Dual-processor Xeon workstation: DIY or OEM?

[Rock-kun]

Just wondering; if I want to splurge on a dual-processor Xeon workstation with at least four HDD bays (no SSDs) and 64 - 128GB of ECC DDR4 memory, will it be cheaper to DIY one, or to buy from an OEM like HP, Dell and Lenovo?

If DIY, which vendors sell dual-processor boards and ECC memory, and where can I get them locally? And where can I get an EATX chassis large enough to house all the parts?

 

[it_geek]

Over the long run, you might be better off getting a workstation from an established company like Dell, Lenovo or HP.


The on-site warranty is a ++++ and you need it for long

 

[Rock-kun]

Over the long run, you might be better off getting a workstation from an established company like Dell, Lenovo or HP.


The on-site warranty is a ++++ and you need it for long

But these monsters are typically meant to be used for at least a decade, an OEM only provides up to three years warranty and then they'll happily tell you to buy a new monstrosity or you're on your own.

And the proprietary workstation boards used by OEMs are timebombs of sorts. Look at how close the ram sticks are located to the CPU heatsink; they are almost kissing...

 

[enenyi]

Just wondering; if I want to splurge on a dual-processor Xeon workstation with at least four HDD bays (no SSDs) and 64 - 128GB of ECC DDR4 memory, will it be cheaper to DIY one, or to buy from an OEM like HP, Dell and Lenovo?

If DIY, which vendors sell dual-processor boards and ECC memory, and where can I get them locally? And where can I get an EATX chassis large enough to house all the parts?

Is it for personal or enterprise?

If enterprise, better to get OEM warranty coverage. Since not your money anyway, company pay for warranty service.

If personal, u can try to find off Carousell/ebay/Taobao/Amazon. RAM u might find it cheaper buying second-hand ECC RAM. Chassis just get a full Tower will do. Most full Towers have enough clearance to house EATX and larger boards.

 

[Rock-kun]

Is it for personal or enterprise?

If enterprise, better to get OEM warranty coverage. Since not your money anyway, company pay for warranty service.

Personal dah...

If for office use it's immediately OEM without even thinking twice. Don't want to be held responsible for incompatible components or odd issues down the road.

 

[it_geek]

Personal dah...

If for office use it's immediately OEM without even thinking twice. Don't want to be held responsible for incompatible components or odd issues down the road.

if nothing, get the 5 year extended warranty. Lenovo offers this.


I don't think you can get a better warranty elsewhere.


If you are splashing a lot on your workstation, you can possibly write into to negotiate for a longer warranty. Just tell them how much more you want topay.


I will agree that it's supposed to be used for a minimum of 10 years.


Can think about it.

 

[Ark Law]

If DIY, which vendors sell dual-processor boards and ECC memory, and where can I get them locally? And where can I get an EATX chassis large enough to house all the parts?

Try Ingram Micro?

 

[ondooy]

for personal use.
you don't need ECC, can use desktop ddr4
you don't need a case, can use open air
you don't need EATX, can select ATX
you don't need to buy OEM, can buy from anywhere cheap, assemble yourself.

Spoiler

i myself have several 2P workstations.

 

[-Synchronicity-]

Why not consider VPS? Unless you need the whole server to yourself. If so, can consider cloud services? At least you don't need to do the physical maintenance including the electricity bill.

 

[nwh_sg]

for personal use.
you don't need ECC, can use desktop ddr4
you don't need a case, can use open air
you don't need EATX, can select ATX
you don't need to buy OEM, can buy from anywhere cheap, assemble yourself.

ondooy, may I know what mobo is that?

 

[Phelan]

When you buy the case, make sure to check when it says it can fit an EATX mobo, check the max size it can fit. Workstation E-ATX motherboards are usually full sized, up to 33cm wide. My R6 while it says it can fit E-ATX, it can only fit up to 285mm sized boards.

 

[Solo_Apple]

X99A + a multicore process you are good to go.

Really depends on what you are trying to do.

 

[tmfwy]

Just wondering; if I want to splurge on a dual-processor Xeon workstation with at least four HDD bays (no SSDs) and 64 - 128GB of ECC DDR4 memory, will it be cheaper to DIY one, or to buy from an OEM like HP, Dell and Lenovo?

If DIY, which vendors sell dual-processor boards and ECC memory, and where can I get them locally? And where can I get an EATX chassis large enough to house all the parts?

If you are knowledgeable to support it, DIY

If lazy to build / support it or if support is unnecessary extra workload, OEM it.
the latter comment in a commercial environment
Some SMEs will ask you to save money go DIY it coz u seem knowledgeable enough to build it. End up that workstation becomes your baby.

If buying for a bigger corporation, no need to ask. OEM it.

 

[Fatfool]

Still need 2P meh? Perhaps a 1P EPYC setup?

 

[Rock-kun]

Cost is the deciding factor. Have not crunched any numbers yet, but OEMs have volume which consumer retailers do not enjoy, so OEM should be significantly cheaper?

Anyway, even if I DIY, i don't know any vendors that produce and sell dual proc boards.

 

[tmfwy]

Cost is the deciding factor. Have not crunched any numbers yet, but OEMs have volume which consumer retailers do not enjoy, so OEM should be significantly cheaper?

Anyway, even if I DIY, i don't know any vendors that produce and sell dual proc boards.

no.

OEM is more expensive because of the support factor.
If you DIY, you eat the support factor so the tangible costs become less...

You can ask your fav SLS vendor to special order the parts for you.
Last time, there was this shop beside the 4th floor toilet, behind Cybermind, that does server parts.

 

[Fatfool]

no.

OEM is more expensive because of the support factor.
If you DIY, you eat the support factor so the tangible costs become less...

You can ask your fav SLS vendor to special order the parts for you.
Last time, there was this shop beside the 4th floor toilet, behind Cybermind, that does server parts.

Chamoxa? 10 chars

 

[tmfwy]

Chamoxa? 10 chars

Yah. Chamoxa!
Haven't patronised them for years!

Usually i just tell my sls shop what i want. When ready, i just go collect

All shops have access to the same vendors

Eg: Asus / Giga has workstation boards
Kingston has ECC Rams

The only thing that takes long are the Intel workstation boards
Userd tyo get the Tyan / Supermicro boards before just sticking to asus.

 

[nwh_sg]

Cost is the deciding factor. Have not crunched any numbers yet, but OEMs have volume which consumer retailers do not enjoy, so OEM should be significantly cheaper?

Anyway, even if I DIY, i don't know any vendors that produce and sell dual proc boards.

If cost is the deciding factor, and if you are brave enough to forgo the warranty, taobao is probably the way to go. I bought my son's Supermicro mobo from this taobao shop. https://shop34298442.taobao.com/cat...%FE%CE%F1%C6%F7%D6%F7%B0%E5&scene=taobao_shop

I communicated with the shop staff and he was nice to check the mobo (booting up) before shipping it out.

You also need to source for the Xeon CPUs. Taobao has many 2nd-hand one. Ebay too. Again, need some balls as it involves not small sum of money and those cheaper Xeons have scratches (they have different grades based on the imperfections/scratches spotted on the surface).

ECC DDR4 rams are very expensive now. So you may want to consider mobos that can take normal DDR4 instead as suggested by ondooy. I got my ECC DDR4 from Amazon when it was very cheap (compared to current price).

Basically, if want to save $, buy at own risk. But if all things work, damn shiok. For peace of mind, buy local.

 

[ragnarok95]

Whack from taobao. They are decent.