Considering the Dark Side - Building a High-End PC for Work ... Advice?

[astrostu]

The X79 (C600) chipset of the motherboard has the RAID controller built into it. To actually detect the array the operating system must have the drivers for that integrated controller to speak with it. While single drives work with generic drivers.

The Linux distribution you choose may not have those drivers.

Okay, that's what I thought. I'll just use a virtual Linux box for the time being and can always change the install.

 

[astrostu]

We're onto the bitz and pieces now -- how's this for wireless and two of these for the SSDs?

 

[Eric3]

I've been following this thread closely, as I've been tasked with building a rig for my mom- she's a contractor running arcgis and other tasks, fed up with her present computer. Processing needs and price limitations she has set match yours identically.

I made an account here just so I could post this, thanking all of you for this active thread- you've all been very knowledgeable and enlightening. I've been pretty surprised at the sheer array of options for not just components but RAID configurations.

If you would post a final parts list when you've made up your mind, I would greatly appreciate it- I'll probably follow it pretty closely, after looking into the components a bit more myself.

Thanks again, everyone.

 

[astrostu]

Hi Eric, I've been learning all this as I go over the last week ... I've probably literally spent about 40 hours this past week just learning all this stuff. That said, my needs are not quite your mom's.

GPU: Based on everything I've been able to tell (from my thread on the ArcGIS forum to my less than fruitful conversation with one of their techs), Arc will NOT use the GPU much UNLESS you (your mom) is doing the 3-D analysis stuff. I don't -- I just draw on the maps pretty much, all 2-D. All my 3-D stuff is code I wrote in another software program that also doesn't use the GPU much.

RAM: You don't need to go the way I'm going with RAM. I think most people these days are more than fine with 8GB, and Arc is still 32-bit so can only make use of 4GB RAM. I'm going with 64GB due to other, custom, software.

CPU/Motherboard: With that in mind, your mom may be able to go with the cheaper LGA1155 sockets, so something like the Intel i7-2600K chip and a supporting motherboard. The 1155 socket motherboards are around $100 cheaper for the same features as on a 2011 (other than the quad-channel memory and up to 64GB RAM).

That said, I'm likely going to order today. If you PM me with an e-mail address, I can send you all the information and justification on the parts for the final build I'm doing. With scrimping and limited-time coupons, I'm getting in at about $1950 (without monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers).

 

[velocityg4]

We're onto the bitz and pieces now -- how's this for wireless and two of these for the SSDs?

Those are fine. Although I think those 2.5" to 3.5" adapters hold two SSD drives each. I have one in my rig and it holds both my SSD. Having them in separate housings would be better for cooling them. It wasn't a concern for me as I custom modified a G5 case for ATX parts and paid attention to air flow building a mounting rig for cooling fans that maximizes air flow. So they get blasted with cool air.

 

[Eric3]

Hi Eric, I've been learning all this as I go over the last week ... I've probably literally spent about 40 hours this past week just learning all this stuff. That said, my needs are not quite your mom's.

GPU: Based on everything I've been able to tell (from my thread on the ArcGIS forum to my less than fruitful conversation with one of their techs), Arc will NOT use the GPU much UNLESS you (your mom) is doing the 3-D analysis stuff. I don't -- I just draw on the maps pretty much, all 2-D. All my 3-D stuff is code I wrote in another software program that also doesn't use the GPU much.

RAM: You don't need to go the way I'm going with RAM. I think most people these days are more than fine with 8GB, and Arc is still 32-bit so can only make use of 4GB RAM. I'm going with 64GB due to other, custom, software.

CPU/Motherboard: With that in mind, your mom may be able to go with the cheaper LGA1155 sockets, so something like the Intel i7-2600K chip and a supporting motherboard. The 1155 socket motherboards are around $100 cheaper for the same features as on a 2011 (other than the quad-channel memory and up to 64GB RAM).

That said, I'm likely going to order today. If you PM me with an e-mail address, I can send you all the information and justification on the parts for the final build I'm doing. With scrimping and limited-time coupons, I'm getting in at about $1950 (without monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers).

Thanks a ton for the detailed response. Apparently, she does use arcgis for some 3D applications- in addition, she would like to be able to run ore deposit modelling programs which are 3D, so the GPU is important to her.

Thanks for the heads up on the motherboard and RAM though- 64GB sounded like quite a bit, as she's been getting by with 4GB up until now.

I couldn't PM you as I'm a new forum member and don't have the requisite post count. I'll just check back here from time to time, and even if I don't hear back from you, thank you guys again for all the unintended assistance