All the power comes though a conditioning UPS. Hard drives fail, just a matter of when.

I figured I was preaching to the choir but since I hadn't heard it mentioned I thought I would touch on it. I do understand that failures are inevitable.

Some quick hints:

1. All computer manufacturer support sucks unless you buy enterprise-class systems and pay for premium support. Unfortunately, this will double your price.
2. In general, server-class hardware gets better manufacturer support, and most support XP/Vista/Win7.
3. I don't like Macs, but support and video production are two areas where they generally excel.
4. You don't have to go with 64-bit Win7 just to be able to use more memory. An old trick is to use Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition, 32-bit, with SP2 can accept up to 64GB RAM and essentially uses the XP Kernal. This eliminates the potential problem of compatibility with 32-bit applications. But some software, notably anti-virus and backup utilities, will refuse to install because the publisher wants to force you to buy the more expensive server versions of these products. Also, with Server, you can have three people working on the system at once (1 on the physical keyboard/screen and two others via Remote Desktop from another desktop/notebook/netbook locally or via the Internet).
5. RAID-1 reduces performance by requiring two operations for every write, but can slightly improve read performance. Using a hardware RAID controller with on-board memory can offset this performance loss.
6. In my experience, systems with software RAID are more likely to experience failures than systems with no RAID. I'm not sure why this is, but I believe it has something to do with bad software drivers and timing issues.
7. For video editing, RAID-0 is usually preferred because this speeds both read and write performance, at the cost of reduced reliability. RAID-10 is the best balance of reliability and performance but requires at least 4 HDD's, preferably 8, and dedicated RAID controller with memory, so this is a major expense.
8. SAS (Serial-attached-SCSI) drives will provide much better performance than IDE, but again, are expensive.
9. Avoid drives slower than 7500 RPM. Stick with 10K or 15K drives if you can afford them.
10. On-Line backup services such as Carbonite offer both data protection plus the extra protection of off-site data storage at very reasonable prices.
11. Power supplies are usually the weakest link in most desktops, and could be the cause of your other prior failures.

$$$$$$ = unable

I have paid Dell for Gold/Premium/Pro support and it has been variable from good to sucks worse than no support at all



$$$$$ = unable



$$$$$ = unwilling



Unnecessary complications. Win 7 64 works fine, not prefect for sure, but gets the job done. Just me, only me, nobody but me. <g>



Always used hardware controller. Using software RAID always seemed like me to be penny wise and pound foolish.



$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ I use RAID 1 as a means to allow me to continue working and get the job done when a HDD fails, usually at the worst possible time on deadline for something critical. Any performance hit is minimal compared to the advantages. Big RAID array would be cool. but way too much $s



Plus, for large capacity, even more expensive. 1.5TB drives are close to dirt cheap now. Images and video take up lots of space.



Again, size and $$$$ constraints. The latest tech 7200 RPM drives seem to be more than adequate for anything I need.



I use Carbonite for all the computers.



It tested within spec. <shrug>

The answer is simple based on everyones replies and your replies... You want too much from what you are willing to pay.

You will never get the stability of a true workstation by going with a consumer class desktop. Not to mention 'awesome' support. As others have suggested you need to find a reliable builder have them build you what you want using QUALITY parts, and then have them offer you a 1 year warranty, and a service after that based on an hourly rate.

I build all my own systems, and use quality hardware and my systems last me 2-3 years and then my wife another 3-5. My system is approaching 3 years, and I want to get a new one but can't justify it because it's working perfect! The system my wife is on right now has been over clocked for 5 years and we are ready to replace the primary hard drive other than that no failures, and only one OS re-install. We keep our systems clean, lean and don't download anything unless we need it. Pictures are fine, but nothing installable from 'friends'... only software that is needed nothing for 'fun', and no 'browser add-ons' that cause problems.

As I see it you have 2 options.
1. Buy enterprise level workstation system from Dell and support.
2. Buy what you want from newegg and amazon and have a local builder put it together, warranty it through the manufacturer and have them provide support.

It's up to you, but you really are never going to get workstation grade performance from ANY consumer system.

Random thoughts:

1) What are you trying to get from the mfg "support"? Hardware repair, or software support?

If the latter, you are sort of hosed. Keeping Windows happy isn't something easily done over the phone, and you aren't going to be able to afford to have them simply send out a PC guy to do the day to day stuff.

If the former, I suggest you stick with Dell and buy their 4 year extended warranty and get all your hardware through them.

If you take care of the backups, and make frequent disaster recovery backups you should be set.

Basically, they'll send someone out, replace bad parts. Don't expect them to make your software work or deal with the backups -- just leave you with working hardware. Then, you restore your disaster recovery disc, restore backups, and you are on your way.

2) If you get your hw support via a mfg warranty, get all your hw through them. As soon as you start mixing and matching hw, they basically will tell you XYZ isn't supported, and you might as well not had the warranty in the first place.

3) If you need to mix and match, avoid Dell as you lose your warranty advantage, and Dell tends to use custom cases, wiring harnesses, power supplies, etc. And they tend to not provide expansion capability in their system, including power supplies just big enough handle their supported configurations.

4) Instead of using a RAID card, consider a Drobo external storage device:

http://www.drobo.com/products/index.php

Meant to be easy to use and provides easy configuration and maint.

5) If you aren't doing disaster recovery backups, start.

6) Make sure you get the Windows media with your system.

7) If you aren't getting sw support from the vendor, re-install your machines from disc as soon as you get it. They install lots of random junk and it will decrease performance and possibly increase your potential for sw issues.

8) Reset your expectations. Keeping these systems working well can be a challenge for professionals, and if you are not, and are getting part time support over the phone, it isn't going to be wonderful.

9) Install the absolute minimal amount of software possible.

10) Avoid Norton and McAffee virus checkers and get something more light weight like Vipre from Sunbelt Software.

Good luck!

-john

Hardware only.




Unfortunately, it doesn't always work that way because I can assure you that the folks they contract to run the gamut from good to worse that incompetent. I won't bore you with the disaster, other than to say Dell won't win any awards from me.




Got real excited about Drobo a few months back, did my research and discovered a LOT of continuing horror stories of total data loss and zero customer service. When it works as advertised, its' great. When it doesn't you are thoroughly screwed.

Currently looking as unRAID as a possible solution. Similar concept, perhaps better implementation. Could start off by re-purposing my existing computer as an unRAID server. Just started researching it.




yep



Always



Normally my resident geek does that we we set up a new computer.



I am lucky to have some good friends who are geeks. One or the other can usually rescue me, sooner or later.




<g> Easier said than done. I do a lot of different things, many of which require somewhat specialty software. Just the nature of what I do.



Been very happy with avast! for my AV needs, plus Spybot and Adaware



Thanks!

To get a reliable system I will generally specify good quality components i.e. Asus or Gigabyte MBs with solid capacitor power designs, with a good quality high efficiency power supply such as OCZ, coolermaster etc in a Coolermaster ATCS case. This allows me to pull out the MB for inspection and cleaning directly from the case without disassembly. To keep fans clean for reliable cooling.

The processor cooler is always over rated for the heat dissipation you can expect from the processor, even if it means a very large expensive ($50) copper heat pipe cooler with a 12cm fan i.e such as the Zalman CNPS9900. I will generally always de-clock the processor in the summer and run the processor at normal speed during the winter so that the processor is generally not any warmer than I am, i.e 37 C.

If building a RAID array internally you will need a case which can cool the drives adequately or specify the slower 5400 drives such as the newer 5400 speed ecogreen drives from Samsung or Greenpower WD drives into a RAID setup. The Coolermaster case has fans directly in the front on the hard drives. They only consume a few watts each when idle and abour 5-7 watts at full tilt. They run very cool and are cost effective and have good MTBFs and performance is not radically effected. I would use a Solid State Drive as a boot drive i.e. no moving parts for your OS disk. These SSD drives have MTBFs as good as any enterprise Scuzzy Disk and consume virtually no power again keeping the system nice and cool.

http://www.wdc.com/en/products/Products.asp?DriveID=336

Keeping the computer cool, quiet and efficient does wonders for reliability and there should be no reason why a well specified PC shouldn't run smoothly for 5+ years.

The Althon XP 2800/Asus A7N8X deluxe with Windows XP I'm using at the moment is getting on for 7 years old with its 120Gb WD Boot drive and 200GB RAID drive setup.

BTW I don't ever intend to buy any other Microsoft OS ever again, simply because Microsoft made me pay for Windows XP to fix the problems caused by Windows 98SE. I reckon Microsoft should have paid me the same amount it cost me to fix Windows 98SE for the time and expense of using Windows 98SE along with a written apology. I can't believe they actually have the cheek to ask folks to pay for Windows 7, which is essentially a stripped down Windows Vista in an attempt to make the Vista code stable and reliable. It should be given away free with a letter of apology for all the poor Vista users along with a postal order of $200 value.

First thing I would do is get rid of the MS operating system. Switching to Linux can greatly increase reliability. And it's free in most cases. There are a lot of really good reasons that most major servers aren't running an OS from MS. Security and reliability are just the tip of the iceberg.

Second, a suspect that a simple RAID 0 array would be fine. Your not talking about an uber-gamer who needs to worry about split-second response. A few extra ms on a write cycle isn't much of a burden in this case.

Third, while there is a tendency to go to huge HDs if they aren't needed, in part because the site is held on a central server, your just wasting money. Unless you tend to store an extensive picture collection, or a somewhat less extensive video collection, most people can get along fine with a 250GB drive. Adjust up or down as seems reasonable. With the money saved you can buy a DVD writer and use them for backup. Make two copies and store one off site.

Smaller drives also promote replacing them every few years. Which gives you a lot of advantages. The cost per GB has fallen drastically and looks like it will continue to do so. When I started 250MB, not GB, was a weeks wage. Half a terabyte, 2000 times as much space, is now a similar price. Replacement and copying to a new drive is a good time to review contents and cull out the dead wood. It also means you get better reliability because you replace them before they can fail or fill. And replacing them every few years means you can take advantage of new technology, speed, reliability as they become available.

This thread may get more opinionated than which knife is best, but I shall throw in my $0.02...

Video editing = Mac.

I was always a "PC" until two years ago, and work is still PC. I have an HP Laptop that has been totally reliable. I can rely on it to fail at the worst possible moment in the field. As such, I bought a Toughbook CF-30, and have never had a dime of problems since. Well, at least until I went to work for someone else, and they issued me a Dell seven weeks ago. It has now had THREE HDD in said seven weeks. I now backup to both an external HDD and the Toughbook daily and the HP weekly, plus the company server whenever I see the office (darn rare, that).

Since you want MS Windows also (some things are windows only), get a Mac for Video editing and just run VM Ware and load MS Windows on also. The great thing about Mac is Apple Care and The Genius Bar. Online or in person help available everywhere there is an Apple store.

Failing that, make the PC purchase at Best Buy, and buy the protection plan. Most, but not all, of the Geek Squad folks are very helpful.

Frankly, given you already have a Toughbook, I would invest the $$$$$ in a good monitor, docking station, and keyboard/mouse. Coke proof, portable, and a big screen for around the office.