Talk:PC Hardware Vote 2014

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Background

  • uniform hardware:
    • An adimrable goal, but we're not running a computer lab with 20 identical machines. They have different use profiles, and we should spec hardware for usage primarily, and consistency where possible. Using a single vendor is a big win in terms of support.

Considerations

Video Cards

  • Anything used for CAD will require a high-end video card. I don't know what to specify, but don't plan on using the on-board graphics.
    • Hef and I both agree that proper discrete graphics are important. --Dbever (talk)
    • I disagree. Most built-in graphics cards these days can process billions of polygons per second -- way more than is needed for most 3D modelling. CAD rarely requires using massive texture maps, which is what most modern video cards are built for. 10 years ago you wanted discrete graphics cards for CAD. This is not needed today for anything anyone is likely to be working on at PS1. My little Macbook Pro's discrete graphics is fine for very highly tessellated models. There are only two things driving high-end video cards today: super hi-res, photo-realistic video games and GPGPU programming. We need neither for CAD. It is a waste of money. Spend the money on CPU and memory. Rob
    • I don't have hard data, but Rob's supposition is at least plausible, and very likely right. We should ask a couple cad pros. --dwlocks

Dirty Environment

  • Washable keyboards - Especially in the shop
    • What about keyboard covers, the ones that you find in a lab environment? --Noony
    • Uninformed response (I've seen those plastic ones, I think) - these will likely be lost (and unpleasant to type on?)--Dbever (talk) 17:23, 30 March 2014 (CDT)
  • Decent mouse!
  • Monitor included in unit price?
    • 19" minimum

CNC 3020 Computer

  • Mach3 must use a 32 bit OS to communicate with a parallel port.
  • Requires parallel port to use the current CNC controller.
    • It might be possible to replace this with a USB CNC controller.
    • Then it will work with Windows 8
  • This probably could be a candidate for a recycled cast off, not a new, good machine.
    • See Hef's points RE unified hardware --Dbever (talk)
  • It used to have a very nice shuttle/jog controller. We should consider purchasing one for a replacement.
    • I was expecting the mach3 controller peripheral to be in the host area budget, is it? --Hef (talk) 14:13, 30 March 2014 (CDT)
  • UPDATES:
    • The CNC 3020 is gone, as is the parallel stepper controller. Need for a parallel port and a 32 bit requirement has vanished.
    • Bart is bringing in a CNC machine to replace it. This will not need a computer connected, or need Mach3, as it has an integrated controller that uses a pendant.
    • Bart brought the pendant back.
    • A better computer that can run Bart's license of Aspire would be nice as the one there is old. This needs to be run past Bart. Said computer needs support for SD cards to get the gcode to the new CNC router.
    • Elizabeth has more details, but it looks like we may get a ShapeOko 2 donated. This needs a computer. It uses a CAM package called Easel that requires a 64 bit OS. A single 64 bit computer that can run Easel and Aspire would be very nice for this area and could support design for the Bart CNC and design and running of the ShapeOko 2.
    • The ShopBot needs a computer too but that was approved under a separate vote proposal.
    • --Rdpierce (talk) 09:18, 18 April 2014 (CDT)

Software Licenses

  • The laser has licenses for Corel (I thought PS:One purchased it) and Adobe Illustrator. Unsure how easy transfer of them to a new box would be.
  • The vinyl cutter uses very old software w/ a dongle.
    • What is the software called? --Hef (talk) 14:14, 30 March 2014 (CDT)
  • The electronics shop PC has a member's spare copy of Solid Works, as well as a donated copy Eagle CAD.
    • Solidworks license belongs to someone who is no longer a member. Consider this going away.--Dbever (talk) 15:44, 30 April 2014 (CDT)

Hardware Configurations

Lenovo Thinkcentre Configured from lenovo.com

IMHO, this represents a much better value. Note: SSD, no dvd, integrated graphics, core i5
ThinkCentre M73 - SFF

  • Part number: 10B6CTO1WW
  • Intel Core i5-4440 Processor (6MB Cache, up to 3.30GHz)
  • Windows 8.1 64
  • ThinkCentre M73E 240W - Intel H81 Planar - Small Form Factor
  • 8GB 1600MHz UDIMM DDR3 PC3-12800
  • Integrated Graphics
  • Integrated Audio
  • 128GB Solid State Drive, 2.5", SATA
  • 9 in 1 Card Reader
  • Integrated Intel Gigabit Ethernet
  • Edge Mouse
  • Internal Speakers Small Form Factor
  • Floor Stand
  • 3 Year On-site
  • $992.85*
    • 4YR Onsite, add $60

--dlwocks

      • Do you have the product link page? --Hef (talk) 15:39, 6 May 2014 (CDT)

Avadirect Vesa Mount

AVA Direct

  • CHIEFTEC Bravo BL-01B (New Revision) Black Case w/ VESA Mount, ATX, No PSU, Steel
  • ANTEC Basiq BP500U 500W Power Supply, 24-pin ATX12V EPS12V, 1x 6-pin PCIe
  • GIGABYTE GA-H77-DS3H, LGA1155, Intel® H77, DDR3-1600 32GB /4, PCIe x16, SATA 3Gb/s RAID 5 /4, 6Gb/s /2, HDMI + DVI + VGA, USB 3.0 /4, HDA, * * GbLAN, mATX, Retail
  • INTEL Core™ i5-3470S Quad-Core 2.9 - 3.6GHz TB, HD Graphics 2500, LGA1155, 6MB L3 Cache, DDR3-1600, 22nm, 65W, EM64T EIST VT-d VT-x XD, Retail
  • CORSAIR 8GB (2 x 4GB) Vengeance™ LP PC3-12800 DDR3 1600MHz CL9 (9-9-9-24) 1.5V SDRAM DIMM, Non-ECC
  • ZOTAC ZT-61008-10M, GeForce® GTX 650 1071MHz, 1GB GDDR5 5000MHz, PCIe x16, mini-HDMI + 2 x DVI, Retail
  • SEAGATE 500GB Constellation™ ES, SATA 6 Gb/s, 7200 RPM, 64MB cache
  • RAID No RAID, Independent HDD Drives
  • LITE-ON iHAS124 Black 24x DVD±RW Dual-Layer Burner, SATA, OEM
  • ASUS VE228H Black WideScreen LCD Monitor, 21.5" TFT Full HD LED, 1920x1080, 0.248mm, 250cd/m², 5ms, VGA/DVI/HDMI, VESA, w/ Speakers
  • LOGITECH K310 Washable Keyboard, Black / White, USB, Retail
  • LOGITECH M510 Black Wireless Mouse, 2.4GHz RF Wireless, USB, Retail
  • TRIPP-LITE STRIKER Protect It! Surge Suppressor, 7 outlets, 6-ft cord
  • MICROSOFT Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit Edition, OEM w/ Media
  • WARRANTY Silver Warranty Package (3 Year Limited Parts, 3 Year Labor Warranty)
  • Total: $1202.72 --loans
    • Not in line with proposal? --dlwocks
    • This was early research. --Dbever (talk) 15:45, 30 April 2014 (CDT)
  • From the proposal, the thinkcentre with core i7 is *substantial* overkill for anything ps1 users will do. Core i3 should be fine. I still stand by 2 cpu systems, but 4 will work. However, Small local ssds will boost performance alot more than huge processing power. --dlwocks
  • There is benefit from uniform *VENDOR* hardware purchasing. IE all thinkcenters. However 100%consistent specs across the board is a waste. How can you justify discrete graphics and core i7 for a *registration* machine?? Make it a thinkcenter so the bios is the same, and it has similar remote management stuff, but no one buys cad hardware for a kiosk. --dlwocks
    • Dan's got a point. With a long-term, on-site warranty, I can't imagine that we could expect to swap a machine for more than a few days - I'd happily install whatever critical software on a less-powerful machine to hold us over that long.
      • once you find the right flags, software installs it self using the AD. That way you turn on, join the domain, reboot, software is installed. go. --dwlocks
  • Spinning optical drives are quaintly 20th century. Cute. Not something we should pay for. Not even $20. This will usually allow a smaller form factor too. --dlwocks
    • I'm not dropping spinning media yet. For whatever reason, it comes up at the space. --Hef (talk) 15:38, 6 May 2014 (CDT)

two machines for arts?

  • Why does arts need two design machines, especially considering one of them is a very expensive mac? Dbever (talk)
    • valid question, I'm going to talk to Shelly. I think I might have added it without coordinating with her first. --Hef (talk) 12:52, 30 April 2014 (CDT)
    • is it a valid question? Mac mini price seems competitive with the Lenovo machines being considered. "very expensive mac" is an outdated red herring. --David Fell
  • My question would be "Why the very expensive Mac? Can't whatever is being done on it be done on a less expensive but equally capable PC? Scyg
    • Honestly, it's because the arts area requested a mac. They feel it would be useful for the knitting machine and design software (Adobe CS if I recall correctly). --Hef (talk) 12:52, 30 April 2014 (CDT)
  • IMHO it's the 27" part that kills us. Seriously. 24 is probably still overkill. Yes big screens are nice. However, knitting is *decidedly* low res. --User:dwlocks (talk) 13:58, 30 April 2014 (CDt)
    • I would argue that a mac mini at half the cost makes a lot more sense, if we must be buying apple hardware. --Dbever (talk) 15:57, 30 April 2014 (CDT)
  • Mac got dropped entirely. --Hef (talk) 15:37, 6 May 2014 (CDT)
    • Why? --David Fell
      • It was ridiculously expensive and a similarly equipped PC will serve sufficiently for design purposes. I'm personally of the opinion that those interested in machine knitting should be looking out for a mac mini - i'd happily vote for a proposal to purchase one new or used. --Dbever (talk) 08:07, 8 May 2014 (CDT)
      • Interest in the mac was heavily questioned, and I wasn't able to establish interest in the mac before running out of time before the "drop dead" date, so I cut it as an incomplete feature. --Hef (talk) 01:51, 10 May 2014 (CDT)

Total Cost

  • Totaling the cost of the items listed doesn't equal the total shown. ? Mskilton
    • Dan made an adjustment to the display price column to change total price per unit to base price of tower. I am not sure what the reason was for this, I'll change it back, and ask for a better explanation --Hef (talk) 16:52, 6 May 2014 (CDT)
    • I also updated the machine count without updating the total, I'll correct for this shortly. --Hef (talk) 16:53, 6 May 2014 (CDT)
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