Digital Art Zone

Nice thread.

I use an ancient dual Xeon workstation, great buys used, careful owners, excellent spares (the IT guys save everything, and sell). Much better than getting consumer grade, the build quality is solid, and more reliable used.

Architecture, TDP, voltages on the rails, are things I had to learn with mine.

Also if you can look at the HP Z800 (even Z600, Z400). If you found a used one it would keep you happy for a longer time than a consumer unit.

I picked up a 4 core Dell Precision 690 workstation for 300 dollars.  For an additional 30 or so, I can add a memory riser and go to 64gb of ram.

So, you made me look at ebay for the Dell 690!:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-Precision-690-Xeon-HT-3-0GHz-2GB-250GB-DVDRW-512MB-Video-Win-XP-Pro-/160700286184?pt=Desktop_PCs&hash=item256a7bc4e8

Though this one looks like it’s an older dual core with Hyperthreading.  Numbers are in the ball park, though. This venue a possibility if the right machine comes up.

ssgbryan - 06 February 2013 10:21 AM

I picked up a 4 core Dell Precision 690 workstation for 300 dollars.  For an additional 30 or so, I can add a memory riser and go to 64gb of ram.

Can anybody verify that the Dell 690’s will run Windows 7?**  I don’t see why not, but I’d rather be surprised now before I buy one.

Where do you get memory for $30.  Crucial, etc. is charging an arm and a leg ($280-330/8GB) as it’s all ecc and they only seem to have 4GB modules. I found someone who will sell me 8GB for $70.

**It doesn’t look like a Dell Precision 690 will run Windows 7:

http://www.dell.com/support/drivers/us/en/04/Product/precision-690

Consumer573 - 08 February 2013 12:13 PM

ssgbryan - 06 February 2013 10:21 AM

I picked up a 4 core Dell Precision 690 workstation for 300 dollars.  For an additional 30 or so, I can add a memory riser and go to 64gb of ram.

Can anybody verify that the Dell 690’s will run Windows 7?  I don’t see why not, but I’d rather be surprised now before I buy one.

Where do you get memory for $30.  Crucial, etc. is charging an arm and a leg ($280-330/8GB) as it’s all ecc and they only seem to have 4GB modules. I found someone who will sell me 8GB for $70.

And I only see memory in increments of 4GB, so I don’t quite understand how you get 64GB; I get to 32.  Do I need special brackets or fans for cooling?

I’m intrigued.

The more sticks of RAM you have the more cooling you need. Some will come with heat spreaders that go over top the ram to hep dissipate the heat. But a couple quality fans should be fine for 32GB

Looks like a number of 5-6 year old Dell Precisions are coming off lease about now.

A Xeon Quad core processor (4 cores/4 threads) I couldn’t find in the Intel Specs (might have missed it) Reference:

Product description
Description
The Intel Xeon E5345 is a quad core 2.33 GHz computer processor chip that spans four threads and is made for use with an Intel motherboard for personal computers used in a home setting as well as those that are put to work in small to medium sized businesses. This Intel Xeon quad-core processor has a clock speed of 2.33 GHz as well as an L2 cache with a maximum capacity of 8 MB. The Intel Xeon E5345 2.3 GHz processor has a front side BUS speed of 1333 MHz, which translates into a BUS to core ratio of 7. Other features of this Intel Xeon quad-core processor include a VID voltage range of 1000 to 15000 volts, a maximum TDP rating of 80 watts, and a lithography rating of 65 nm. This 2.33 GHz computer processor supports 800 or 1066 DDR 3 memory with a maximum bandwidth of 25.6 GB per second. In addition to Intel visualization technology and enhanced Speed Step processing power, this Intel Xeon quad-core processor supports multiple sockets including LGA 771 and PLGA 771 technology.

Product Identifiers
Brand Intel
Processor Model Xeon E5345
MPN HH80563QJ0538M
UPC 735858199308

Key Features
Clock Speed 2.33 GHz
CPU Socket Type LGA 771/Socket J
Multi-Core Technology Quad-Core
TDP 80 W
Processor Quantity 1
Product Type Processor

Cache Memory
Level 1 Size 64 KB
Installed Size 8 MB
Type Advanced Smart Cache

Expansion / Connectivity
Compatible Slots 1 x processor, 1 x processor - LGA771 Socket

Other Features
Bus Speed FSB Speed - 1333 MHz
Manufacturing Process 65 nm
64-bit Computing Yes
Architecture Features Enhanced SpeedStep technology, Intel Virtualization Technology, Intel 64 Technology, Intel Advanced Smart Cache
Platform Compatibility PC

Miscellaneous
Package Type OEM/tray

Comment: Pain to install windows 7 on Dell T3400?

http://reviews.dell.com/2341n/precision-t3400/dell-precision-t3400-reviews/reviews.htm

Intel®  Xeon® Processor W3550
(8M Cache, 3.06 GHz, 4.80 GT/s Intel® QPI)

Status
Launch Date:  Q3’09
Processor Number:  W3550
# of Cores:  4
# of Threads:  8
Clock Speed:  3.06 GHz
Max Turbo Frequency:  3.33 GHz
Intel® Smart Cache:  8 MB
Bus/Core Ratio:  23
Intel® QPI Speed:  4.8 GT/s
# of QPI Links:  1
Instruction Set:  64-bit
Instruction Set Extensions:  SSE4.2

Embedded Options Available:  No
Lithography:  45 nm
Max TDP:  130 W
VID Voltage Range
0.800V-1.375V
Recommended Customer Price:  TRAY: $294.00,  BOX : $305.00

Memory Specifications:
Max Memory Size (dependent on memory type):  24 GB
Memory Types:  DDR3-800/1066
# of Memory Channels:  3
Max Memory Bandwidth:  25.6 GB/s
Physical Address Extensions:  36-bit
ECC Memory Supported:  Yes
Graphics Specifications: Integrated Graphics:  No
Max CPU Configuration:  1
TCASE
67.9°C
Package Size:  42.5mm x 45.0mm
Processing Die Size:  263 mm2
# of Processing Die Transistors:  731 million
Low Halogen Options Available:  See MDDS
Advanced Technologies
Intel® Turbo Boost Technology
Yes
Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology
Yes
Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x)
Yes
Intel® Trusted Execution Technology
No
AES New Instructions
No
Intel® 64
Yes
Idle States
Yes
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology
Yes
Intel® Demand Based Switching
Yes
Thermal Monitoring Technologies
No
Execute Disable Bit
Yes
Intel® VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT)
Yes

Note: As I see some out of date Xeon processors coming up regularly in Dell Machines now coming off 3 & 5 year leases that are not on Intel’s compare list (First Page this thread) I’m putting specs for a couple of them here for easy reference. If you’re not potentially in the market for a used commercial graphics machine you can just skip these references.

Some additional interesting threads:

(1) RDNA person asks about Poser 8 and XP and wants to know maximum amounts of RAM.

          “Thread: Optimizing Memory with Poser 9 and poser Pro 2012”:

            http://forum.runtimedna.com/showthread.php?65432-Optimizing-Memory-with-Poser-9-and-poser-Pro-2012

      =>Admin Kera points to Windows 32 bit (XP etc)  3Gb Switch location:
          “There is a 3GB switch for 32bit OS ...:  http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/wind…dware/gg487508

(2) RNDA Person asks difference between Poser 9 and Poser pro 2012:

http://forum.runtimedna.com/showthread.php?66611-Poser-9-vs-Pro-2012

Consumer573 - 10 February 2013 12:07 PM

Comment: Pain to install windows 7 on Dell T3400?

http://reviews.dell.com/2341n/precision-t3400/dell-precision-t3400-reviews/reviews.htm

Old drivers on the install disk; I had to do the same for SATA drivers on my last system build.  I just copied the MB drivers to a USB stick and pointed the installer to them, IIRC…

I also use the 3gb switch on a Win XP 32bit setup.

It works okay, but you really need to add extra virtual memory as well (not on your main drive - that means not on another partition of your main drive too), as you will slow the system down. I disabled the virtual memory on the C drive, and use a dedicated drive. A form of flash memory is good for your extra virtual memory. Big scenes can be slow (the system runs as fast as your slowest memory - poor CPU works hard), and as ssgbryan hinted, open up task manager look at performance tab, look at Page File use, load item, check PF, load item check PF, then when you render make sure you still have surplus in your PF, as for each light in the scene, it’s going to cost you in PF memory.

Use all the tricks you can to optimize your system for speed first.

The Xeon, is a star for data transfer (that’s what servers do best) and is good for using in a system with a mass of virtual memory.

Standard Deviation - 14 February 2013 03:10 PM

I also use the 3gb switch on a Win XP 32bit setup.

It works okay, but you really need to add extra virtual memory as well (not on your main drive - that means not on another partition of your main drive too), as you will slow the system down.

Do you have any experience, say hooking up a Thermaltake BlackX duet hard drive dock with a 320 or 500 GB SATA (current price sweet spot) to your usb?  The Thermaltake, or equivalent, is a way of making a standard hard drive seem like a huge gig stick. It’s even supposedly hot swappable.

Example:
http://www.amazon.com/Thermaltake-Drives-Docking-Station-ST0014U/dp/B002MUYOLW

We’ve got one but it’s only a single. Very nice to have

Thanks Frank0314, for answering.

Sorry!, no personal experience of using a Thermaltake BlacX duet, or single. Sounds nice.

I mount internally, because the BIOS / Motherboard will certainly see the additional virtual memory that way.