Need a new machine folks.

the_tyrant · 03-13-13, 11:28 AM

How much are they going for?

The machines seem a bit old, but they were top notch when they came out.

If they are more than 400$, I would suggest building a new one. Since the main issue with those machines are, the Xeon 51** line guzzles power! They are also not really "run silent" either, which might cause issues.

bertieck476 · 03-13-13, 11:57 AM

Hi tyrant,
thanks for the reply, the whole system is £250.00 UK pounds (383 Can $). I did wonder about the power usage as they have a 750w psu and the noise may be an issue, although I could probably see one working in store.

Bert

Herr-Berbunch · 03-13-13, 12:02 PM

It'll only run at 750W (and thus noisy fans) when it needs to, and I don't think that'll ever need to.

geetrue · 03-13-13, 12:23 PM

If this is a disguise for an ad it's okay with me, but this does seem like a good deal at the same time.

not enough ram of course ... I just went from 8gb to 16gb with the difference so noticeable I will never go back to less ram

in fact the Win 7 64 bit home premium only sees up to 16gb
you have to ge the win 7 64 bit pro to go up to 32gb of ram

the twin ati cards sound really nice as does the sound card ...

I just read over at tom's hardware an article about work station server video cards being the same as high end gamer graphics cards with the only exception being in the drivers, odd but true.

good luck with your build

is free shipping included (not that I could afford it lol)

bertieck476 · 03-13-13, 12:49 PM

@Herr-Berbunch,I take on board what you mean about the load and noise, I wont be stressing this machine at all and Im not a real avid gamer,I just wanted something that could cope if or when I fancied playing some of the newer titles, Im pretty sure it will handle anything sh3 modded up will need, it also seems cheap to me which ofcourse is the main reason I like the sound of it.

@geetrue, I can assure you this is not an advert, its just something I found on this companies website and they happen to be 5 miles from where I live so I can go and have a look, I thought the twin part of the gfx info was referring to the output for two monitors? and because these are ex servers I thought the gfx card might not be upto much, maybe I'd try it before replacing it and spend the money on more ram.
This machine comes with vista business if its 64bit I think it supports 128gb ram, not that Id ever be putting that amount in it but ram is relatively cheap so I could envisage upping it from the 4gb it comes with.
Edit, I had a look at carriage, its £20 for whole systems in uk.

Bert

bertieck476 · 03-14-13, 01:12 PM

I popped in and had a look at this machine mainly to see how noisey it may be, but tbh its not to bad, you can hear the fans but not really any louder than my old desktop and it will be in my office space so I dont think it will be a problem.

They clicked through a few things while I was there and I noticed that at the moment its loaded with 32 bit vista but it will come with 64bit business edition but its WEI is 5.8 which I thought was pretty good, maybe I wouldnt need to change the gfx card afterall??

One thing that Im not sure about is the monitor that comes with it is a 19" tft with normal aspect ratio 4:3, now I can have this machine as just the base unit or have it with the monitor but Im not sure wether Id be better off getting a 16:9 monitor instead, what are the pros and cons of either as far as gaming is concerned. How would the different aspect ratio effect something like sh3??

Thanks in advance Bert.

the_tyrant · 03-14-13, 08:47 PM

You might as well stick with the 4:3 for now, I actually think its a better aspect ratio for office work than 16:9. Especially since tasks like web browsing needs more vertical space and horizontal space.

When you feel like getting a better monitor, get an IPS monitor, sure its more expensive than a TN one, but the difference is MINDBLOWING! I am personally waiting for an IPS monitor with an active digitizer to be my next monitor.

PS: try using your TV as a monitor, and game with an xbox 360 gamepad. I tried that for a long time, and I enjoyed the experience.

bertieck476 · 03-15-13, 02:43 PM

I have ordered it and I can pick it up next week, looking forward to it

Thanks Bert.

bertieck476 · 03-22-13, 04:46 PM

Well I got this machine and tbh Im very pleased with it, loads sh3 with gwx plus mods in a flash and handles the graphics really well so far. The monitor turns out to be a very nice 19 inch dell 5:4 (1280x1024) lcd which is perfect for work and browsing and is actually very good for sh3 as well

I know its dated technology but its so powerful compared to anything else I have run and didnt hurt the pocket too much either.

Burt.

03-13-13, 11:28 AM	#1
the_tyrant Admiral Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 2,272 Downloads: 58 Uploads: 0	How much are they going for? The machines seem a bit old, but they were top notch when they came out. If they are more than 400$, I would suggest building a new one. Since the main issue with those machines are, the Xeon 51** line guzzles power! They are also not really "run silent" either, which might cause issues. __________________ My own open source project on Sourceforge OTP.net KGB grade encryption for the rest of us

03-13-13, 12:02 PM	#3
Herr-Berbunch Kaiser Bill's batman Join Date: May 2010 Location: AN72 Posts: 13,203 Downloads: 76 Uploads: 0	It'll only run at 750W (and thus noisy fans) when it needs to, and I don't think that'll ever need to. __________________

03-13-13, 12:23 PM	#4
geetrue Cold War Boomer Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Walla Walla Posts: 2,837 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	If this is a disguise for an ad it's okay with me, but this does seem like a good deal at the same time. not enough ram of course ... I just went from 8gb to 16gb with the difference so noticeable I will never go back to less ram in fact the Win 7 64 bit home premium only sees up to 16gb you have to ge the win 7 64 bit pro to go up to 32gb of ram the twin ati cards sound really nice as does the sound card ... I just read over at tom's hardware an article about work station server video cards being the same as high end gamer graphics cards with the only exception being in the drivers, odd but true. good luck with your build is free shipping included (not that I could afford it lol) __________________

03-14-13, 01:12 PM	#6
bertieck476 Chief Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 327 Downloads: 33 Uploads: 0	I popped in and had a look at this machine mainly to see how noisey it may be, but tbh its not to bad, you can hear the fans but not really any louder than my old desktop and it will be in my office space so I dont think it will be a problem. They clicked through a few things while I was there and I noticed that at the moment its loaded with 32 bit vista but it will come with 64bit business edition but its WEI is 5.8 which I thought was pretty good, maybe I wouldnt need to change the gfx card afterall?? One thing that Im not sure about is the monitor that comes with it is a 19" tft with normal aspect ratio 4:3, now I can have this machine as just the base unit or have it with the monitor but Im not sure wether Id be better off getting a 16:9 monitor instead, what are the pros and cons of either as far as gaming is concerned. How would the different aspect ratio effect something like sh3?? Thanks in advance Bert. Last edited by bertieck476; 03-14-13 at 03:01 PM.

03-14-13, 08:47 PM	#7
the_tyrant Admiral Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 2,272 Downloads: 58 Uploads: 0	You might as well stick with the 4:3 for now, I actually think its a better aspect ratio for office work than 16:9. Especially since tasks like web browsing needs more vertical space and horizontal space. When you feel like getting a better monitor, get an IPS monitor, sure its more expensive than a TN one, but the difference is MINDBLOWING! I am personally waiting for an IPS monitor with an active digitizer to be my next monitor. PS: try using your TV as a monitor, and game with an xbox 360 gamepad. I tried that for a long time, and I enjoyed the experience. __________________ My own open source project on Sourceforge OTP.net KGB grade encryption for the rest of us

03-13-13, 11:57 AM	#2
bertieck476 Chief Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 327 Downloads: 33 Uploads: 0	Hi tyrant, thanks for the reply, the whole system is £250.00 UK pounds (383 Can $). I did wonder about the power usage as they have a 750w psu and the noise may be an issue, although I could probably see one working in store. Bert

03-13-13, 12:49 PM	#5
bertieck476 Chief Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 327 Downloads: 33 Uploads: 0	@Herr-Berbunch,I take on board what you mean about the load and noise, I wont be stressing this machine at all and Im not a real avid gamer,I just wanted something that could cope if or when I fancied playing some of the newer titles, Im pretty sure it will handle anything sh3 modded up will need, it also seems cheap to me which ofcourse is the main reason I like the sound of it. @geetrue, I can assure you this is not an advert, its just something I found on this companies website and they happen to be 5 miles from where I live so I can go and have a look, I thought the twin part of the gfx info was referring to the output for two monitors? and because these are ex servers I thought the gfx card might not be upto much, maybe I'd try it before replacing it and spend the money on more ram. This machine comes with vista business if its 64bit I think it supports 128gb ram, not that Id ever be putting that amount in it but ram is relatively cheap so I could envisage upping it from the 4gb it comes with. Edit, I had a look at carriage, its £20 for whole systems in uk. Bert

03-15-13, 02:43 PM	#8
bertieck476 Chief Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 327 Downloads: 33 Uploads: 0	I have ordered it and I can pick it up next week, looking forward to it Thanks Bert.

03-22-13, 04:46 PM	#9
bertieck476 Chief Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 327 Downloads: 33 Uploads: 0	Well I got this machine and tbh Im very pleased with it, loads sh3 with gwx plus mods in a flash and handles the graphics really well so far. The monitor turns out to be a very nice 19 inch dell 5:4 (1280x1024) lcd which is perfect for work and browsing and is actually very good for sh3 as well I know its dated technology but its so powerful compared to anything else I have run and didnt hurt the pocket too much either. Burt.