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Post by Ardbeg... innit on Apr 23, 2011 6:03:41 GMT -6
... It's going to go 100% failure in 72 hours.
Well, thats how Im interpreting my computer's recent flakiness. Spent most of yesterday afternoon tracking down some erratic behavior with my computer. Careful inspection revealed that there is a swollen capacitor on the mobo.
I have gone to Defcon 1 status on external drive backups (daily), and am praying that the capacitor will hang in there for about 2 more weeks. At that point I will be done with my contract work for the fiscal year, and then I can replace the computer at my leisure rather than in panic mode.
The computer is 4 years old now and its been used hard. A replacement mobo would not make much sense. I am looking at a Xeon workstation replacement. With any luck that computer might just last until retirement.
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Post by Chicago Jake on Apr 23, 2011 8:29:44 GMT -6
I know the feeling. Good luck!
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Post by Merlot Joe on Apr 23, 2011 13:37:09 GMT -6
[quote author=bornagaindruid board=techtalk thread=11645 post=164202 time=1303560221 With any luck that computer might just last until retirement.[/quote]
Yours or the computers ?
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Post by Robin Hood on Apr 24, 2011 1:06:53 GMT -6
I am looking at a Xeon workstation replacement. Don't waste the money on a Xeon... get an i5 or i7. For 99.9% of all applications it would be more than adequate. If you want a quote on a new custom built machine just give me a shout. The biggest thing you want to make sure of is the quality of components that actually go into the build. |
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Post by Ardbeg... innit on Apr 24, 2011 5:11:12 GMT -6
I was doing some research yesterday and came to the same conclusion. I ran across the website www.cpubenchmark.net in my research. Side by side comparisons of common CPU's both for raw power and for cost versus power (easiest way to see the chip you are interested in is to google the chip and the word performance, i.e. google intel i7 2600 performance and the site usually shows up in the top 5 results, what you get is the i7 2600 specs alongside the current top ten sellers). As it turns out the Xeon chips all rate very low in the cost vs power in the PassMark test that the site uses to compare. The aforementioned i7 2600 sits at a real sweet spot in both power and power vs cost and right now is my CPU of choice. HOPEFULLY Intel has its Sandy Bridge production issues all worked out. As long as my current computer can hold out I am willing to wait to hear the all clear on that issue. Also exploring the use of an SSD for my boot drive. I guess that I am old school enough to look in the Xeon's direction everytime a new computer potential comes into my view, which is why I went there in my first post. Edited: I really wish that this computer had another year of life in it. There is a good potential that the aerial photo aspect of my work will transition into the purely digital realm soon. If that happens, the software would require a 3D video card and a monitor capable of 3D display. I would be all 3D all the time if that happens. I have to factor that potential into the purchase of this computer. I wont go with the $2000 video card now, but I need a system that can handle it if I need to upgrade later (including a nuclear reactor to feed the PSU). Given one more year, a lot of the unknowns would be gone. |
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Post by Robin Hood on Apr 24, 2011 10:03:06 GMT -6
I just built this machine for a friend, I know it looks pretty snazzy, but considering what is under the hood it is CRAZY CRAZY fast. Photoshop CS5 loads in about 3 seconds, Lightroom 3 is almost instant all for the low low price of $2200!! |
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Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on Apr 24, 2011 16:29:27 GMT -6
Business isn't too good these days, is it?
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Post by Ardbeg... innit on Apr 24, 2011 17:42:39 GMT -6
That ought to get you up to a 60% warning level
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Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on Apr 24, 2011 19:40:09 GMT -6
I was hoping for 100%.
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Post by Ardbeg... innit on Apr 25, 2011 5:09:39 GMT -6
Patience grasshopper
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Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on Apr 25, 2011 7:32:31 GMT -6
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Post by Ardbeg... innit on Apr 25, 2011 14:25:36 GMT -6
It would be just my luck if my new computer ended up having performance related issues. The fact that they are doing this in Israel... well <insert Yiddish jargon here>
Edited: I wonder if the phrase "Im sorry Dave..." means anything to the researchers.
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Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on Apr 25, 2011 14:57:25 GMT -6
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Post by Ardbeg... innit on May 14, 2011 13:48:35 GMT -6
OK, I think Ive got things pretty well spec'ed out for my new machine
CPU:Core i7-2600K
Video: GeForce GTX 560Ti 2Gb
Boot Drive: OCZ Vertex 3 240Gb SSD
Storage: Seagate Barracuda XT 2Tb (maybe 2 of these)
PSU: Corsair AX 850W (may up it to 1200W)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H70 Hydro
Memory: G.Skill Ripsaw 1866MHz 4x4
OS: Win7 64bit Home Premium
Motherboard: ASUS Sabertooth x58
Optical: Pioneer BDR-206 12x BluRay (maybe 2)
Case: HAF 932 Advanced
bunch of minor stuff like multicard reader, thermal compound, etc. Looks like it should come in between $3,100 and $3,400 judging on prices Ive seen online.
The case was the toughest to spec out. Had to fit in the space in the cabinet yet give the room I wanted. Second choice was an Antec Nine Hundred V3 (on the plus side it has removable washable external filters, nice with the animals around, however, only 1 usb 3 port on the front panel and its a bit on the small side).
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Post by Robin Hood on May 21, 2011 18:45:40 GMT -6
If you are doing graphics go with an ATI card the color rendition is better and they are actually faster cards right now. I would also recommend the larger power supply. The CPU cooler is shit... Get a Zalman end of story. Memory I would go with Corsair and as far as MoBo, Asus is fine, but I think you are spending money you don't need to on that board, the x58 premium would probably be more than adequate.
The OCZ SSD's are INSANELY FAST!! Great choice.
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Post by Ardbeg... innit on May 21, 2011 18:55:36 GMT -6
Thanks for the input. I already decided to go with the larger PSU. The video card is a placeholder for the next 2-3 years. Gaming is not my thing, this computer is pure workhorse. A lot of my aerial photo work will be going from the desk to the desktop you might say. That will require a 3D capable card and monitor. When that transition is made I will probably be getting a video card that costs as much as everything else in the machine above. The goal here is to have a system that can handle that card.
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Post by Ardbeg... innit on May 27, 2011 5:17:01 GMT -6
I was doing my final checks yesterday before committing to the hardware purchase. Good thing I did, I realized that the mobo and memory are incompatible with the i7 2600K processor. The X58 mobo was originally picked for the i7-960 cpu. The i7-2600K is an 1155 socket. SO... getting an ASUS P8Z68-Pro board instead. That little check save about $80 in restocking charges.
Assembly next week.
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Post by innit Geezer on May 27, 2011 7:41:40 GMT -6
Doesn't this thread belong in the Rocket Science section Gordon!
and remember, when building for performance, keep compression ratios in line with todays pump gas.
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Post by Ardbeg... innit on May 27, 2011 8:01:35 GMT -6
The way things have been lately if I tried to move it, it would end up in the Theater section. The only compression ratio I am concerned with is from the high pressure air line.
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Post by innit Geezer on May 27, 2011 10:40:31 GMT -6
I remember from the old days (and maybe tit hasn't changed much) but I'd just add or replace chip-sets as software demands increased.
Dragging those yellow arrows on large file jpegs were usually the culprit (seriously).
Also, some light taps with a hammer on the side of the tower case couldn't hurt. YesterdayI saw guy from Xerox with a hammer at a natural gas service provider.
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Post by Ardbeg... innit on May 27, 2011 16:52:39 GMT -6
I hope that tits havnt changed, they were just fine the way thet were, as far as Im concerned.
OTOH, I dont dare take a hammer to any computer no matter how light the intended tap might be.
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Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on May 27, 2011 20:35:21 GMT -6
I remember from the old days (and maybe tit hasn't changed much) but I'd just add or replace chip-sets as software demands increased.
Dragging those yellow arrows on large file jpegs were usually the culprit (seriously).
Also, some light taps with a hammer on the side of the tower case couldn't hurt. YesterdayI saw guy from Xerox with a hammer at a natural gas service provider. My motto is, "Be thankful for small favors". Tonight's gratitude: I'm thankful for the fact that this post didn't appear in triplicate. |
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Post by innit Geezer on May 28, 2011 19:40:34 GMT -6
I remember from the old days (and maybe tit hasn't changed much) but I'd just add or replace chip-sets as software demands increased.
Dragging those yellow arrows on large file jpegs were usually the culprit (seriously).
Also, some light taps with a hammer on the side of the tower case couldn't hurt. YesterdayI saw guy from Xerox with a hammer at a natural gas service provider. My motto is, "Be thankful for small favors". Tonight's gratitude: I'm thankful for the fact that this post didn't appear in triplicate. :-) ! |
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Post by Ardbeg... innit on Jun 10, 2011 14:27:23 GMT -6
IT LIVES, new computer booted up just fine, Windows is loaded. Next task is to transfer software. LOVE this new EFI BIOS. WOW! Easy to use visually friendly and powerful for tweaking just about every aspect of the system.
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Post by Chicago Jake on Jun 10, 2011 17:46:45 GMT -6
Yes, but it somehow wiped out your avatar!
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Post by Ardbeg... innit on Jun 10, 2011 18:17:42 GMT -6
Thats self-inflicted. I did that myself, cleaning out my photobucket account. Que sera sera
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Post by Ardbeg... innit on Jun 15, 2011 11:38:39 GMT -6
First post using my new computer. The old one gave up playing audio this past week, so Im glad this is built and operational so I can start migrating everything over.
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