Need help evaluating single vs. dual proc Intel PC Workstation configs

Hi all –

Newbie needs help choosing between two workstation configurations – Not a gamer, but hoping someone here knows the hardware side of things well enough to offer some insight into my specific PC needs:

I need a serious Intel based PC workstation – have read enough articles and reviews that my head hurts, so thought I’d post what I think will work here –

I am not a PC tech or guru – I’ve done all my own software and hardware upgrades for 15+ years including assembling a PC from spare parts – this will be my first build with new parts from scratch – so if I’m missing something big or have a huge compatibility issue, holler – thanks!

What I need is apparently not made (yet) – Looking for/need a dual processor Intel board LGA 1366 with 6.0/Gb SATA and USB 3.0 - I’m routinely running 80-100 GB data files (point clouds and huge tiff/jpg files) through a dealer proprietary software – simply put, the more processing horsepower and data transfer bandwidth the better…

The data and processing loads require that I get a new work machine……

So I’ve configured two Intel based workstation possibilities – one is a single i7-980 extreme processor, the second a dual proc with two i7-950 bloomfields

On both machines I’m planning on using a Crucial Real SSD 256GB SATA 3 for OS & Software and a WD VelociRaptor 600GB 10,000 rpm drive as my second SATA 3 connection (for processing and quick transfer/temporary working storage of the data sets) and then another 4x1TB WD Caviar drives for file storage –

Where I really need help is in evaluating the motherboards/processors/and SATA transfer rates –
I know the i7-980 extreme is the hot CPU ticket today – my dual proc option uses two i7-950’s that I could upgrade later (anything LGA 1366 based should work – hopefully?) once the price drops on the 980’s – and the dual 950 processors only cost $200 more than the single 980 today – the LGA 1366 sockets should allow me to upgrade later…

The ($4,000 system) dual processor option is built around a SUPERMICRO MBD-X8DA3-O Dual LGA 1366 Intel 5520 Extended ATX Dual Intel Xeon 5500 series Server Motherboard – better in that it has 12 RAM slots, and can take up to 96GB of ECC ram – but only has SATA 2 transfer (as far as I can tell) – Uses the Quad Core 950 Bloomfields at 3.06 Ghz…..

Dual Processor:

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/ [...] er=9892329

The ($3,500 system) single processor option is built around a GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD7 LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard – this board has both SATA3 and USB 3, but only single processor and apparently no ability to run ECC RAM. Has the i7-980 3.33 GHZ processor (six core)…..

Single Processor:

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/ [...] r=12188191

Also looking for comments/options on the G.Skill Ripjaw series RAM or any of the other components – I tried to look for parts that were favorably reviewed (someone else tried them already and provided feedback) – Think I got most of them right…

I need this machine to last three years – Anyone have any insight into SATA3 Add-on cards? The reviews I read seem to say don’t bother (at all) just yet…

I’m a bit out of my league here on SATA 3 add on cards and what they can and cannot be used for – but this seems to be part of the central issue – is the single i7-980 with a fast SATA3 SSD and a 10,000 rpm SATA 3 drive better than two i7-950 bloomfileds with SATA2 drives?

Which box would you get knowing it needed to last three years and why???

Thanks for your help in advance! – it is appreciated….. I kept the drive configurations the same on both machines – I’d prefer to stay as current with hardware when purchased….

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: two to three weeks (max.)

BUDGET RANGE: $4,000+- After Rebates

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: HEAVY Point cloud processing (up to 20 million 3-D points at one time), 3-D meshing/TINing/modeling/shading, Photoshop, ACAD Revit, ACAD Civil 3-D

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS

Monitor and Video Not Required – will be running a NVIDIA QUADRO 4000 into a pair of 20” ViewSonics (already own the monitors, buying the Quadro from a local source)

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com, buy.com, etc. (no real loyalties)

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA

PARTS PREFERENCES: None really, looking for reliability at a reasonable (does not have to be absolute lowest) cost

OVERCLOCKING: No

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No

MONITOR RESOLUTION: Currently 1280x1024 (dual)
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: went with coolermaster boxes because they’re quiet and well ventilated….