WOT: Can a Workstation Computer do everything a Desktop System can do?

[Alfred1]

I'm not buying one yet but I was wondering if a Dell Precision Workstation 370 can do everything a regular desktop PC can do like surfing the web, multimedia (Real Player), faxing etc?

[914GT]

They can usually do anything a desktop can but have higher performance. More memory, more storage, faster graphics, etc.

[Alfred1]

That's what I suspected. Thanks.

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Edit: Found my lost post.

[3D914]

Alfred,

For your benefit & any others that might stumble upon this, I thought I'd expand the explanation a little. Its always irritated me how (just like with cars) the focal point of computer comparisons tends to be the processor - 'Mines faster than yours!"

See the connection?

Anyway, the difference between a desktop PC, or a WEB PC, and Workstation PC goes much deeper - as Guy pointed out. Let me ellaborate while keeping it simple.

To avoid dating these points I won't mention specific speeds or throughput.

It starts with the motherboard. The mother board is the basis through which all other components (memory, disk drives, CPU, etc) communicate through. The faster the motherboard does this communication (Bus Speed) the more performance can be gained from the other components.

Next is the RAM memory (disk memory is below). Since RAM memory is faster to access then disk memory (at least currently) the more you have and the closer it is to your Bus Speed the better. Most applications require at least some RAM memory to startup or operate continually. If you run large programs (applications) or lots of them simultaniously, more RAM provides greater performance since once the RAM memory is used up, the operating system looks to slower disk memory next.

Disk memory is generally thought of as the local long-term storage medium - which it is, but it also is an important aspect of performance computing. Without getting into the details of hard-drives, suffice it to say that they, too, have their performance characteristics. Since data is passed to them via the motherboard, Bus Speed will again be a factor. Performance PC's will utlilize disk drives that have higher RPM rates for the disk (it spins you know), and lower seak times (avg times to locate data on the disk).

The overall size of the disk drive (its storage capacity) can affect performance, but this gets into more detail than is necessary for general use.

The graphics card is one component thats almost completely overlooked unless one plans on playing games or uses high-end graphics applications. It too can affect performance, and with a Workstation PC you're likely find a comparable graphics card. Like system RAM, graphics cards now carry considerable RAM on them as well. This increases the perfomance of the device since it doesn't have to compete for available system RAM. Most performance cards will have approx 1/2 the amount RAM that the system has. Again this is a general rule, and would be adjusted depending on the intended use.

And of course there is the CPU. SInce everyone knows the part they play, there's not much need to elaborate on them - right?

So, like your 914, your PC is comprised of numerous systems that must work together efficiently for the resulting whole to perform as expected.

Enjoy - & happy computing (or is that commuting?)

[Alfred1]

Gerard, thanks for that information. I want to buy a workstation so that I can play with some CAD software like Solidworks, which has specific requirements for video cards, and I wanted to make sure that the computer will still do all the other normal tasks a PC does.

[bd1308]

Originally posted by Alfred1
Gerard, thanks for that information. I want to buy a workstation so that I can play with some CAD software like Solidworks, which has specific requirements for video cards, and I wanted to make sure that the computer will still do all the other normal tasks a PC does.

check your facts man...don't lie or guess....i use Solidworks 2005 on a ATI Radeon 9550 with NO PROBLEM......even the assembly rotation simulations are perfect......

[Alfred1]

Originally posted by bd1308
check your facts man...don't lie or guess....

Edit:
Aargh! Frickin'! frackin'! #@$*! , $@#&%!!!

Certified Graphics Cards and Systems

The quality and performance of SolidWorks can depend on the choice of graphics adapter and driver version. To help you avoid known graphics adapter and driver version specific problems, SolidWorks has tested several commonly used graphics adapters and driver combinations.

SolidWorks recommends the use of Certified graphics cards and systems. A certified graphics card or system is tested to a higher standard and is supported by the vendor. If your graphics adapter is not listed, we recommend that you update to the latest driver version available from the vendor. If available, a link to the driver site has been provided.

http://www.solidworks.com/pages/services/VideoCardTesting.html

[bd1308]

whatever...not my money...go waste it for all i care.....just trying to help you save money...screw certified components....well i dont care. bye

[mike mueller]

check your facts man...don't lie or guess....i use Solidworks 2005 on a ATI Radeon 9550 with NO PROBLEM......even the assembly rotation simulations are perfect......

wait until you put together assemblies with hundreds of parts and try to rotate or regenerate the screen...trust me, it won't be pretty....Solidworks specifies a certain computer combo for "professionals", they don't give a ***** about the wanker at home with an illegal copy

heck, an older 386 might work, but it is not recommended, the software companies spec what they know will work and give optimal performance....

I use nothing but Dell workstations (home and work) that are recommended for use by Parametric (Pro/Engineer), the "workstation" is sorta a fancy way of seperating the average computer used for spreadsheets or normal everyday stuff...now they have the "multimedia" specific for games and such....just marketing words which help people decide which computer better suits their needs.....

[bd1308]

whatever man...i'm a student a ME student...i need this program for school....get the facts straight.....ME students get copies of sw to work on ....for class....I have my opinion....

[mike mueller]

Originally posted by bd1308
whatever man...i'm a student a ME student...i need this program for school....get the facts straight.....ME students get copies of sw to work on ....for class....I have my opinion....

if you have your opinion, why jump on Alfred with this line?

"check your facts man...don't lie or guess..."

he is not guessing, look at the recommended hardware requirements to run SW, they are going to list machines that are tested and known to work with huge complex assemblies....a true CAD workstation might be overkill for what he wants to draw, but who knows how complex the part(s) will be.....

[bd1308]

so why recommend somethign that is obviously overkill to someone that will be drawing some smaller parts? honestly, I don't see the need for a CAD station....too much $$$ for what is req'd IMHO....more $$$ could be used for 914 stuff i'm done here....sorry people.

[Acox914]

Originally posted by mike mueller
if you have your opinion, why jump on Alfred with this line?

"check your facts man...don't lie or guess..."

he is not guessing, look at the recommended hardware requirements to run SW, they are going to list machines that are tested and known to work with huge complex assemblies....a true CAD workstation might be overkill for what he wants to draw, but who knows how complex the part(s) will be.....

swish! from 3 point land....

[Alfred1]

Originally posted by Acox914
swish! from 3 point land....

Zorro, the gay blade?

[Acox914]

Originally posted by Acox914
swish! from 3 point land....

nope... a good shot at a dumb remark by britt...

IOW...im backing you ....

[Alfred1]

An entry-level Dell workstation isn't even that expensive after you delete the Microsoft Office package (I don't need it). The last time I priced it, they were having a 20% off offer and the total came to $1020 CAD with tax and shipping. That was with a Solidworks certified, ATI FireGL V3100, 128 mb video card.

[type11969]

thats a pretty decent price, I couldn't find anything that good when I was looking. I ended up building a machine with an AMD XP3000 and a video card that is on SW acceptable but not recommended list, 1 gig ram, SATA 7200 (I think) hard drive . . . (I can give you the other components if you are interested) Anyway, it absolutely smokes the Dell workstation I use at work with its 3.2 Penti4 and recommended card. Plus I built it for only 600 bucks, real easy too, took about an hour.

And I use Solidworks all day long at work with large complex assemblies. My amd machine opens them up faster, resolves things faster, etc. Food for thought if you are interested in saving 400 bucks.

[Alfred1]

Originally posted by type11969
can give you the other components if you are interested

That would be great if you could give me the "recipe" for building that system. I considered building my own but I'm a little hesitant because I have no training in that area other than what I learned about electronics/electricity in physics and (automotive) tech school. Is that a 64 bit AMD chip?

[type11969]

yup, its 64bit. It is extrodinarily easy to build, anyone can do it if you can follow directions. Computer parts are essentially standardized at this point, so everything is plug and play. I have no training in that area either, just make sure not to static shock anything (keep the chassis grounded and touch the chassis before touching anything else).

The video card I bought has a warning from SW that claims that it can only open 12 SW windows at once before shut down. I haven't tested this yet, but even at work, I've never had that many windows open.

CASE SCASE|PC-115 7C574-115 350W RT
Item# N82E16811154017
$22.00

*VGA PWRCLR|RADEON9600PRO 128M 8X
Item# N82E16814131219
$119.50

CPU AMD 64 |3000+ ATHLON 64 RTL
Item# N82E16819103486
$148.00

DDRAM512MB|CORSAR64X64 VS512MB400 R
Item# N82E16820145026
$68.27 x2

$136.54

HD 80GB|MAXTOR 6Y080M0 SATA %
Item# N82E16822144318
$67.00

CDRW 52X32X52|OPTORITE CW5201 BLACK
Item# N82E16827182021
$21.50

MB AMD VIA K8T800|SL-K8AV2-RL SOLTK
Item# N82E16813180056
$82.50

FAN COOLINGFAN SPEEZE FD08025S1M4
Item# N82E16835150007
$2.09 x2

$4.18

One thing to keep in mind, you don't have a warranty for the computer, no technical service, etc. Parts have warranties on them though. Bought it all through newegg.com, great site. I found an SW recommended card for only about 100 dollars more than the one I got, can't remember the name though. Search on neweggs site for the recommended ones, most are pushing 500 bucks or more.

I can't emphasize how easy it was, I can't see ever buying a computer from a place like Dell or gateway again.

[Alfred1]

Cool, thanks for the information. I couldn't find a couple of items on your list at the newegg.com site, though. If I decide to build my own, I think I'll look for a how-to book on Amazon first so I don't go in completely unprepared.