Precision Mobile Workstations at the following site as I had one before, but was wondering whether a mini-ITX build might be better value as I do need to move the machine around from time to time.

How could I replicate some of the spec on a machine like this, priced at around £1000 before VAT? Could I build a mini-ITX much cheaper than that?

Precision M6700 Laptop
English Windows® 7 Professional
Processor: Intel® Core™ i7-3940XM (3.00GHz Turbo, 8MB)
256 GB Mobility Solid State Drive
32 GB Memory 1600MHz Dual Channel DDR3 (4x8GB)
Graphics : AMD FirePro M4000 Mobility Pro Graphics with 1 GB GDDR5
Graphics : NVIDIA Quadro K4000M with 4 GB GDDR5
English Genuine Windows 7 SP1 Ultimate (64Bit OS)
Wireless : Dell Wireless 380 Bluetooth Card
Wireless: Intel Pro Wireless 6300 (802.11 a/b/g/n) Half Mini Card
Battery : Primary 9-cell 97W/HR
Display: 15.6in Full High Definition (1920X1080) WLED LCD Panel

1. What is your budget? About a grand.
2. What will be the main purpose of the computer? Stats.
3. Do you need a copy of Windows? No
4. Can you use any parts from an old computer? No.
5. Do you need a monitor? No.
6. Do you need any of these peripherals? No.
7. Are you willing to try overclocking? Yes.
8. How can you pay? Any.
9. When are you purchasing? Within the month.
10. If you need help building it, where are you based? Don't.

Thanks.

deceit

Instead of itx you could use matx in a prodigy case which is the same size as an itx case. Can support loads of high end kit then

itsabagel

Thanks for that. I want something compact, though, hence the idea of a mini-ITX. Was considering something like this. Have I any hope of fitting a similar spec into such a case?

http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/cooler-master-elite-120-mini-itx-case-with-usb-3-0-amazon-32-44-1745260

deceit

Only issue is ram as itx only has two dimms. You could get 16gb dimms though. Otherwise it would be much quicker. With matx you could get 8 16gb dimms on it

itsabagel

I've no preference for mini-itx over micro-atx, by the way. Just want a small, compact case.

deceit

itsabagel wrote: »

I've no preference for mini-itx over micro-atx, by the way. Just want a small, compact case.

For a high end build this is the best option
https://www.google.ie/search?q=prodigy+matx&tbm=isch&source=iu&imgil=K5QG34-MOHebsM%253A%253Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fencrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com%252Fimages%253Fq%253Dtbn%253AANd9GcQZ3slpOcb4_jXgjzFQ2nNn8Eq5l_NOXtb2cAflWPCBMGLLpvo4%253B821%253B786%253B6u8YQyprT4eWQM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.anandtech.com%25252Fshow%25252F7219%25252Fbitfenix-announces-the-prodigy-m-case-a-prodigy-for-matx&sa=X&ei=1Me8Up7OH_OS7Ab-v4G4Aw&ved=0CC4Q9QEwAQ&biw=1366&bih=665#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=K5QG34-MOHebsM%3A%3B6u8YQyprT4eWQM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fimages.anandtech.com%252Fdoci%252F7219%252Fprodigy_m_black_inside_1.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.anandtech.com%252Fshow%252F7219%252Fbitfenix-announces-the-prodigy-m-case-a-prodigy-for-matx%3B821%3B786

itsabagel

That case is a bit big. Looking for a more compact form factor case.