Thanks Michael, I understood the post :-)
Here is what I figure with 12GB Ram.(See system build below)
The SSD Is something down the line when it is mainstream with the faster write.
For now I will make the scratch disk across 2 10K drives (I have 3 10k drives, but I might want to use one for the OS). btw...Acronis Backup software makes moving things around very easy.
So for $1500, I get much more at newegg than I would at Dell(Major price is putting it together myself).
Costing with $200-300 more than the Dell starting point.
Plekto...8GB is enough, I might agree. but doesn't the file size matter? Lets say you have a 1.5 GB file that has bunch of layers..Doesn't continuing the work on it, having the options to undo, and even making more layers etc take more and more? And at what point does the 8GB get maXXXed out? Doesn't the fact that I have C1 open, and Acrobat, and InDesign, Color calibration software, ACDSeePro(For those ditching Bridge) also tax my RAM? considering I did clear out all the junk that StartsUp on boot, like QuickTime and the few others.
Using dual screen, I am always going back and forth between ACDSeePro2.5 and CS4. How about a number of plug-ins that are installed...(even if I dont use 85% of them).
So where does the RAM get tapped out for scratch?
Michael, the case I have is max... I have a Mid tower with 7drives stuffed in it, the Mobo as we discuss needs to change, the ram does also. Your numbers sound good, say $400 I should be good to go.
So the options are....
$400-500 (I think I would be happy with 12GB DDR2 ram) for mobo and ram...plus all the time to clear the mobo and install new, with new ram, and reconnect all else, and do a clean install of a new OS, with ALL the software and tweaks(easy 1-2day project). This will keep my Core2Quad Q9650 cpu.
OR
$1500 for All new gear with i7 3.0ghz 950cpu, and lots of extras(See image below) with 12GB DDR3 of RAM maxing out the mobo....plus repeat...all the time to clear the mobo and install new, with new ram, and reconnect all else, and do a clean install of a new OS, with ALL the software and tweaks(easy 1-2day project).
both systems would carry over my drives...10K on OS, and 2x 10K for Scratch (how much faster is 3drives vs2) ..all 6TB data on eSATA using the 4drives-in3bay enclosures +2 in the case.
lets not count the 6TB RIAD backup I need to finish installing FREENAS on..(I never bought so many WD black caviar drives:-)
This makes me wonder how much a difference in speed my 1st option is vs the second.