OpenGL Workstation Power - Graphics Cards for the Professional User

A Comparison Of OpenGL Systems

When choosing hardware, the customer is normally only interested in the total price for a workstation. We've totted up the costs for your standard full system set-up. Dell was our choice here since this PC manufacturer carries all the graphics cards we tested. These days a typical graphics workstation is furnished with two monitors.

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Basic SystemDell Precision 330
CPUIntel Pentium 4 1.5 GHz
MotherboardIntel 850 chipset (Dell)
Memory512 MB PC800 ECC RDRAM
Hard disk40 GB, IDE, 7200 RPM, ATA100
Sound16 bit AC97 sound chip onboard
Network3Com Fast Ethernet with WOL onboard
1st Display21 inch CRT TCO95
2nd Display19 inch CRT TCO95
Operating SystemWindows 2000 Professional

The price for this basic system can vary, as seen below.

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VariantePrice
Elsa Gloria III (Quadro2 Pro)USD4,525
ATI Fire GL2USD4,824
ATI Fire GL4USD5,227 *)
3Dlabs Wildcat II 5110USD6,035

*) Estimates are based on information provided by the manufacturer. When this card was reviewed, this product was not yet available in stores.

The cheapest solution is currently a workstation with the Gloria III from Elsa, a system costing less than $4,525. PCs supplied with the Wildcat II 5110 cost approx. $1,510 more than the cheapest configuration.

Uwe Scheffel