MO & CPU Recommendations for Win2K Server as a Workstation

[Pack Fan]

Looking for recommendations for a motherboard and processor for my new
workstation.

Have a Win2K Server license unused so I want to use it for the new
workstation. This machine will be used mostly for web work (Dreamweaver) and
database design (SQL Server 2K, not running the server but Enterprise
Manager and similar tools), but also some graphics (Illustrator and
Photoshop), some video editing and some programming (Visual C++).

I like the idea of dual processors, but don't really know if the
price-performance ratio justifies this.

I'd like to stay a bit below the very latest and greatest to get the best
bang for my bucks, but will certainly consider any advice.

Also, I don't yet have a video card, so I guess recommendations for that,
too, would be in order. I am not a gamer, but I certainly don't want a
sluggish card.

I will be networking this machine with several others, but since ethernet
cards are so cheap and plentiful I'm thinking I can just go name brand here.

Currently I have the following components for my system:

1. 2 x Seagate Barracuda 120GB EIDE UltraATA/100 7200 rpm hard drive 8MB
cache, model no. ST3120026A

2. 2 x Maxtor DiamondMax 120GB EIDE UltraATA/133 7200 rpm hard drive 8MB
cache, model no. L01P120

3. 1 x SIIG UltraATA/133 RAID PCI controller card with integrated USB 2.0
and FireWire, model no. JU-NNBR11

4. 1 x Kensington Wireless Keyboard & Mouse

So, any thoughts?

Thanks much,

Dave

 

[@drian]

Looking for recommendations for a motherboard and processor for my new
workstation.

An E7205 based motherboard, with an Intel 2.6GHz CPU.

I like the idea of dual processors, but don't really know if the
price-performance ratio justifies this.

Usually not. The idea of dual CPUs sounds nice, but they would be underused
in reality. Your SQL Server and Photoshop would use them but it depends how
heavily you would use them.

I'd like to stay a bit below the very latest and greatest to get the best
bang for my bucks, but will certainly consider any advice.

Yes, well E7205-based boards are not the latest, but still rock solid.

Also, I don't yet have a video card, so I guess recommendations for that,
too, would be in order. I am not a gamer, but I certainly don't want a
sluggish card.

What about an ATI Radeon 9600 Pro?

I will be networking this machine with several others, but since ethernet
cards are so cheap and plentiful I'm thinking I can just go name brand

here.

Some E7205 boards have 10/100 built in. You could get an Intel 10/100/1000
Gigabit NIC, or just one of the excellent 3Com 905C NIC's.

Currently I have the following components for my system:

1. 2 x Seagate Barracuda 120GB EIDE UltraATA/100 7200 rpm hard drive 8MB
cache, model no. ST3120026A

2. 2 x Maxtor DiamondMax 120GB EIDE UltraATA/133 7200 rpm hard drive 8MB
cache, model no. L01P120

3. 1 x SIIG UltraATA/133 RAID PCI controller card with integrated USB 2.0
and FireWire, model no. JU-NNBR11

Sounds nice!

4. 1 x Kensington Wireless Keyboard & Mouse

They are nice too!

Hope I've helped in some way. What I've listed is what I'd buy based on
what you asked.

@drian.

 

[Pack Fan]

Thanks for the input, @drian. I'll check out your suggestions. I assume
you're referring to a P4 when you suggest an Intel 2.6 GHz CPU, no?

Anyone else want to weigh-in?

Thanks,

Dave

 

[stacey]

Thanks for the input, @drian. I'll check out your suggestions. I assume
you're referring to a P4 when you suggest an Intel 2.6 GHz CPU, no?

Anyone else want to weigh-in?

Yep, dual chips will make a difference if you are doing more than one thing
at a time, like encoding video while working in word etc.

 

[Pack Fan]

So what good dual processor MOs are out there? I'm also considering AMD, if
this functionality is available.

Thanks,

Dave

 

[@drian]

Thanks for the input, @drian. I'll check out your suggestions. I assume
you're referring to a P4 when you suggest an Intel 2.6 GHz CPU, no?

Yes, the Pentium 4 2.6GHz 533 FSB. Because it's not the latest 800 FSB
part, and not high in GHz, it should be a lot easier on the wallet. For me,
building a server, I'd use those parts. I would consider an Asus or
SuperMicro for the E7205.

@drian.

 

[@drian]

So what good dual processor MOs are out there? I'm also considering AMD, if
this functionality is available.

Well, I know Intel's better than AMD. Here is one such board:

http://www.supermicro.com/PRODUCT/MotherBoards/E7505/X5DAL-TG2.htm

It uses the E7505 chipset. The E7505 is the Xeon version of the E7205. The
E7205 is meant for single processor systems, as it takes a Pentium 4. The
P4's are not dual processor compatible.

This is actually a nice board, PCI-X, 8GBs of DDR 200/266 RAM supported,
supports Xeon's up to 3.2GHz, SATA RAID built onboard. Very nice. When
matched with one of their cases, you would have a very solid, fast system.

@drian.

 

[@drian]

So what good dual processor MOs are out there? I'm also considering AMD, if
this functionality is available.

Two more for you to look at:

32-bit PCI:
http://www.tyan.com/products/html/tigeri7505.html

32-bit PCI & 64-bit PCI-X:
http://www.tyan.com/products/html/thunderi7505.html

@drian.

 

[Pack Fan]

Thanks for all the info, @drian. I'm going to be going over those three dual
boards you mentioned.

Quick question, though, and I'm sure this will reveal my considerable
ignorance, is 64 bit PCI new? Is 32 bit more typical? When a vendor doesn't
specify is their card typically 32 or 64 bit?

Thanks,

Dave

 

[@drian]

Thanks for all the info, @drian. I'm going to be going over those three dual
boards you mentioned.

Quick question, though, and I'm sure this will reveal my considerable
ignorance, is 64 bit PCI new? Is 32 bit more typical? When a vendor doesn't
specify is their card typically 32 or 64 bit?

64-bit PCI-X slots are not new. They've been used mainly on server
motherboards and moved their way into workstation boards. To hazard a
guess, I'd say they've been around for 6-12 months. 32-bit PCI slots are
definitely more popular. I would say you'd need a 64-bit slot for a few
reasons:

a) SCSI adapter
b) FireWire 800 adapter

If you don't care about FireWire 800 and the SCSI is built into the
motherboard, then I don't see why you'd need to pursue a 64-bit slot,
although they are certainly handy to have for future PCI cards.

Vendors who make PCI cards who don't specify are selling a 32-bit PCI card.
For a vendor selling a 64-bit card, you'll either see it as "64-bit PCI", or
"64-bit PCI and 32-bit compatible", meaning, it really is a 64-bit card but
can be used in a 32-bit PCI slot. If used in a 32-bit PCI slot, the
bandwidth of that card is halfed.

I personally like Tyan and SuperMicro, especially SuperMicro as it's really
handy to have a maker who makes the cases as well as the boards.

Regards.

@drian.

 

[Pack Fan]

Thanks for the recommendations, @drian.

Here's what I'm thinking now having incorporated some of your suggestions:

Motherboard:
SUPER X5DAL-TG2 (MBD-X5DAL-TG2-O) for $442
http://www.supermicro.com/PRODUCT/MotherBoards/E7505/X5DAL-TG2.htm

CPUs:
2 x Intel(R) Xeon(TM) Processor 2.66GHz 533MHz 604pin .13u 512KB for $278
each
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80921-533

Do I need heat sinks, fans, etc. for these processors?

Also, considering this processor had a 533MHz system bus, what speed RAM
should I be buying? The MO can take up to 8 GB. I want 2GB.

From the MO specs: up to 8 GB ECC registered DDR-200/266 memory in 4 DIMM
slots.

Crucial recommends:
.. 512MB DDR PC2100, DDR PC2100 . CL=2.5 . Unbuffered . Non-parity . 7.5ns .
2.5V . 64Meg x 64, CT6464Z265
$79.99 (USD)
or
.. 512MB DDR PC2100, DDR PC2100 . CL=2.5 . Unbuffered . ECC . 7.5ns . 2.5V .
64Meg x 72, CT6472Z265
$111.99 (USD)

Is PC2100 adequate? I don't even know what it means!!! Is the extra $$ for
ECC worth it? Any suggestions or advice?

I also want a case with plenty of room. I already have four 3.5" internal
drives, two 5.25" externally accessible drives, CDRW and DVD+-RW, and no
doubt I'll end up adding more. Maybe a Kanguru drive.

SuperMicro recommends the SC762,
http://www.supermicro.com/PRODUCT/Chassis/SC760.htm, but it only has two
internal 3.5" bays. It does have six external 5.25" bays, but I would
greatly prefer a cage accommodating four 3.5" drives.

Graphics Card:
ATI RADEON 9600 PRO 128MB 8X AGP DVI/TV
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=14-102-276&refer=d3alt1me
$172

Already have the following:
1. 2 x Seagate Barracuda 120GB EIDE UltraATA/100 7200 rpm hard drive 8MB
cache, model no. ST3120026A
2. 1 x Maxtor DiamondMax 120GB EIDE UltraATA/133 7200 rpm hard drive 8MB
cache, model no. L01P120
3. 1 x SIIG UltraATA/133 RAID PCI controller card with integrated USB 2.0
and FireWire, model no. JU-NNBR11
4. 1 x Kensington Wireless Keyboard & Mouse
5. 1 x MediaStor-52x24x52 CD-RW Drive-CW-524
6. 1 x Buslink 4x DVD +/-RW +/-R

Thanks much,

Dave