help explain some high spec computers!

[and123rew]

hi okay basically im looking into getting a new desktop for my university course im going into the third year of architecture now i no enough about computers to get by but im a bit lost and need some help on understanding a few things

i want a good spec computer ive got about 700 to spend due to the computer programmes i use they take up alot of processor ram and graphic power so i need something descent using some of the programmes are like playing a top spec game lol

anyway what is the difference between a desktop pc and a workstation? i've had a look on the net and they say that a top spec pc is about as good as a low end workstation and that a top end workstation is as good as a mini computer does anyone want to elaborate??

also in architecture they use xeon processors what is the difference between for example a duo core 3.0Ghz normal intel processor and a xeon 2.4 duo core because even tho the speed is slower they are so much more expensive!

also if i put up too different computers one desktop pc and one workstation can some one please tell the difference between them, they will be roughly the same price

thanks all!! reps given
normal comp
http://www.europc.co.uk/pages/produc...spx?PID=113388
work station
http://www.europc.co.uk/pages/Produc...aspx?PID=98766

[and123rew]

hasnt anyone got there thinking heads on them tonight lol

[Richard_279]

Any examples of the type of prgrams you will be using?

because the workstation has a Nvidia Quadro FX550 graphics card which is mainly used for 3D design and stuff

And the normal pc has a 8800gtx mailny for gaming

[and123rew]

okay i will be using autocad mainly for the 2d side of things

then 3d i will be using sketchup 3ds max revit kerkythea and a few others which are rendering programmes also

basically 3ds max revit and autocad are very consumming needs atleast 4gb of ram for proper use aswell as processors etc and then for really nice rendering a good graphics card

[Richard_279]

Well if its ram you need id go for the Xps due to it having 4gb ram, 1tb harddrive space enough for all your work music and personal stuff,and a core 2 quad which i think is quicker than the Xeon in the workstation, and the graphics from the 8800gtx is well enough for general use, can be used for high end gaming, and should be able to take a beating from cad programs,
Sorry if thats a long read

[MarkyG]

I'd seriously build one from scratch instead of giving Dell the money. Buy the parts separately and then build it up, can get better value for money if you shop around for the good prices

Noticed that neither of these systems come with an O/S, so you will be paying more in the end anyway on top of what they want for either of those systems. I'd go Core2Quad though for definite, and if you want fast RAM for imaging, i'd go for DDR3 Ram. Lightning quick

[immense]

Have a look on Overclockers, I got mine from there prebuilt - very high spec mind, worked out only a bit more in cost than to build it myself with the same parts.

[Scottp]

Workstations are a different league to desktops (im speaking from an HP point of view here)

In general your looking at more power, better boards, better power supply, error correcting memory and for most who use workstations the most important thing is certification.

Workstations are made to be effectively better at handling proper intensive programs rather than games that you can run on consumer cards like the GTX, workstations are designed to run on more intensive cards and supply the power and cooling to them.

Processors generally your going from the top end core2/core2quad up to Xeons and AMD equivalents.

Workstations always should be using ECC memory, anything that isnt isnt a workstation. Error correcting memory on the face of it doesnt do much but what it might do in terms of a proffessional using the machine makes it invaluable.

Im not saying you couldnt build your own high end desktop and go from there. Your issue is with certifications. The latest editions of Autodesk etc... will ONLY be supported on certified machines. I.e. you can build your beefy machine with your GTX card, if something goes wrong and you ring Autodesk etc... your going to get nothing from them as its A: not a supported graphics card and B: not a supported platform.

if your serious about using the machine yourself to actually do work then read up on your applications and whats certified. If not then buy whatever or build yourself