PlanetZ forums - scopeusers.com

Hello Everyone,

I have been searching the forum trying to find info on new systems and having trouble so if some of this is covered already let me know

I'm looking to get a Dell Precision Workstation http://www.dell.com/content/products/ca ... bsd&~ck=mn

I haven't had time to research the new PCIe, PCI, etc formats available & how they effect the Pulsar cards. (I currently have Pulsar1 & am looking at getting another card for more DSP when getting this upgrade). I'll also need firewire on this as I have a couple Ozonics I integrate on occastion.

Anyways, I don't build computers so I was thinking this would be a good route - here are the specs:

Dual-Core Intel Xeon 5080 3.73GHz, 1066 FSB, 2 X 2MB L2 Cache, 130 watt

Slots
3 PCI-e x8 slot wired as x4
1 PCI-e x16 graphics slot
2 PCI-e x16 slots with optional graphics card riser on 690 1KW chassis
(NOTE: Graphics riser option covers up 2 PCI-e x8 slot wired as x4 and 1 PCI 32bit/33Mhz slot. Remaining slots are 2 PCI-X 64bit/100MHz and 1 PCI-e x8 slot wired as x4. Option must be ordered at system purchase.)
2 PCI-X 64bit/100MHz slots with support for 3.3v or universal cards
1 PCI 32bit/33Mhz slot

Bays
4 internal 3.5" hard disk drive bays
3 external 5.25" optical bays, one of which can accommodate a fifth HDD
1 external 3.5" flex bay for floppy or media card reader

Standard I/O Ports
8 USB 2.0: two on front panel, five on back panel, one internal on motherboard
2 IEEE 1394a: one front, one rear
2 serial, 1 parallel, 2 PS/2, 1 RJ-45, Stereo line-in and headphone line-out (on back panel)
Microphone and headphone connector (on front panel)

Up to 64GB1 quad-channel architecture DDR2 Fully-Buffered DIMM 533 and 667MHz ECC memory
(512MB, 1GB, 2GB or 4GB3 DIMMS; 512MB 533MHz DIMM not available on the 1KW chassis)
Up to 16 DIMM slots (1KW chassis required for memory expansion greater than 32GB1 and greater than 8 DIMM slots)

128MB PCIe x16 ATI FireGL V3400, Dual DVI or Dual VGA or DVI + VGA or
128MB PCIe x16 nVidia Quadro FX550, Dual VGA or Dual DVI or DVI + VGA

I would greatly appreciate any feedback & direction on what to do w/ so many changes coming up - Windows Vista, Windows 64 bit, PCI-XYZ...

Thanks!


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: gn on 2006-10-03 01:46 ]</font>

I don't think i would ever buy a "brand" pc like a Dell. In my experience you'll get better value i you buy components and assemble the thing yourself (or have some computer-savvy friend do it for you if you don't fancy doing it youself).


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: King of Snake on 2006-10-04 11:07 ]</font>

check your private messages...

hi all

i'm shure i mentioned it before in some other threads:

i use an 18 month old cheap dell dimension 5000 with two 15 dsp boards (generation 2), NO PROBLEMS AT ALL

i bet you would have a fantastic performance and a stable system with a dell precision workstation...

my 2 swiss cents

yes, dell uses intel motherboards on it's intel processor machines. i'm sure it will work.....

By simple curiosity, are the Dell Workstation (precision, inspiron ...) as good as HP for creamware systems ?

it's not about a brand so much.
it's about the motherboard and other features vs. price.

almost all computers work well. there are a few that don't.

From what I was told by the guy from whom I purchased my HP xw8400, the Dell Precision 690 is basically the same computer/mobo as mine. With that, you will have to sacrifice a CPU socket in order to use the Pulsar I on the 690 (possible the 390 as well). I had to hack the case (borrowed a Dremel) a bit to fit the breakout-dongle (I/Os, SPDIF, etc) and held onto the pulled CPU, cooler, etc. for later use/spares.

The old Dell Precisions should work with the Pulsar I if you're prepared to make some compromises and a slight mod to a 10yr. old case.