Workhorse for less than $500

Quote from WinstonTJ:

I'm not going to lie - there is a big difference between DDR2 and DDR3 just as there is a big difference between 45nm and 32nm architecture - but when I say big I think it's misleading because so many tasks are mundane and trivial on a computer. What is the difference between "super fast" and "lightning fast"??

Most of the HFT servers I host are actually Intel Atom CPU's because all they need is a dual core and 4-6GB of RAM. Most people get a hard on for RAM and CPU cores - most people use less than 25% of their machine's capacity.

I've never owned an i5 so I can't speak to them. The nice thing about the Dell & HP workstations is that Xeon processors work in pairs - which allows you to take a single older CPU and double it - right down to L2 and L3 cache. I go through so many Xeon x5060 CPU's that there is a pair at the top of my keyboard right now. *** sorry these are x5080 - 3.73ghz... but 4mb of cache is small... how about when you combine two and now you have 8mb of cache, 4 logical and 4 hyperthreads - for less than $50.... for the money you simply can't beat it.
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And the issue of the motherboard....

Most computer buyers think the CPU is the brains and end-all of the computer.. .nothing matters as much.

I disagree. IF the CPU is the "brians", then the motherboard is the "central nervous system".

If one is looking to get a workhorse on a limited budget, better to go with an older workstation for its server-class components. It's like having to spend $10,000 on a car... would you rather buy a new Dodge Neon or a 2-year old Lexus with 5000 miles on it.

Before I replaced all my computers 3-4 years ago, I was running Dell Dimension 8300s. One I sold to a friend who still uses it daily.. that's going on 11 years.. and the Dimension 8300 was a mid-level rig, not even a workstation class machine. (I'd also sold him an el-cheapo Compaq... needless to say, it's not still running.)
 
Quote from WinstonTJ:

that newegg link is to a garbage computer - i'll tale a $500 P490 up against that all day long.
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That link was provided by me, not him. But anyway, what is garbage for you?

As long as it runs for 3 years and does the job what the OP wants it to do (what we still don't know about) big words like garbage is well, garbage. :)

All of the specs of that computer beats your precious little P490's....
 
for 500 bucks? Fuck it man, just buy two. When one goes out, dispose of it, and use the other one and buy a new disposable.

I lost a lot of money in my calculator repair business. otherwise, if you need a good refurbished cigarertte lighter, we have a lot of them cheaper than you can buy at walmart.

I paid a lot of money for a good cordless phone. It was a real workhorse. Still works if you're interested.
 
Quote from Pekelo:

That link was provided by me, not him. But anyway, what is garbage for you?

As long as it runs for 3 years and does the job what the OP wants it to do (what we still don't know about) big words like garbage is well, garbage. :)

All of the specs of that computer beats your precious little P490's....
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I wasn't trying to be outwardly negative - i'm in a cast and still typing one-handed so sometimes what i say or the words i look for is the fewest letters vs what makes sense :)

I'm speaking from experience - i host VM's for traders and small funds as well as provide connectivity on a consulting basis... but it's a pretty new gig for me and does not always pay the bills so I have been moonlighting a lot doing computer repair. I've seen a lot of different machines in the past year or so...

The CPU is fine but the OS (w7 home) is junk... add on another $200 to that machine's price to upgrade to W7x64 Professional with Office 2007/2010 Professional... I also see a big difference between a machine that comes with a "home" OS vs. one that comes with a "Pro" OS...

Also don't forget that today's high performance servers are bad-ass... light years better than the normal retail chips out on the market - so yes, server hardware from a few years ago can compete with modern low-end retail machines.

Think of it like buying a 3-5 year old Porsche 911 Vs buying a brand new Taurus or Escort... They may be close with fuel economy, displacement, 0-60 times, etc... but i'll take the P-car all day long vs those other heaps.
 
Quote from Scataphagos:

And the issue of the motherboard....

Most computer buyers think the CPU is the brains and end-all of the computer.. .nothing matters as much.

I disagree. IF the CPU is the "brians", then the motherboard is the "central nervous system".

If one is looking to get a workhorse on a limited budget, better to go with an older workstation for its server-class components. It's like having to spend $10,000 on a car... would you rather buy a new Dodge Neon or a 2-year old Lexus with 5000 miles on it.

Before I replaced all my computers 3-4 years ago, I was running Dell Dimension 8300s. One I sold to a friend who still uses it daily.. that's going on 11 years.. and the Dimension 8300 was a mid-level rig, not even a workstation class machine. (I'd also sold him an el-cheapo Compaq... needless to say, it's not still running.)
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lol i just posted a car analogy too :)

I think they just don't get it... They see the benchmarks of the cpu's and are blind to the rest....
 
Quote from WinstonTJ:

The CPU is fine but the OS (w7 home) is junk...
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So this was your only negative opinion about it? Since we don't know what the OP wants to use the computer for, W7 might be just as fine as anything. (You do know that people have used XP for years and years)

Also, staying at your car analogy, if the owners of those cars just want to do 15 miles per day city driving for 3 years, both cars should be just fine.

Bottomline: Unless we know what he wants to use it for, pretty much anything should do it for 3 years... I would go with the new (more bang for the buck) but if he wants to go old, so be it... One simple solution is, buying new for $400 and throw in 3 years extended warranty for another $100, still at budget, but protected...
 
Quote from Pekelo:

So this was your only negative opinion about it? Since we don't know what the OP wants to use the computer for, W7 might be just as fine as anything. (You do know that people have used XP for years and years)

Also, staying at your car analogy, if the owners of those cars just want to do 15 miles per day city driving for 3 years, both cars should be just fine.

Bottomline: Unless we know what he wants to use it for, pretty much anything should do it for 3 years... I would go with the new (more bang for the buck) but if he wants to go old, so be it...
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I just tried to be nice and offer an apology for coming off as a jerk.

The title of the thread states "$500 Workhorse"

I think OP made it clear.


EDIT: P.S. I'm building two T5400's and a P490 today for clients
 
Couldn't resist regarding the argument between new and old...

Simple Analogy: Man walks into a Brothel, he is faced with two choices; save a few bucks and go with the "older" proven workhorse, or for just a little bit more go with the newer, faster, "hotter" option...

imho, the choice is clear.... :)
 
If you want a true "workhorse" you need a higher budget. And if it's a trading box, the presumption is that your success is dependent upon the performance of the machine (and other factors). Up that budget to $1k or more.
 
Quote from WinstonTJ:

The title of the thread states "$500 Workhorse"
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He only meant running it 24/7 but nothing else.

Anyway, let's move on. What will you use 10 years from now??? I assume today's new computers, unless you want to stick with 15 years old ones...

Generally, I agree with you, that if there is a design that proved to be particulary robust/stabil/reliable it is worthy to keep it around as long as it is possible, but there is a cut off years and tasks, when the new ones can do the same task just as fine as that old one.

So how long would you keep this P490 around?
 
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