Dell just released a new server, the SC430 (nothing to do with lexus). Its their first dual core unit.

Intel® Pentium® D (Dual-Core)  3.0GHz, 800MHz Front Side Bus, 2x1 MB cache
Four ECC DDR-2 533 SDRAM DIMM sockets for up to 4 GB of memory
3 x PCI Express (x8, x4, x1 connectors)
2 x 32bit/33MHz 5v PCI
2 x Front USB ports, 5 x Back USB ports
1 x RJ45, 1 x serial port

The unit will cost $575 with 256 RAM and Dual Core 3.0Ghz. I’d get 1GB stick for $99 so total cost $675. I could use the last 3 slots to upgrade to 4GB when needed.

Would you get it or wait for the prices to drop?
I have about 1-2 weeks to order a new unit…dual core or not.

Thanks,
Erik

why do you say you can’t put a good graphics card on it? It’s got PCI and express slots even.

Should be able to whack in a ripper card.

I think it lacks the 16x (am I correct) PCI-E…but honestly, I’m not paying $500 for a videocard anyway, so its mute. My gaming rig still uses a Radeon 9800 PRO and I am very happy with it…I don’t plan on upgrading, and I won’t be using a dual core for games as none take advantage of it.

Erik

I’ve sworn off Dell over the past 2 years. I’m not sure if it was the “I think I’ll shut off now” backplane on the last Dell server we bought, the laptop that needed no less than 3 successive motherboard replacements, or the problems we had on the legendarily bad 4600 series (PSU and mobo problems).

My other Dell server has crazy uptime…11 months since I got to MI and many months before in NJ. Although, your not the first one to tell me this.

Erik

[quote author=“tifosiv122”]My other Dell server has crazy uptime…11 months since I got to MI and many months before in NJ. Although, your not the first one to tell me this.

It really depends on the vintage. I have a 4-year old PowerEdge 4400 acting as our database server at work that hasn’t been rebooted in 270 days. That thing’s pounded 24/7 and considered mission-critical or I’d bounce it to run updates more often. It would be closer to 2 years (Win2k SP4) but we actually had to upgrade the RAM on it. The higher-end PowerEdge servers were very solid for years. I wouldn’t trust the new ones at all.

dell has just taken a dive over the past few years…part of that is the cheap parts they’re using in their machines and part of that is the decrease in quality control standards.  When you’re throwing together machines at that volume for less than 400 bux, something’s gotta give.

My last order of Dell C840 laptops came in two years ago and i’ve sworn them off ever since.  Nothing but problems on all eight of them (we have a small shop).  At about the same time i got a 8250 desktop which blows equally as bad.

If you want a server done right, there’s only one choice:  You and NEWEGG.

IMHO

[quote author=“gotolam”]you want a server done right, there’s only one choice:  You and NEWEGG.

Here’s another: HP + 4-hour same-day support pack.

[quote author=“Drachen”]
I have a 4-year old PowerEdge 4400 acting as our database server at work that hasn’t been rebooted in 270 days. The higher-end PowerEdge servers were very solid for years. I wouldn’t trust the new ones at all.

Same thing here. Our satellite image database server is a PE4400 and we haven’t had any trouble with it. We also have a 2-year old PE1500SC. Our old Dell notebooks are still running fine, but another lab in our company is having nothing but trouble with some of the new ones.

Thanks guys. For compatability reasons I went with a standard 3.2 Ghz P4 HT CPU. Hey, they threw in another 19” LCD Flat Panel…woo hoo!

I ordered it 2 nights ago (at 10pm) and it arrived today at noon. I also customized it, not one of their configurations, so I was surprised it came so quickly.

Thanks,
Erik