I'm saving for a high end work station, should I build or buy?

boogalooelectric · Sep 20, 2013

Hello,

Over the next few years I plan to save up for a high end work station.

Something along the lines of:

Dual Xeon's
64 gb minimum of ram
SSD RAID 0 config
Dual Nvidia Quaddro's
etc.

This will be for working in applications like Poser Pro 2014, CS6, 3ds May, Zbrush, Luxrender, DAZ, Vue, etc. etc.

I typically build my own systems, the primary reason for this is its just cheaper to do so. However I am looking at current pricing (I know things may be different in a couple of years, but I wanted to get a feel for current amounts) on components compared to complete systems from outfits like Puget, Falcon, Cyberpower, etc. And it looks like they may actually be cheaper than doing a home build

No on to the point.

What would you experts do in this situation? Build or buy? I have plenty of time to decide.

If you buy, what brand would you suggest?

Or if you build, what platform is better? Are the Xeon's the way to go or are the Opterons better?

maddogfargo · Sep 20, 2013

Depends on what is important to you.

If you build you can save a some money and spec out the exact parts you want. You can also upgrade more easily over time if you want. But you will have only the manufacturer's warranty on the parts. And if you break it...you've bought it.

If you buy, you will spend more. You will also likely have to settle for a pre-configured package that may or may not have the exact parts you want, and with limited upgrade options in the future. However, it will come pre-assembled and usually have a better and longer warranty backing both parts and labor.

USAFRet · Sep 20, 2013

I would build. You know exactly what went into it and how it is put together.

But 2+ years is a looooong lead time.

boogalooelectric · Sep 20, 2013

USAFRet :

I have to take my time on it, or the wife would give me grief. During initial discussions she told me she was on board as long as I do as I said and saved up money and not jack up the $$$ on the credit cards.

USAFRet · Sep 20, 2013

boogalooelectric :

Taking time to build up the money is no problem. We're all in the same boat...

Predicting what components and technologies will be good, and for the right price, 2+ years from now is problematic.

For instance....you postulate RAID 0 SSDs. Today, I would not recommend that. No real benefit. 2 or 3 years from now? Who knows?

boogalooelectric · Sep 20, 2013

USAFRet :

boogalooelectric :

Taking time to build up the money is no problem. We're all in the same boat...

Predicting what components and technologies will be good, and for the right price, 2+ years from now is problematic.

For instance....you postulate RAID 0 SSDs. Today, I would not recommend that. No real benefit. 2 or 3 years from now? Who knows?

See? That is what I was looking for, that's the kind of thing I need to know.

Is it because SSD's are already fast enough and a RAID 0 would just be a waste of money?

USAFRet · Sep 20, 2013

boogalooelectric :

Exactly. They are already blindingly fast.
SSD's shine at opening and manipulating small, random read writes. Typical of boot, and opening applications, and regular files.

Moving multi-GB files between two SSD RAID arrays would probably benefit, but that is a use case way out on the edge, and not budget friendly.

Read here for a Toms HW test of RAID 0 SSD's:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ssd-raid-benchmark,3485.html

Bottom line - "Great for benchmarks, Not so much in the real world"

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