New Computer - How to best optimize hardware architecture for massive databases?

[aa45955]

I'm planning to buy a new computer soon and I need some help choosing components.

This will be a pure workstation, and it needs to do all of the following simultaneously:

3 poker sites open
Up to 30 tables running HUDed
Multi-million hand database on Holdem Manager actively importing and being refreshed and viewed constantly
Web browsing up to 20 tabs including multiple embedded video etc
Music
IM

All of that simultaneously.

Which system components should I be spending the bulk of my budget on to make that every day session run as smoothly as possible?

I'm asking here specifically because I want the hardware to complement Holdem Manager as well as it possibly can.

More specific questions would be:

-What kind of processor works best with a huge HEM database? Intel i7 or some Xeon setup?
-How much RAM is too much RAM for that kind of multitasking, and am I wasting my money going for the Ballistix stuff that claims to be faster?
-Is a video card even necessary for the session I described above?

Thanks for any help you can give me.

[The Minder]

I have a feeling that no matter what configuration you build it will not handle the dream list you specified... there are too many variables you haven't considered.

[netsrak]

This should work: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26enkCzkJHQ :)

But in general i agree with The_Minder

[aa45955]

I'm not sure what The Minder meant by that? I'm sure there's a computer that can handle the session I described.

My current PC with Intel i7 920, 3GB RAM, "moving parts" HD runs a session just like that minus 6 tables with a few hundred thousand hand database every day. It gets slow a few times a day with occasional timeouts and crashes but it's manageable

This is what I've put together so far based on research in this forum:

-Dual SSD (2x Intel 80GB models) in RAID
-Intel i7 920
-6GB (3x2GB) GSKILL RAM

Am I right to believe those are the most important components to spend money on for the session I described?

Is there any reason to be looking for more than 6GB RAM?

My plan is to use the on-board audio/video with this GIGABYTE motherboard (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128413) and all the Windows 7 settings stripped down to performance level, see how that goes and season to taste

[The Minder]

I'm not going to go into a full tech explanation, however here are some things you might consider.

1. More than 4Gb RAM on a 32 bit O/S is pointless as the O/S can't see memory above 4Gb. 64 bit O/Ss can see way beyond 4Gb and hence tend to be loaded with at least 8Gb. Unfortunately, applications (like HM, postgres, browsers etc) are not coded to use this additional RAM so having huge amounts of RAM is like dating a fat chick. Lots to look at, but......

2. From what you said it would appear that you're going to place a heavy demand on your internet connection and it's hardware. You can have the most powerful computer in the world, but if it hooks to the internet with a dial up modem then it's not going anywhere. Why did you not mention your analysis of your internet hardware?

3. I think using the on board video is an error and demonstrates just how little you've thought about this. I doubt you're going to drive your fabulous system to a single monitor (unless you can afford an LCD that fills an entire wall) so you'll need a video card to handle dual (at least) monitors. Having a dedicated video card (or two) will take a lot of load off the CPU and RAM. After all, you are looking for performance... right?

4. I make no comment about the human ability to keep up with what you propose.

[aa45955]

Thanks TheMinder

1 The stuff about 32/64bit OS and RAM is useful stuff I didn't know

2 I have cable. Frequent download rates are up to 1MB/s, not sure about upload but it's big, and my latencies are mostly always below 150ms. So the connection is fine. If anyone here knows anything about a setup that could use 2 internet connections and seamlessly switch to the backup connection in the event that the first connection failed (seamlessly, to the extent that you could unplug my primary connection and it'd switch right to the secondary without even sitting me out on any tables?) then I'd be interested

3 I wasn't planning on a dual or multi monitor setup, and have no need or interest in one. Is there still any reason for me to get a video card?

[The Minder]

New hardware is very rarely the answer to a computer problem.

Find out why your system becomes slow (perhaps it happens about the time kids get home from school, or you go to that mega-porn site??). Find out why it crashes (eg, do you run Flash videos in Firefox).

Cable sucks. Too many people in close proximity sucking off the same pipe.

Forget about a backup internet connection... you're looking at >$5,000 to even do it half good.

Single monitor huh and on board graphics. There's one reason why your current system might slow/crash. :)

[Patvs]

What you need:
-6 (preferably MORE: 8 or 9 GB) RAM with a x64 Windows.
-Intel i5 (or i7)
-A quality mouse and keyboard (both often overlooked)
-a SSD harddisk (which will be the most expensive component for you): 2x 80 GB Intel X25-M G2 in RAID0 or 1x 160 GB Intel X25-M G2.


What you don't need:
-XEON or even i7 (no software supports hyper-threading anyways)
-an expensive videocard: but I'd still put a nice RADEON 5700 series in, instead of using an onboard videocard.
-faster internet.
-12 GB RAM or more and you don't need DDR3-1800+ or ridiculous "fast" or "low latency" RAM.


You should be able to build your supercomputer for less than $1800, that INCLUDES a legal Windows 7 x64.