Buying 5 NEW Dell Systems (Need Help)
Buying 5 NEW Dell Systems (Need Help)
(OP)
Hello all,
I have been tasked with specifying configurations for 5 new Dell desktop workstations (~$5k each maximum with no monitors needed.) I did a search for threads regarding the new Intel i5/i7 processors but nothing. Please drop your comments here if you needed a system to handle the following:
large assemblies (30MB and larger)
multiple processes running (outlook, excel, PDM, IE, etc.
XP PRO x64 (preferred)
dual monitors
It will be on me if the systems are not right so your comments are appreciated.
BB
I have been tasked with specifying configurations for 5 new Dell desktop workstations (~$5k each maximum with no monitors needed.) I did a search for threads regarding the new Intel i5/i7 processors but nothing. Please drop your comments here if you needed a system to handle the following:
large assemblies (30MB and larger)
multiple processes running (outlook, excel, PDM, IE, etc.
XP PRO x64 (preferred)
dual monitors
It will be on me if the systems are not right so your comments are appreciated.
BB






RE: Buying 5 NEW Dell Systems (Need Help)
Are you going to be working locally or over the network? If local I would look into getting the 15K RPM HDD if over the network I would not waste the money and stay with a 10k RPM Drive.
Minimum 8 GB RAM
i7 CPU Quad core. SW does not take full advantage yet, but does where it can. You will still have better performance than a dual core has now.
30MB assemblies are not huge, but it would still require a decent card. I would look at the 4800 1GB card in the T7500 Dell workstation.
Regards,
Scott Baugh, CSWP![[pc2] pc2](https://www.tipmaster.com/images/pc2.gif)
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policieswww.scottjbaugh.com
RE: Buying 5 NEW Dell Systems (Need Help)
Dan
www.eltronresearch.com
Dan's Blog
RE: Buying 5 NEW Dell Systems (Need Help)
We will be working over the network. It looks like the T7500 only comes with Xeon processors, no option for the i7.
RE: Buying 5 NEW Dell Systems (Need Help)
Scott Baugh, CSWP![[pc2] pc2](https://www.tipmaster.com/images/pc2.gif)
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policieswww.scottjbaugh.com
RE: Buying 5 NEW Dell Systems (Need Help)
Thanks for the input, and I will give them a call. Does SW now officially support Windows 7? Has there been a good amount of feedback on the 2 systems playing well together?
Thanks,
BB
RE: Buying 5 NEW Dell Systems (Need Help)
Regards,
Scott Baugh, CSWP![[pc2] pc2](https://www.tipmaster.com/images/pc2.gif)
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policieswww.scottjbaugh.com
RE: Buying 5 NEW Dell Systems (Need Help)
The Xeon 3500 and 5500 series are Nehelam core processors. Core i7 is being marketed to gamers. The professional class workstation get the Xeon.
Clock for clock the Xeon system will be a second or two Slower then their Core i7 cousins. Workstations built for reliablity over pure speed for the gamers.
You need to frequent the SolidWorks forums more. There have been tons of discussion over there on systems and Windows 7 support for SW.
SolidWorks 2010 SP1 supports Windows 7 officially.
Cheers,
Anna Wood
Anna Built Workstation, Core i7 EE965, FirePro V8700, 12 gigs of RAM, OCZ Vertex 120 Gig SSD
SW2010 SP0, Windows 7
http://www.solidmuse.com
http://www.phxswug.com
RE: Buying 5 NEW Dell Systems (Need Help)
Thank you for the input. Do you know anyone that is running those new Xeon processors? If so, what has been their experience thus far?
Scott,
We called Dell and they will not sell the i7 processor in any workstation desktop. Your thoughts on this as well as what Anna is recommending?
Thanks
RE: Buying 5 NEW Dell Systems (Need Help)
Personally having owned about a half dozen Dell's I'd say the Xi system blows them away in terms of what you get for the money.
Rob Rodriguez CSWP
www.axiscadsolutions.com
www.robrodriguez.com
http://www.robrodriguezblog.com
Eastern Region SWUGN Representative www.swugn.org www.nvtswug.com
SW 2007 SP 2.0
RE: Buying 5 NEW Dell Systems (Need Help)
I have heard good things about XI in the past. Thanks for the reminder.
Update Conversation with Dell:
According to Dell, I can not have the Core i-7 chipset on a XP Pro x64 system. If I want the Core i-7 and x64 I have to use either Vista or Windows 7.
Conclusion :(
RE: Buying 5 NEW Dell Systems (Need Help)
XP is obsolete now. You defimately don't want that.
Rob Rodriguez CSWP
www.axiscadsolutions.com
www.robrodriguez.com
http://www.robrodriguezblog.com
Eastern Region SWUGN Representative www.swugn.org www.nvtswug.com
SW 2007 SP 2.0
RE: Buying 5 NEW Dell Systems (Need Help)
Chris
SolidWorks 09 SP4.1
ctopher's home
SolidWorks Legion
RE: Buying 5 NEW Dell Systems (Need Help)
RE: Buying 5 NEW Dell Systems (Need Help)
A number of folks are running the new Xeon based systems from Dell. There are several datapoints in the punch holder benchmark for you to look at.
I just unboxed a new T3500 for our applications lab here where I work. Will have it up an running in a day or two.
I would have no problem recommending Dell, HP, Lenovo for the major OEM's. I would also go with Boxx. I have not heard good things about Xi tech support so I personally would shy away from them.
Cheers,
Anna Wood
Anna Built Workstation, Core i7 EE965, FirePro V8700, 12 gigs of RAM, OCZ Vertex 120 Gig SSD
SW2010 SP0, Windows 7
http://www.solidmuse.com
http://www.phxswug.com
RE: Buying 5 NEW Dell Systems (Need Help)
Also do not get Windows XP, you definitely want a Windows 7 system.
Cheers,
Anna Wood
Anna Built Workstation, Core i7 EE965, FirePro V8700, 12 gigs of RAM, OCZ Vertex 120 Gig SSD
SW2010 SP0, Windows 7
http://www.solidmuse.com
http://www.phxswug.com
RE: Buying 5 NEW Dell Systems (Need Help)
I don't know how your company feels about making custom boxes, but like I mentioned above a Colleague of mine made his own workstation (specifically for Solidworks) and only spent $2300 and says its been very stable. That included the case as well.
Regards,
Scott Baugh, CSWP![[pc2] pc2](https://www.tipmaster.com/images/pc2.gif)
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policieswww.scottjbaugh.com
RE: Buying 5 NEW Dell Systems (Need Help)
Chris
SolidWorks 09 SP4.1
ctopher's home
SolidWorks Legion