[Staging #BDC-768289]: RE: 20080203: LDM package (SOS)

Hi Luis,

re:
> I have been working in Dell’s web site to identify computers that may fit
> the list of requirements that you gave me a couple of weeks ago.
> 
> By going through the “higher education store”, I found a couple of 64-bit
> models with a cost of nearly $4,600 and $2,700, both in US dollars. The
> former has a Quad Core Xeon processor of 3GHz while the latter has a
> Core2 Duo processor (3GHz).

I am surprised at the difference in cost between these two machines!

> For both cases, I customized computers with RedHat Enteprise Linux version
> 5. Actually, beyond windows vista or xp, this is the only other option for
> an operating system offered by the manufacturer. I understand that I can
> install, by myself, Fedora 8.

Is Dell charging for the RedHat Enterprise 5 installation?

> Among the other options, I selected 4GB memory and a 512MB PCIe NVidia
> graphics card.

Very good.  I think you will appreciate having 4 GB of RAM.  I know that
I do on the machine I run at home...

What is the cost difference between a PCIe NVidia card with 256 MB of video
RAM and one with 512 MB?  If the savings is substantial, you might want to
drop back to the 256 MB version.  I say this for 2 reasons:

- none of our software takes advantage of > 256 MB of RAM yet.  On the
  other hand, the dual monitor DVI capability of the 512 MB card might
  be very nice :-)

- you can always retro fit the machine with an upgraded video card in the
  future.  If past trends continue, the cost of a 512 MB video card will
  drop dramatically in a year or two.

> It seems that the computer with the Xeon processor is closer to your
> recommendations; however, I would like to consider the Core2 Duo machine.
> Part of what I want to anticipate is the increase of cost when I get the
> quote from a distributor in Mexico. Normally, they will add taxes and
> custom-related charges that I can not estimate at this time.

I understand completely!

> I would like to know your comments and, just in case, I include a copy of
> the whole list of choices I selected for the "cheap" machine. It is a
> one-page, pdf document with a summary of the system options.

Given the large price difference, I would also recommend the Core2 Duo machine.
Everything else looks good.  The only item that I would think about _if_ it
saved money is the video card.  A 256 MB PCIe Nvidia card might be all you
need for the near to intermediate future.

Cheers,

Tom
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Ticket Details
===================
Ticket ID: BDC-768289
Department: Support IDD
Priority: Normal
Status: Closed