| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| daniel.greenberg |
Posted - May 08 2003 : 2:20:06 PM
The lab I work in is considering purchasing a computer for FMRI data analysis. Before we do, though, I wanted to try to make sure that the BIAC software and Matlab tools would actually work on the computer we want to buy (it'd really suck to have a $3500 doorstop). So any advice would be appreciated. Here are the specs we're looking at:
Dell Precision Workstation 450
2.8 GHz Intel Xeon Processor (512K Cache)
256MB DDR226 SDRAM memory*
Dell UltraSharp 19-inch Flat Panel monitor
ATI Fire GL 64MB dual-monitor-capable videocard
Two 120GB 7200rpm IDE hard drives
Windows XP Professional using NTFS
Dell PS/2 mouse
4X DVD+RW/+R (allows for DVD and CD burning)
48X CDROM
3 Year Hardware Support
*Memory will be supplemented by 2 DDR 1GB Unbuffered Non-ECC sticks
purchased separately 'cause they're much cheaper that way.
I have a few questions in particular:
--We're currently planning to get IDE drives. Would it be worth it to get the vastly more expensive SCSI drives?
--Has anyone used Matlab, SPM, the BIAC tools, etc. on a Xeon? The websites suggest it should work but that's not a guarantee.
--(most important) Is it possible to connect to the SAN, the CCN servers, and other vital machines from the Sociology-Psychology building?
Any advice would be great. Thanks! |
| 1 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| francis.favorini |
Posted - May 08 2003 : 3:51:36 PM
Daniel,
That system should be fine. A couple of notes:
- If you want to use the memory that comes with it, make sure you order non-ECC from Dell to go with what you will be adding.
- SCSI drives will be somewhat faster, especially if you configure a RAID.
- The extra CD-ROM drive isn't really necessary, since your DVD drive will read CD's.
- You might want to get the optical mouse with scroll wheel.
- Make sure you don't order the same day 4-hour support unless you really want it.
- Might want to add a surge suppressor.
You should be able to connect to the SAN from Soc-Psych unless they have a firewall set up that blocks it.
-Francis
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