The new intel i7 processors with a X58 chipset mother board is hard to beat these days. The triple-channel memory architecture is a big boost as long as you populate the modules in sets of 3 -- an "upgrade of 3GB(3x1GB) to 4GB(2x2GB) RAM will result in reduced performance.
I'm a Western Digital HD fan - Seagates are too noisy.
Video - If you are using LightRoom avoid nvidia cards. Otherwise get the best you can afford. $ and performance is a pretty linear scale in the video arena.
Thanks for your replay MBehrens,
I am sort of looking at Dual Xeon or Dual Opteron's again, the Intel certainly has it going for them. Both AMD and Intel is, are they not always, about to release a couple a new CPU's, AMD's Istanbul which is a 6 core cpu and intel with their Xeon i7, forgot the model number, but its faster then the previous one ;-)
Why go for the dual processor platform, well because there i can add more ram, above 24gb, at least that is the idea.
having said that, the cost of workstation grade computers are quite expensive...eg my dual Opteron cost 2-3 times more then my Quadcore Intel box, not quite comparing apples with apples here but still. However benchmarking them, there is only 10% performance difference, with the advantage to the Opteron.
I guess we can all live the a 10% performance hit, and save $5-8k, but there is something about the Opteron, the way it feels, the way it response that makes it so much nicer to use. its a bit like sitting in a Marc and a Glof GTI, both a great drives, but the Merc is just that much smoother, probably a bad analogy.
So why the question, Henrik? You know the answer ......hmm, well, this next box is going to last me the next 3-5 years, with minor upgrades to it. So, I like to get it right and is therefore seeking opinions.
Going for the Dual processor/workstation option, is more expensive, but I have more options for upgrading, in particular when it comes to memory. there will be 2x4cores and perhaps 12 cores the following year (if I go intel, then most likely one would have to replace the mainboard, as the socket will be different, but with AMD, they support their socket for a longer period, in this case socket F and will support their next 6 core processors)
If I went for the desktop version, it would most likely be an Intel i7, not even considering AMD there. cheaper, and I guess i could upgrade the whole rig more often, but I still can only add 24gb of ram.
For the mac people here, peeking in, the Dual Processor workstation is the equivalent to your MacPro.
hmm, I will have to add it all up. I will be using this a lot
thanks all for looking ;-)
Henrik
PS: MBehrens, if you fill all the memory slots the clock speed will also drop :-) therefore you are better off getting 3x4GB sticks over 6x2GB sticks in the x58 board. In my case this is not enough, I want more ram :-)