Dell Precision R5400 Rack Workstation

[olson]

You could build an equivalent for $1500-2000 with new parts, there's a $500 variance because some of the specifications aren't listed like the disk drives and power supply wattage. Used I would think it would go for $1000-1250 right now. If the offer is for less than that it would be a good deal. Cheers!

EDIT: As configured directly from Dell the system still goes for $3,200+, but that's expensive for what you get and not really reflective of the rest of the market.

[gotdamsg]

The price offered to me is $2000..

[olson]

For $2,000 I'd go and build one myself with new components. That way I could put more into the processors and memory where it matters instead of putting a $700 graphics card in a render node (that doesn't even need a graphics card).

Take for example a SuperServer 6015W-NiB, 8GB of fully buffered DDR2, a 500GB drive, and two E5420 processors (at 2.5 GHz) would still be less expensive than the used system from your buddy. I'd try and talk them down otherwise its not really worth it as a render node. Even as a workstation considering the graphics card the price is still a little high for a used system. Cheers!

[gotdamsg]

Its not an used system.. its new with warranty.

[olson]

Its not an used system.. its new with warranty.
I was offered for a very low price for this workstation from my friend.

Maybe I'm missing something? But it doesn't sound like a new system, even still if you are just after a render node there are faster systems for less money out there. Or maybe buy it and sell the Quadro for $500 to make up some of the difference. Cheers!

[gotdamsg]

Olson, What is your recommendation?
Sell the Quadro for $500 and replace with a higher end card?.. I really need advise on this because Im still new in todays hardware.

[olson]

Olson, What is your recommendation?
Sell the Quadro for $500 and replace with a higher end card?..

If it really is a new in the box system with a warranty then its a fair deal for that price, since it was from a buddy I figured it wasn't new. I mentioned selling the Quadro because the Quadro card is overkill for what you've listed in the first post, rendering and 2D tasks. A large portion of the system cost is that video card that could otherwise be put into faster processor and/or more memory which would return faster renders. Cheers!

[thomaspecht]

i read it as 3d work as such (archviz), which the card should be well suited for - obviously rendering would be a part of the workflow? a dedicated render node would be a different beast indeed.

anyhow one thing since it is a rackmount system - make sure to get some info about the noise this system generates in comparison to a desktop workstation if you are sensitive to that sorta thing.
rackmountable cases are often full of small and fast-spinning fans to make sure the machine doesn't cook itself in when placed in a rack full of hot-running gear. it's not exactly intended to be set up next to a user's desk and *might* be substantially more noisy than the same setup in a desktop/tower configuration. just sayin'. :)

[gotdamsg]

thanks for the info.. :)

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