another RAM questions

[guitarguy1685]

How much better is DDR3 1333mhz vs DDR3 1066MHz?

[guitarguy1685]

The reason I'm asking is because I am ordering around 10 computer and I have to options

 

Option #1 - Dell

Xeon 3.0Ghz Processor

6GB DDR3 ECC 1066MHz

Quadro FX3800 DDR3 1GB

 

Options #2 - Independent Dealer

i7-920 2.66Ghz

8GB DDR3 Non-ECC 1333MHZ

Quadro FX1800 DDR3 768Mhz

 

The price is essentially the same. It seems like a no brainer to me but I just don't' know how much better is the RAM from the independent dealer.

[MikeScott]

I dont like Dell because you usually can't upgrade your processor.

[guitarguy1685]

we'd probably get them on a 2 year lease. Not sure we'd need to upgrade the CPU in 2 years.

[ReMark]

I dont like Dell because you usually can't upgrade your processor.

 

 

Really? And why is that?

[Tankman]

I would take a hard look at Lenovo laptops and/or desktops.

 

I've had four of them after Dell's, HP's, Compaq's, and others.

 

You can query the web for reviews. I'm not a pro but, the real pro's recommend Lenovo for business machines.

 

http://www.desktopreview.com/default.asp?newsID=760&Review+Lenovo+ThinkCentre+A58

 

Of course, you can add, subtract, do plenty with this bare bones configuration.

How much loot do you have? :wink:

[BBHP]

Option 2 has a weird ram combo, 8GB on a triple channel CPU. For optimum performance, make sure the amount of RAM is divisible by 3.

 

I know its rarely mentioned but make sure the disk subsystem matches the CPU/MB/RAM combo. The difference between 7.2k drives and SAS/SSD is very noticeable.

[tzframpton]

RAM and Bus speeds matter a lot, actually. But these are pre-configured factory computers so not much more you can squeeze out of these 'puters so it's kinda like "flip a coin" between the two setups. They are both nice setups though. 1st option is better overall.

[MikeScott]

Really? And why is that?

 

I spoke with Dell tech support about processor upgrades and they said there was no way to upgrade that motherboard's processor. We bought it 6 months ago. We thought we were getting one of their "mid-to-higher-end" systems, and paid about $2000 for it, under the assumption we could upgrade the processor when/if we needed to.

 

No such luck. We should have checked on that before buying.. That's "our bad" I guess.

 

On a side note.. according to a friend who pieces together systems as a hobby, the Dell motherboards aren't all "standard" boards apparently. They use proprietary equipment that sometimes aren't even compatible with other systems of the same model.

 

He said he had two DELL "Precision" machines (his and his wife's) and tried to switch-out a fan from his system to his wife's to replace one that had gone bad, and discovered they were wired completely differently.. They were identical models, but he discovered different motherboard layouts, and the fan on one had like 5 leads going to it, and only 3(?) leads going to the same fan location on the other system.

 

One of them also had a power supply system that was unlike any he'd seen before, while the other seemed to be the usual standard power supply system.

[tzframpton]

It's just safer to stay away from a pre-manufactured computer if you want to upgrades items such as the processor unless it comes from a manufacture that specializes in custom rigs. You deal with too many proprietary issues.

[ReMark]

Compaq and HP use proprietary system configurations as well but I have to admit I never heard of a motherboard that could not have the CPU changed out until today. That's a new one on me. What do they do, hard wire it?

 

What is the model Dell computer you have Mike?

[tzframpton]

Compaq and HP use proprietary system configurations as well but I have to admit I never heard of a motherboard that could not have the CPU changed out until today. That's a new one on me. What do they do, hard wire it?

 

What is the model Dell computer you have Mike?

This is actually not new to me at all.... it's because a lot of these motherboards are actually engineered and developed by the manufacturer and they will make it JUST good enough to handle a certain speed processor, or have the BIOS pre-configured to a factory setting. Not so much anymore, but in the past, yes.

[ReMark]

Just one more reason to buy a higher end or custom system.

[MikeScott]

I've got a Dell Precision T3400

 

Hardwired processor? lol I haven't looked. I think Styk is on the right track though.. regarding optimizing and value-engineering for a specific set-up.

 

Besides.. Dell figures that I bought a new one from them, when in theory, I might have been able to upgrade what I had... They're likely figuring we'll all just buy new ones again.

[tzframpton]

I've got a Dell Precision T3400

 

Hardwired processor? lol I haven't looked. I think Styk is on the right track though.. regarding optimizing and value-engineering for a specific set-up.

 

Besides.. Dell figures that I bought a new one from them, when in theory, I might have been able to upgrade what I had... They're likely figuring we'll all just buy new ones again.

I think it's more a cost-effective issue. They design parts that are bottom dollar, and engineered to hold exactly the amount of specs needed, thus creating a very inexpensive computer. You have to remember they're configuring these systems on a mass production scale and they're not intended to be highly configurable.