Computer question

[Lowe119]

What makes a Sun Java(tm) Workstation W2100z with Java Desktop System worth $7,652?? Is it the 64-bit processing? Everything else seems like a $1,500 computer. I have never heard of these before.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=11224&item=5745977000

[Lowe119]

More here:

http://www.sun.com/desktop/workstation/w2100z/index.jsp

[spyderchick]

The graphics card look to be the fastest out there...big $$$, 16 GIG of memory (what?), and dual processors.

Sounds like something a research lab would use to crunch algorythyms, but also, could make a grand gaming gesture.  ;D

This is commercial stuff, not for the home user.

[Lowe119]

NVIDIA says the video card is top of the line, but the specs are the same as the Gforce 6800.
Graphics Core 256-bit
Memory Interface 256-bit
Memory Bandwidth aroung 30GB/sec.

Must be something I'm missing.

The processors are only 2.4Ghz? There must be something special that makes them better than the 3.+ ones out there...... Is it the 64-bit thing? Is the system bus the bottleneck that makes the 2.4 faster than a 3+?

[spyderchick]

The AMD processors are $799 retail EACH.
The rest of it is all about performance. The motherboard has the architecture to handle all the performance needs, including that whopping RAM, and the dual processing. That must cost a few $$. Then you have the SUN loaded software ( 3 types of 32 bit OSs, 1 64 bit OS, a 64 bit server platform and the SUN office suite), There's your price point. It also has a 550 watt power supply, so they expect you to USE the thing.  

Gamers can build a decent system for under $3500 including enough cooling and mods to meet their needs.

[spyderchick]

Oh, and AMDs tend to benchmark much faster than most comparable Intel chips. AMD has had a better handle on the whole dual processing thing as well. I'd like to see the numbers on this puppy. ;) ;D

[Lowe119]

I'd like to see the numbers on this puppy. ;) ;D

http://www.sun.com/desktop/workstation/w2100z/benchmarks.html

It's all pretty Greek to me, though

[Lowe119]

Okay - I priced a Dell Precision 670 with comparable equipment and it came in at $7,000.