85% "Skulltrail" for $2550

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stefanbanev

2.83Ghz / 8-core "Skulltrail" with 8800GTX 768MB/4GB/RAID0 for $2550.

I've built 7 machines around X7DAL motherboard and it is a close match
to "Skulltrail" wanders for the fraction of its price. You can not go
SLI with this setup but having single 8800GTX 768MB and 8-core 2.83Ghz/
1333 Penryns provides around ~85% of performance of 3.2Ghz/1600FSB
"Skulltrail". Only a good quality components and respectful e-store
ewiz/newegg are selected so price can be pushed down ~$100 for more
risky arrangement.

$1400 = $700 x 2 Intel Xeon Quad-Core E5440 2.83GHz
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?p=XE...97b0389e6ca8e787ef64a0be860eca41423f062cec527

$172 = $43 x 4 - 4GB RAM STT D2-667 1GB/64x8 ECC Hynix Chip FB-DIMM
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=T667FB1G_H

$360 - GeForce 8800GTX 768MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130072

$286 (+$3) MB SuperMicro X7DAL-E (OpenBox)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813182101R
Note: OpenBox is an OEM barebone board without accessories. The
"SKT-0159L" CPU retention has to be bought separately for installation
of X7DAL in ATX case + $3.

$94 - COOLER MASTER Real Power Pro RS-650-ACAA-A1 SSI Standard EPS 12V
V2.91 650W
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?p=PS...97b0389e6ca8e787ef64a0be860eca41423f062cec527

$140 = $70 x 2 Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM
16MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148262
Intel Raid0 provides sustainable ~150mb/s speed with these disks

$30 - DVD Burner (dual layer burner SAMSUNG SH-S203B - OEM)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151153

$50 ENERMAX Chakra ECA3052BL Blue/ Black SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer
Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811124115

$18 = $9 X 2 Scythe SY1225SL12H 120mm Case Fan - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185059
Front and back 120mm case fans are recommended if 8800GTX 768MB video
card are installed.
------------------------
Total: $2550

Some tips:
1) Only DIMMs "A" have to be populated.
2) Use Intel RAID in BIOS (floppy drive will be necessary to execute
F6 procedure during Windows-XP installation)
3) Make sure that BIOS is ver 2.0a
4) Make sure that side fan is set to suck air in and front/back 120mm
fan is installed for out.
5) www.ewiz.com prices are slightly lower if enter there through
Google/shopping; this was used for ewiz items.

--sb
 
2.83Ghz / 8-core "Skulltrail" with 8800GTX 768MB/4GB/RAID0 for $2550.

I've built 7 machines around X7DAL motherboard and it is a close match
to "Skulltrail" wanders for the fraction of its price. You can not go
SLI with this setup but having single 8800GTX 768MB and 8-core 2.83Ghz/
1333 Penryns provides around ~85% of performance of 3.2Ghz/1600FSB
"Skulltrail". Only a good quality components
Click to expand...

(snip)

A Cooler Master power supply is good? Good for destroying ~three grand
worth of hardware, maybe.

and respectful e-store
ewiz/newegg are selected so price can be pushed down ~$100 for more
risky arrangement.

$1400 = $700 x 2 Intel Xeon Quad-Core E5440 2.83GHz
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?p=XE...97b0389e6ca8e787ef64a0be860eca41423f062cec527
Click to expand...

Xeons are real dogs. You'd need 8 cores to make one useful. Too bad the OS
won't use more than one of them... if you are going to use this rig for
gaming, that is. You want to spend how much for seven wasted cores on a
crippled utility use processor? Bwahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!
$172 = $43 x 4 - 4GB RAM STT D2-667 1GB/64x8 ECC Hynix Chip FB-DIMM
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=T667FB1G_H
Click to expand...

Good choice for RAM. But why four of them? Even Vista will only use 1.5GB
of RAM, and more RAM beyond that does not improve performance a bit. Unless
you have a specific application in mind that can USE more RAM. But if you
did, you wouldn't be building this rig to run it, that's for damned sure.
$360 - GeForce 8800GTX 768MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130072
Click to expand...

Overkill maybe, but at least it's nvidia.
$286 (+$3) MB SuperMicro X7DAL-E (OpenBox)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813182101R
Note: OpenBox is an OEM barebone board without accessories. The
"SKT-0159L" CPU retention has to be bought separately for installation
of X7DAL in ATX case + $3.
Click to expand...

SuperMicro? Sheesh, why not just go pcchips then. I thought you said good
components.
$94 - COOLER MASTER Real Power Pro RS-650-ACAA-A1 SSI Standard EPS 12V
V2.91 650W
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?p=PS...97b0389e6ca8e787ef64a0be860eca41423f062cec527
Click to expand...

I wouldn't use cooler master as a doorstop, let alone something to base a
high-end rig like this on. My suggestion, buy a real microprocessor (ditch
the ultra-expensive Xeons, spend about 25% max of what you've budgeted for
CPU), then up your budget for power supply by another hundred or so, so you
can afford something that won't die and destroy all your other hardware,
WHEN it does.
$140 = $70 x 2 Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM
16MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148262
Intel Raid0 provides sustainable ~150mb/s speed with these disks
Click to expand...

Amazingly, you made a good choice here. I'd probably go with three of them,
though. Use the third one for automatic, periodic, redundant backups.
You've doubled your chances of catastrophic disk failure (and resulting data
loss) with raid0.
$30 - DVD Burner (dual layer burner SAMSUNG SH-S203B - OEM)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151153

$50 ENERMAX Chakra ECA3052BL Blue/ Black SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer
Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811124115
Click to expand...

Now that's ironic. You get the ultra-cheapie garbage power supply, then buy
an ENERMAX branded case. I think you got that backward, dude. If cooler
master makes cases, go with a cooler master case and an Enermax power
supply.
$18 = $9 X 2 Scythe SY1225SL12H 120mm Case Fan - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185059
Front and back 120mm case fans are recommended if 8800GTX 768MB video
card are installed.
Click to expand...

Well that would be a good idea, anyway.


What a waste. Even for a high-end gamer, you should be able to spend a lot
less than that.
Some tips:
Click to expand...

1) Be suspicious of anybody calling cooler master and supermicro crap
"good" quality components. -Dave
 
(snip)

A Cooler Master power supply is good? Good for destroying ~three grand
worth of hardware, maybe.



Xeons are real dogs. You'd need 8 cores to make one useful. Too bad the OS
won't use more than one of them... if you are going to use this rig for
gaming, that is. You want to spend how much for seven wasted cores on a
crippled utility use processor? Bwahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!


Good choice for RAM. But why four of them? Even Vista will only use 1.5GB
of RAM, and more RAM beyond that does not improve performance a bit. Unless
you have a specific application in mind that can USE more RAM. But if you
did, you wouldn't be building this rig to run it, that's for damned sure.


Overkill maybe, but at least it's nvidia.


SuperMicro? Sheesh, why not just go pcchips then. I thought you said good
components.


I wouldn't use cooler master as a doorstop, let alone something to base a
high-end rig like this on. My suggestion, buy a real microprocessor (ditch
the ultra-expensive Xeons, spend about 25% max of what you've budgeted for
CPU), then up your budget for power supply by another hundred or so, so you
can afford something that won't die and destroy all your other hardware,
WHEN it does.


Amazingly, you made a good choice here. I'd probably go with three of them,
though. Use the third one for automatic, periodic, redundant backups.
You've doubled your chances of catastrophic disk failure (and resulting data
loss) with raid0.





Now that's ironic. You get the ultra-cheapie garbage power supply, then buy
an ENERMAX branded case. I think you got that backward, dude. If cooler
master makes cases, go with a cooler master case and an Enermax power
supply.


Well that would be a good idea, anyway.

What a waste. Even for a high-end gamer, you should be able to spend a lot
less than that.




1) Be suspicious of anybody calling cooler master and supermicro crap
"good" quality components. -Dave
Click to expand...


..>A Cooler Master power supply is good?
..>Good for destroying ~three grand
..>worth of hardware, maybe.

Apparently your experience is based on low-end Cooler Master PS;
indeed it is crap down there.
RS-650-ACAA-A1 provides exceptionally stable voltage for dual Xeons
setup.
Too bad the OS won't use more than
one of them...
Click to expand...

Quite interesting claim; you do not have an idea what you are talking
about, do you?
Unless you still stuck with MS-DOS or Windows-98 ;o) All modern OS
distribute multithreaded applications through all available cores and
they do it very efficiently. It is true that majority of game are not
heavily multithreaded so they will not benefit from extra available
cores. However many professional applications especially ray-tracing
applications are massively multithreaded and scalability is just
perfect. Apparently, next generation of PC games will utilize multi-
core resources more extensively.
But why four of them?
Click to expand...

To get maximum memory performance on 5000X Intel chipset you need to
populate 4 channels.
Even Vista will only use 1.5GB
Click to expand...

64 bit version OS may utilize all physical memory; the limits are very
far from what you may put in computer. Again, application should
utilize memory; if application does not need all memory then it would
be waste. Almost all professional application will utilize all memory
to increase performance.
of RAM, and more RAM beyond that does not improve performance a bit.
Click to expand...

Again, it depends on application; for PC games it is generally true;
it is also true for Internet browsing, word processing, emails... ;o)
SuperMicro? Sheesh, why not just go pcchips then. I thought you said good
Click to expand...
components.

SuperMicro server boards are the best server boards period. I've dealt
with all server board makers and SuperMicro server boards exhibits the
lowest failure rate.
You've doubled your chances of catastrophic disk failure
(and resulting data loss) with raid0
Click to expand...

It is correct; but I would not trust any HD arrangements anyway and
backup is an essential to ensure safety of your data. Fast HD setup
increases performance and may negate the increase of risk of HD
failure; in my experience RAID0 with best HD, good PS, good thermals
and Work-Station HD load is quite reliable; I would not however
recommend RAID0 for data base server load.
Now that's ironic. You get the ultra-cheapie garbage power supply,
then buy an ENERMAX branded case. I think you got that backward,
dude. If cooler master makes cases, go with a cooler master case
and an Enermax power supply.
Click to expand...

ENERMAX Chakra ECA3052BL has 250mm side intake fan and in combination
with two 120mm back/front fans provides exceptionally good airflow. In
fact temperature of both E5440 CPU with stock heartsick stays below 35
(room 23) even for very intensive and long CPUs load.
What a waste. Even for a high-end gamer, you should
be able to spend a lot less than that.
Click to expand...

It is correct for Gamer machine. It is not correct for workstation.

--sb
 
..> How much does a real Workstation machine cost, then, compared to
this?

In DELL e-store the price of similar configuration is $5,827
http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=04&kc=6W300&l=en&oc=bwcwhtz&s=bsd

Apple's price for the similar configuration is substantially lower
then dell and apple quality is better; still way more expensive then
own build. The chances to get broken components is lower then in
commodity PC domain; I've built 10 of such WS with no even single
failure. Btw, now the price of origin post configuration is down to ~
$2300
 
..> $286 (+$3) MB SuperMicro X7DAL-E
..>(OpenBox)http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?
Item=N82E16813182101R
..> Note: OpenBox is an OEM barebone board without accessories. The
..> "SKT-0159L" CPU retention has to be bought separately for
installation
..> of X7DAL in ATX case + $3.

A new dual socket-771 motherboard from SuperMicro in MicroATX form
factor is a better choice for WS configuration posted above. The Power
Supply for X7DCA-L does not require additional 4pin CPU connector
(8+4pin is an original conf requirement) but just 8-pin so. any EPS12V
Power Supply 550w+/(20A12V12) is compatible. Plus, small form factor
opens prospect to build very small & light 8-core WS.

~Ultimate ray-tracer machine built around X7DCA-L (Intel 5100 MCH
chipset) + 2 x E5440 + 4GB RAM may be built for under $2k. The margin
Dell/HP is getting from this WS domain is so high that it is more then
twice cheaper to build then to buy from them. Taking into
consideration that the high-end component from OEM server market is
very reliable comparatively to commodity PC market, it makes custom
built system a feasible option for many who used to buy WS from major
providers since the support benefits does not may look negating the
ridiculously overpriced WS.

--sb
 
.> $286 (+$3) MB SuperMicro X7DAL-E
.>(OpenBox)http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?
Item=N82E16813182101R
.> Note: OpenBox is an OEM barebone board without accessories. The
.> "SKT-0159L" CPU retention has to be bought separately for
installation
.> of X7DAL in ATX case + $3.

A new dual socket-771 motherboard from SuperMicro in MicroATX form
factor is a better choice for WS configuration posted above. The Power
Supply for X7DCA-L does not require additional 4pin CPU connector
(8+4pin is an original conf requirement) but just 8-pin so. any EPS12V
Power Supply 550w+/(20A12V12) is compatible. Plus, small form factor
opens prospect to build very small & light 8-core WS.

~Ultimate ray-tracer machine built around X7DCA-L (Intel 5100 MCH
chipset) + 2 xE5440+ 4GB RAM may be built for under $2k. The margin
Dell/HP is getting from this WS domain is so high that it is more then
twice cheaper to build then to buy from them. Taking into
consideration that the high-end component from OEM server market is
very reliable comparatively to commodity PC market, it makes custom
built system a feasible option for many who used to buy WS from major
providers since the support benefits does not may look negating the
ridiculously overpriced WS.

--sb
Click to expand...

In case if someone is looking to build a compact and powerful 8-core
ray tracing machine, the example below may be helpful.

Compact WS around X7DCA-L –
- Dual X5450 (8-cores / 3GHz 45nm Penryn ) or Dual X5440
- 12GB RAM

Components:

CPU (2 options)
• $1724 = 2 x $862 = Dual Intel Xeon Quad-Core X5450 3GHz 1333MHz
771pin 12MB CPU
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?p=XE...895cfa86107caefce877857b3760bd7a910e98fe7a214
• $1352 = 2 x $676 = Dual Intel Xeon Quad-Core E5440 2.83GHz 1333MHz
771pin 12MB CPU
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?p=XE...895cfa86107caefce877857b3760bd7a910e98fe7a214

$279 Motherboard X7DCA-L
http://www.atacom.com/program/ataco...ORDS=X7DCA-L-O&Disp_item2.x=11&Disp_item2.y=5
Note: I’ve purchased one of X7DCA-L boards from this store however I
do not know this store well to recommend, in my case it was totally
fine.

Memory 12GB 6 x KVR667D2D8P5/2G
$336 = $56 x 6 (6 x 2GB=12GB)
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?p=D2...895cfa86107caefce877857b3760bd7a910e98fe7a214
Note: X7DCA-L is built around 5100 chipset and it uses DDR2 ECC/REG
memory (not FBDIMM)

$106 = $53 x 2 = Hard Disks 500GB RAID-0
2 x Seagate ST3250410AS 250GB SATA2 7200rpm 16MB NCQ Hard Drive
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?p=HD...895cfa86107caefce877857b3760bd7a910e98fe7a214
Computer Case (2 options):
• $99 “Troublesome” Small Size case (fits in carry on bag): If small
size of WS does matter then I would recommend SILVERSTONE SG03-S
however usage of this case will require some “metal work” to fit X7DCA-
L in. $99 SILVERSTONE SG03-S Silver Aluminum MicroATX Computer case.
This case is only for handy person. This case has only single 120mm
fan and one more 120mm fan would be recommended in case of X5450 CPUs.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163082
OR
• $39 trouble free normal size case: $39 ENERMAX Chakra ECA3052B Black
ATX Mid Tower. One or couple more 120mm case fans would be recommended
if X5450 CPUs are installed and/or “video heater” card like
8800/9900GTX. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811124114
$65 Power Supply: RD550N-2SB-SL-BK ATX V2.2/SSI, EPS 12V 550W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182151 Note:
Any EPS12V PSU 500W+ (24+8pin (4-pin is unnecessary)) should work fine
with listed configuration. If you are going to use power hungry video
card or/and battery of hard-disks then you need more powerful PSU and
normal size case.

$53 Video Card GeForce 8600GT. Note: The ray-tracing I run on this
machine has no use for GPU so any video card with decent 2D output was
fine with me. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814145146

$27 DVD Burner: Sony NEC Optiarc AD-7200S-0B. Note: X7DCA-L does not
support IDE connectors only SATA devices.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118012

Total: $2257 (normal case and dual E5440)
$2689 (small case and dual X5450)

- Floppy drive may be required to install RAID-0 drivers (“F6” Windows
cumbersome procedure).

- The speed difference between X5450/E5440 is around 1.06 times (6%).

By the way, E5440 is around as fast as X5365 (65nm 3GHz 8-core) for
CPU intensive tasks and for memory intensive tasks E5440 is 20% faster
then X5365.

All X5450 CPU I’ve installed (12) exhibit strange/inconsistent
temperature readings however it has never gone above 48C (room <24C).
I did not see this behavior with E models (E5440 or E5450).

I’ve built two such machines in compact SILVERSTONE SG03-S case with
couple X5450 and 12GB RAM. There is some issue with back USB
(WindowsXP-64) but USB on MB works fine (probably chipset 5100 bug
since this strange behavior has been observed on both : X7DCA-L
machines).

Have fan.
Stefan
 
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