Buying a new computer?

solo

This is a great thread, and if I had the budget currently, I'd be very interested. However, I am thinking I will try a 2U case for the next computer I build and see about getting my render farm set up as a server rack. I already have two boxes for rendering, and my thinking is that I will quickly run out of floor space if keep adding towers...

@hellnbak said:

I'm avoiding solid state drives for now, I want to let that technology cook for a while yet until their reliability is equal to the "old" drives. Can I get the OS installed on a WD 250GB Black drive?

Steve,
If I may suggest, an SSD drive should be used for the OS and software, with a shadow backup of the OS written on a regular drive. SSD is significantly (very noticably) faster than a spinning disk when it comes to running software. Things just load and start instantaneously, whereas now working on a machine with a 7200RPM HDD feels sluggish.

Andy, when you are ready to buy a server rack setup, shop around first and then come to me with the best price you can get and I'll see if I can get a better deal.

solo

@hellnbak said:

I've always built my own computers, but I might be interested in one of these.

A couple questions -

I definitely do not want a mid-size case. I suppose I could just transfer everything to a new case but is a full-size tower an option?

I'm avoiding solid state drives for now, I want to let that technology cook for a while yet until their reliability is equal to the "old" drives. Can I get the OS installed on a WD 250GB Black drive? And I don't need a secondary drive, I buy WD drives when there's a good sale on the one's I like, and I have probably 13 or 14 of them set aside for future needs.

I probably already know the answer to this one, but does the Win 7 come on a disc, not a "recovery disc", but on it's own disc?

And finally, how would I find out what the system I describe would run, ball park?

Steve,

Everything is customisable, so if you want a larger case no problem. I too was weary about solid state drives as I have heard too many horror stories, but as Andy suggests the advantages overide the fear as far as speed goes, and yes you can set up to shadow that drive, I was thinking of a third 1TB drive to do such a thing so if anything ever happened I could just rename that the drive and contine as nothing happened. (at least that is what I believe can be done)

andybot

@solo said:

@andybot said:

This is a great thread, and if I had the budget currently, I'd be very interested. However, I am thinking I will try a 2U case for the next computer I build and see about getting my render farm set up as a server rack. I already have two boxes for rendering, and my thinking is that I will quickly run out of floor space if keep adding towers...

Andy, when you are ready to buy a server rack setup, shop around first and then come to me with the best price you can get and I'll see if I can get a better deal.

Thanks Pete. When I do get serious about it, I'll start another thread and would love to hear more.

andybot

@solo said:

I too was weary about solid state drives as I have heard too many horror stories, but as Andy suggests the advantages overide the fear as far as speed goes, and yes you can set up to shadow that drive, I was thinking of a third 1TB drive to do such a thing so if anything ever happened I could just rename that the drive and contine as nothing happened. (at least that is what I believe can be done)

For backup - the simplest thing is to use the native drive/ system settings backup that comes with Win7 and you can simply restore that copy to a new SSD fairly quickly. It's also a very good idea to have a clean OS backup in case of any computer viruses.

solo

Okay, so what's the deal you ask.

I have a page setup with the company who will be building the systems, there are 4 options as setup, these are just 4 different build ideas and you can change them as you require.

I am going for the second option.

http://www.jncs.com/php2/thea.php

@unknownuser said:

**$2,605

JNCS Model TS1000-128-680**

Chassis
Antec 302 Chassis

Power Supply
Cooler Master Silent Pro 850W Power Supply

Motherboard
Intel Extreme DX79SR Desktop Motherboard

CPU
Intel Core i7-3930K

Sink & Cooler
Gelid Tranquillo CC-TranQ-01-A 120mm CPU Cooler Rev 2

Memory
Corsair (4 x 8GB) SDRAM - 1866 MHz

SSD
Samsung 840 Pro Series MZ-7pD1228BW 2.5" 128GB SSD

Data Drive
Western Digital Caviar Black 2GB WD2002FAEX 64mb Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s

Video
EVGA Model 04G-P4-2686-KR GeForce GTX 680 Graphics Card = 1019 Mhz Core - 4GB GDDR5 - PCI-E 3.0 x16

DVD-RW
LG, Reads DVD, CD Writes DVD, CD

O/S
Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64bit

Warranty
1 Year

Attached I include the prices from other builders I have used in the past to compare the deal we are getting.

AVA prices.jpg

Cyberpower price.JPG

solo

So as you can see we save an average of $400 on a top end rig.

hellnbak

I know that SSD's are incredibly fast compared to normal drives, but I was concerned about reliability. This was based on research I did a while back, but after doing more research this morning I find that their reliability is now comparable, and the Samsung Pro 840 series has received very high marks. So, yes, I would go with a small SSD for my C drive.

As far as the full-size tower I want, I assume I could choose from a selection they have available. I don't need or want anything fancy, no neon lights or racing stripes, just something solid and well laid out, where everything is easily serviceable. It could be painted puke green for all I care, nobody's gonna see it but me. So how do I see what they have to choose from?

But as far as prices for this (very nice) rig, I can't seem to find anything in this thread that really nails it down. I know it will vary according to individual setups, but what do I need to do to get a price for the setup I want?

solo

@hellnbak said:

I know that SSD's are incredibly fast compared to normal drives, but I was concerned about reliability. This was based on research I did a while back, but after doing more research this morning I find that their reliability is now comparable, and the Samsung Pro 840 series has received very high marks. So, yes, I would go with a small SSD for my C drive.

As far as the full-size tower I want, I assume I could choose from a selection they have available. I don't need or want anything fancy, no neon lights or racing stripes, just something solid and well laid out, where everything is easily serviceable. It could be painted puke green for all I care, nobody's gonna see it but me. So how do I see what they have to choose from?

But as far as prices for this (very nice) rig, I can't seem to find anything in this thread that really nails it down. I know it will vary according to individual setups, but what do I need to do to get a price for the setup I want?

I agree on the simple case, I purposely chose a plain case with no silly lights and sliding covers, it's not how it looks, it's how it performs.

The price is in the link above, $2600 for this beast (cheaper option also available if you want a different GPU)

hellnbak

While I was composing my last post you have posted more info on prices, so that answers my last question. Thanks.

solo

Okay, it's ready to go.

If you want to modify anything then email Adam Pierce apierce@jncs.com

And remember to mention either Solo or Pete Stoppel in correspondence for him to include you in the discounted deal.

Dave R

Are the prices they show the discounted ones?

solo

Yes, I have a comparison from competive builders above, these are great prices.

maxhouserocks

OOPS! is ee it. Thanks.

~~Pete, did you post a link yet for us to be able to go in and start looking at configurations and use the"solo" code?

sorry if i missed something and you already addressed this.

bob~~

solo

Could any or everyone that purchases one let me know here or by private message so I can get some sort of idea how this promotion is going? thanks.

Dave R

Will do. I expect I'll place my order tonight or tomorrow. Can't decide between the 128GB and 256GB SSD.

maxhouserocks

pete, my company is still deciding between this and an OriginPC spec. I hope to take advantage of this. Did you say how long the promotion will last?

solo

@maxhouserocks said:

pete, my company is still deciding between this and an OriginPC spec. I hope to take advantage of this. Did you say how long the promotion will last?

No problem, if you want to PM me the specs from Origin and the price I will set out to beat it with exact machine.

I cannot say for sure how long this deal will last, have not discussed duration, I know for sure it will be the next two weeks at the very least.

Dave R

Pete, did you already order your machine? I just ordered one. I also spoke with Adam on the phone. Nice guy.

solo

Not yet, I'm awaiting a few payments from work I have completed, hopefully it will be this week. I'm excited about it though.

andybot

@solo said:

Not yet, I'm awaiting a few payments from work I have completed, hopefully it will be this week.

Lol, I feel ya: "check's in the mail"
Beginning of the year always seems slower to get payments. Everyone's so darn prompt in December...