Number Cruncher

[Thrashdragon]

So since I work on a computer (even though I'm a designer, not an IT guy), this apparently makes me knowledgeable about all things computerish, and my boss wants me to pick out a new computer for our sister company.

Since I have only ever paid attention to video cards and RAM, thought I'd ask the gurus here.

Its primary function will be number-crunching huge mail merge data files through Excel. What component needs to be the strongest? The processor? Would a lot of RAM help (I'm looking at 2GBs minimum, but more is not a problem)?

It unfortunately has to be a Dell as we have some horrendously expensive service contract with them, so I can't custom build one outside of the options on their site.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[ryanbatc]

The CPU

Dang I havent looked at any Dells recently, but if they only crunch numbers I'd go with XP Pro, with 2GB of RAM, and when you get XP, be sure to turn off all those effects that make it look pretty.

So, for a non-OCed system, I'd either go Intel E6850 or Q6600, unless you can wait for newer cpu's coming out

[TheSilentAssassin]

Ya, I would have to say the CPU is the most important part. In my opinion, RAM comes next (easiest to upgrade, and usually the least expensive way to increase performance), then the GPU.

[Cain]

cpu

[Ghost_Rain]

CPU

[Thrashdragon]

Thanks, I ordered it a few days ago, went with a Q6600. It was kind of depressing to order a system that powerful with a crappy video card, but the owner of the company knows better than to put a decent one in there.

[mapes]

The CPU

Dang I havent looked at any Dells recently, but if they only crunch numbers I'd go with XP Pro, with 2GB of RAM, and when you get XP, be sure to turn off all those effects that make it look pretty.

So, for a non-OCed system, I'd either go Intel E6850 or Q6600, unless you can wait for newer cpu's coming out

CPU and RAM doesn't hurt... for number crunching I'd stay away from windows and use a unix variant

[CarbonFire]

The CPU

Dang I havent looked at any Dells recently, but if they only crunch numbers I'd go with XP Pro, with 2GB of RAM, and when you get XP, be sure to turn off all those effects that make it look pretty.

So, for a non-OCed system, I'd either go Intel E6850 or Q6600, unless you can wait for newer cpu's coming out

CPU and RAM doesn't hurt... for number crunching I'd stay away from windows and use a unix variant

While I'd agree on principal, I'd say that's not going to work in this case. From what Thrash stated, this computer's main function is to process huge mail merge files through Excel. While Windows certainly isn't the most efficient OS around, you certainly don't want to go dinking around with MS Office programs in non-Windows environments....Office is already fragile enough as it is

Good choice on the CPU Thrash, that should do nicely

[mapes]

The CPU

Dang I havent looked at any Dells recently, but if they only crunch numbers I'd go with XP Pro, with 2GB of RAM, and when you get XP, be sure to turn off all those effects that make it look pretty.

So, for a non-OCed system, I'd either go Intel E6850 or Q6600, unless you can wait for newer cpu's coming out

CPU and RAM doesn't hurt... for number crunching I'd stay away from windows and use a unix variant

While I'd agree on principal, I'd say that's not going to work in this case. From what Thrash stated, this computer's main function is to process huge mail merge files through Excel. While Windows certainly isn't the most efficient OS around, you certainly don't want to go dinking around with MS Office programs in non-Windows environments....Office is already fragile enough as it is

Good choice on the CPU Thrash, that should do nicely

Thats what I get for not reading the entire post. Your right.