Full Version: Custom Built PC
From: Bieb (HABIEB) [#1]
17 Mar 2006
To: ALL
I know a guy that has been building custom high end computers for the PC gaming industry (believe it or not hard core gamers are willing to spend upwards of $6000.00 for their computers), he is in the process of opening his own shop instead of continuing to be the primary builder. He and I were talking and thought there might be a way to come up with a custom build for the engraving industry.
Does anyone use a dual-core processor machine for their engraver? How about multiple monitors to keep all your graphics spread out? What other things would you like to see in a custom built PC? Here are some of the basic items that would go into the build:
1gb RAM min, 2gb recommended (no need to exceed 2gb unless you are running 64bit Windows)
2.5ghz Dual Core processor
Graphics card with at least 256mb graphics memory
DVD-RW
Hard drive configuration varies. One of the things that he does that is great is 2 36gb, 10000rpm SATA drives that are mirrored that hold the Operating System and Programs. Then a 300gb hard drive for data storage. This way if you have a problem with Windows you can wipe and re-install Windows without worrying about losing all your graphics that you have created.
This is kind of a starting point. Please let me know of any other recommendations and he can work on a configuration and pricing.
Thanks
Harold
From: Ken D. (KDEVORY) [#2]
17 Mar 2006
To: Bieb (HABIEB) [#1] 17 Mar 2006
Unlike those gammers, price is a major issue for me.
I use one computer for running the laser and the "office", reliability/backup is an issue. I currently run Norton Ghost, great if I need to roll back the system, or if something happens to the data on the main drive. It won't help if the computer gets a virus that wipes out both drives.
From: Franklin (FW_HAYNES) [#3]
17 Mar 2006
To: Ken D. (KDEVORY) [#2] 17 Mar 2006
From: Rodney Gold (RODNEY_GOLD) [#4]
17 Mar 2006
To: Bieb (HABIEB) [#1] 18 Mar 2006
I believe a fast computer more than pays foritself in many respects , especially if you do digital printing where RIP files can exceed 3 gigs or so and the difference between ripping on a slow puter vs a fast one can be 1/2 an hour compoared to 3 minutes.
My persona PC is a dual screen (VERY VERY useful) using a 20" apple Cinemadisplay monitor (wide - very nice real estate for palettes and dockers, the BEST resonably price TFT display I have ever used - Bravo Apple) and a generic 17" LCD display driven by a Nvida Geforce 6600 GT dual output card . the main monitor uses DVI output from the card.
I use a 3.4 gig dual core MB with 2mb cache , 2 gigs of fast Ram and 2 x 200mb Hd's (x2 for 800 gb) configured in a mirrored raid array as well as a Lacie 500mb disc drive using firewire 800 as oiffboard storage. A DVD/CD reader/writer and a dedicated DVD writer and 7 in 1 card reader too. My puters for my other designers are not that much less than this and albeit the setup is expensive , it was worth every penny. Programs load instantly and one doesnt have to wait any time at all for them to do stuff , thus your train of thought isnt interrupted and you can basically have a zillion windows and packages open simultaneously aiding workflow big time. I would say a system like this is overkill unless you are doing significant amounts of fairly complex work or working with seriously big files (I shoot my pics in RAW mode so sometimes the raw file is over 12mb , thats just for a photo!!)
Various components of the system aid various programs , like the raid array and the proccessor speed are vital whan doing these huge RIPS for my wide format digital printer and the graphics card and RAM aid stuff like Corel and Photoshop. The dual monitor scenario is just amazing , the mouse works across both and there is space in terms of both "desktops" (physical and puterwise) and its a snap to cut and paste between them and so forth.The box without monitors was about $2k , both monitors about $1k.
From: Ken D. (KDEVORY) [#5]
17 Mar 2006
To: Franklin (FW_HAYNES) [#3] Unread
Currently the Ghosting is incrementally updated a few times a day, with a new baseline once a week. for this reason its always connected. It is an external drive. Yes the solution would be a drive I updated once a day then unplugged.
I just wanted to point out two reasons for backups with very different needs/functionality.
From: Upacreek [#6]
17 Mar 2006
To: Bieb (HABIEB) [#1] 18 Mar 2006
Sounds like a nice machine. My only recommendation would be to offer a good warranty to go along with the good machine.
Would I personally purchase a machine from the guy? No. I have built my fair share of machines more powerful then that and could build my own for cheaper.
Then again, my last PC purchase was a Dell. It was a decent machine for my needs and it came with a Flat Panel Monitor deal I couldn't pass up. My Flat Panel is larger then my TV. I searched for other Flat Panel deals and nothing could compare to the Dell deal.
Michel
EDITED: 17 Mar 2006 by UPACREEK