Help/advice on components for first build.

impr0v

I posted yesterday on the alienware/dell thread about needing a high spec workstation within a short period of time (2-3 weeks). Alienware can't turn it around within that timeframe, so without a whole lot of options i've decided to try and build it myself.

I haven't any experience of this, so please have a look at the components below and tell me if you notice any glaring problems, or omissions.

case: beantech igloo 1

processors: Dual AMD Opterons 252, 2.6GHz, 2way Socket 940, 1MB, BOXED w/fan

mobo: MSI K8T Master2-FAR, KT800, Dual-CPU Socket-940, SATA/ATA

ram: 4 x Corsair PC3200 DDR-DIMM 1024MB ECC REG 64Meg x 4, CAS 2.5, "Low Profile"

gfx card: Club3D Radeon X850XT PE, 256MB GDDR3 256bit, AGP 8x, VGA, DVI,Tv-Out,Retail

optical drive: Plextor DVD recorder PX-716A IDE Retail

primary hdd: Western Digital Raptor 74GB SATA 8MB 10000RPM

secondary: Seagate Barracuda 7200.8 400GB SATA 8MB 7200RPM NCQ

psu:Fortron/Source Powersupply ATX 550W EPS12V, SATA, Special Edition, 24/20pin

sound:Creative SB Audigy 2 ZS, Bulk PCI Soundcard,THX,7.1,24-bit/192KHz

floppy drive:Sony Floppy Drive, 3,5" 1,44MB Silver Floppy Drive Internal

mouse: Microsoft IntelliMouse Optical, USB, PS/2

keyboard:Logitech Media Keyboard Black, PS/2

OS:Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP2 English OEM

USB Controller:Sunsway/ST Lab PCI USB 2.0 4+1P ,NEC chip, USB 1.1/2.0


Am i missing anything, and in terms of cables do I need power cables, sata cables, ide cables? Cooling apart from that supplied with the case? Apologies if I'm asking stupid questions, but there's a lot of guesswork involved for me here.

Is it realistic to expect to have this up, running and stable within 2-3 weeks, with zero experience of building a machine?

jozi

On cooling you'd want a fan(s) pulling air in from the front and fan(s) pushing air out the back/top. Stock cooling for the cpu's should be fine (your not over clocking i assume).
Is that x850xt not over kill for a work station? (I dont know what you need it for).

I know nothing about dual cpu systems so no comment there.

Would you not go raid? (Someone else explain the workings of that as i dont know them).

As for cables, any of the mobo's i had came with 2 Sata cables (with sata mobo's offcourse) 2 ide cable (hd/optical) and a floppy cable, power will all be on the psu (which i think is a decent unit)

Jozi

EDIT: get a mx 510 mouse

WizZard

Umm, didn't you want this for high-end CAD/graphics work. If so then you would be better off going with ATI's FireGL range of workstation graphics cards, IMO.

impr0v

WizZard wrote:

Umm, didn't you want this for high-end CAD/graphics work. If so then you would be better off going with ATI's FireGL range of workstation graphics cards, IMO.

Yer, i know, was after a FireGL X2-256t, but i can only a few UK suppliers stocking them, none of which ship to here willingly, and those who do aren't answering e-mails. The CAD work is mostly 2D, so I think that card will suffice.

unkel

impr0v wrote:

Am i missing anything, and in terms of cables do I need power cables, sata cables, ide cables?

All cabels would come with the hardware

impr0v wrote:

Is it realistic to expect to have this up, running and stable within 2-3 weeks, with zero experience of building a machine?

Very much so. It takes an experienced builder a few hours, so if you allow a few days for asking questions here and looking things up and reading the manuals etc. you should be fine

Comments about your choice of hardware a lot was said already:

1. Case. I don't know that case but it looks cheapish for the value of the hardware you're putting in and the cooling you'd need. Maybe a Thermaltake of Lian-Li Full Tower with loads of fans and a controller?

2. x850xt - total overkill if you're only using it for 2D and will not use it for gaming

3. You HAVE to have RAID0 on that machine. Get another Raptor

4. Get a more precise mouse (MX-510 is indeed good)

Khannie

I'd suggest Raid1 (mirrored) for a workstation (if I'm getting my raid's right).

Raid 0 + 1 if you want high performance and mirrored (again if I'm getting my raids right).

impr0v

unkel wrote:

1. Case. I don't know that case but it looks cheapish for the value of the hardware you're putting in and the cooling you'd need. Maybe a Thermaltake of Lian-Li Full Tower with loads of fans and a controller?

2. x850xt - total overkill if you're only using it for 2D and will not use it for gaming

3. You HAVE to have RAID0 on that machine. Get another Raptor

4. Get a more precise mouse (MX-510 is indeed good)

1. I'm not convinced about the case either, but there isn't a great selection @ komplett imo and in order to keep everything moving and on the same timeline i want to get everything from the one supplier. I'll have another look through them.

2. I'll be using it for gaming alright. The CAD use is for a rental period (i talked about this in the other thread) and the client i'm renting it to specifically asked for a good card. I can recoup at least half the cost of the machine on the rental, especially when if i can tell them there is top quality hardware in it. After the rental period, I'll be using it to replace my main machine, at which point it will be used for cs:s, gta san andreas when it comes out, etc.

3. it was my initial idea, but then i dedcided not to overcomplicate things. i might get another then and have a go. will the psu start to struggle with everything it'll be powering?

4. i have an mx500 currently which i'm happy enough with, and will use on that machine when i get it back. no point buying two, and the intellimouse is still decent enough.

impr0v

Have ordered the stuff. Changed the case to this one: http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=304465&s=sc, and have added a second raptor. Thanks for feedback, now prepare for the 'OMG HELP!' posts.

unkel

impr0v wrote:

Have ordered the stuff. Changed the case to this one: http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=304465&s=sc, and have added a second raptor. Thanks for feedback, now prepare for the 'OMG HELP!' posts.

OMG HELP!

That was quick!

Khannie wrote:

I'd suggest Raid1 (mirrored) for a workstation (if I'm getting my raid's right)

0 or 1 depends if speed or fault tolerance is the priority

Khannie wrote:

Raid 0 + 1 if you want high performance and mirrored (again if I'm getting my raids right).

RAID0+1 is ideal but that mobo only has two SATA connectors. 4*Raptor in RAID0+1 (if that provides enough space) on a separate PCI RAID card or even a SCSI setup would not have been excessive in a high end workstation like above. It's not too late to change your order on Komplett. Best be quick before they start picking the order!