Name Brand Workstations That Run ATI RADEON 9800 Pro

[CHANGE username to westes]

What are some brand-name workstations that are certified to run the ATI
RADEON 9800 Pro? I was very disappointed to find out that the Compaq W8000
workstation only runs the 9500 Pro. When I run 9700 Pro on it the system
hangs at boot, and this is documented on Compaq's site. Compaq apparently
isn't going to do anything about it.

I'm interested in both the Pentium 4 3.2 GHz systems like the Dell Precision
360, or dual Xeon 3.2 GHz systems like the Dell Precision 650. I don't
have any real brand preference. I just don't have time or patience to be a
beta tester. I want something that screams speed, is tested with ATI
RADEON 9800+, and is plentiful in the market so I can buy it relatively
cheap.

My application is gaming (Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004).

 

[John Hall]

Why not build your own machine from brand name parts you choose at your
local computer store. It's the best way to get a fast machine cheap.
Compaq is famous for it's "reliable" business PC's using proprietary parts
and technology.

JK

 

[CHANGE USERNAME TO westes]

As long as the value of your time is $0/hr, or something close, then I guess
saving $200 by buying clone parts makes sense. But you end up investing 10
to 20 hours of time instead of just plugging everything in and having it
work. Personally, I have no problem finding name brand systems with
manufacturer warranty on eBay for less money than what clone parts would
cost me new through distribution.

The only time I would consider building a clone is if I wanted to experiment
with cooling down the CPU to -45C and then massively overclocking it.
There are kits out that use refrigerator-like compressors to do just that,
and you can get a 3.2GHz CPU to clock at around 4.1GHz. I don't really
have the time for that experiment, today.

 

[Alan Walker]

In

As long as the value of your time is $0/hr, or something close, then
I guess saving $200 by buying clone parts makes sense. But you end
up investing 10 to 20 hours of time instead of just plugging
everything in and having it work. Personally, I have no problem
finding name brand systems with manufacturer warranty on eBay for
less money than what clone parts would cost me new through
distribution.

The only time I would consider building a clone is if I wanted to
experiment with cooling down the CPU to -45C and then massively
overclocking it.
There are kits out that use refrigerator-like compressors to do just
that, and you can get a 3.2GHz CPU to clock at around 4.1GHz. I
don't really have the time for that experiment, today.

I build all sorts of things from bits, fax server, gateway machines, etc but
for my main machine I like a warranty.

Talk to your local independant computer shop, order by specification and see
what they can build to order.

Alan Walker

 

[Andy Cunningham]

I think most people here simply like building their PCs, so don't really
count those hours spent in those terms. For me it is an interesting
exercise, and as it's no more than a couple of hours a month I haven't yet
got bored of it. The hours spent getting Microsoft software to work
properly is a different matter though ...

Dell computers can take the 9800 Pro, or a special 9800 which I think is
underclocked compared to the non-pro, which in the UK only adds £80 to the
price. The computers are generally reliable but don't even bother with
hoping for any service!

 

[Replicant]

The hours spent getting Microsoft software to work
properly is a different matter though ...

Yea, it takes me 6hrs. on average to reinstall windows, get all the
patches, install drivers, install apps, install games, install game
patches etc. I can build a complete PC from scratch in less than 2hrs
easily.

 

[J.Clarke]

As long as the value of your time is $0/hr, or something close, then I
guess saving $200 by buying clone parts makes sense. But you end up
investing 10 to 20 hours of time instead of just plugging everything
in and having it work. Personally, I have no problem finding name
brand systems with manufacturer warranty on eBay for less money than
what clone parts would cost me new through distribution.

It's not about saving money, it's about getting exactly what you want
and not what some guy at Dell or DECPaqard or IBM decided that you want.

Look at your question--"which proprietary box should I get to work with
a Radeon 9800 board".

 

[GTD]

What are some brand-name workstations that are certified to run the ATI
RADEON 9800 Pro? I was very disappointed to find out that the Compaq W8000
workstation only runs the 9500 Pro. When I run 9700 Pro on it the system
hangs at boot, and this is documented on Compaq's site. Compaq apparently
isn't going to do anything about it.

I'm interested in both the Pentium 4 3.2 GHz systems like the Dell Precision
360, or dual Xeon 3.2 GHz systems like the Dell Precision 650. I don't
have any real brand preference. I just don't have time or patience to be a
beta tester. I want something that screams speed, is tested with ATI
RADEON 9800+, and is plentiful in the market so I can buy it relatively
cheap.

My application is gaming (Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004).

www.abspc.com does. I've bought two systems from them, one in '99, and
one for my kid just a few months ago. I'm pretty impressed with their
service, and NOTHING they use is propietary, all good, name brand
parts. check it out.

 

[John Hall]

It doesn't take that long at all, and the nice thing is that when you are
done, you know the machine inside out. I have learned a lot about PC's over
the years doing that. The parts are all under warranty, and in the rare
event something goes, zip, it's out of the box and back to the store for
replacement. Mind you this is part of the geek hobby that not everyone
enjoys.

JK

 

[sherman]

alienware makes good pc's and has far better support then hell or crappaq
far better then hpeaceO'Shat