Dell Precision Workstation & Pulsar 1&2?

[gn]

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>

[King of Snake]

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>

[garyb]

check your private messages...

[katano]

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

[garyb]

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

[Shamk]

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

[garyb]

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.

[happycritter]

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.