7900x "business" system - need help

[tbone844]

Guys I need education.  I work in I.T. for a state government.  We're old school, and won't buy anything with the 'gaming' moniker.  We're in need of some enthusiast/extreme systems.  Minimum specs for the software we're looking at are 6900K/GTX 1080/64gig/512SSD/6TB HDD.  Yes, those are minimum.  Their recommended, I'm not even going to mention here and it's overkill for the product anyways.  We're budget conscience because it's tax payer dollars we're spending.  So here's our dilemma.  We need 5 workstations, we need to buy via lowest bidder, we can't buy used, we can't buy parts and build in house (i would totally do this if i could), we can't buy anything labeled as gaming, or anything that looks like gaming (i.e. RGB, side windows, fancy cases, water cooling).  We can't buy a Dell Alienware Area 51 basically.  It's too 'gaming' but would TOTALLY meet the specs.  Besides boutique custom build companies like Maingear, iBuypower, Titansystems etc, I don't know who else makes systems of this level but with a business/government look.  When we purchase out of contract, we require at least 3 bids (normally 5), so once again another hurdle.  If anyone knows of 3-5 companies that build super HEDT's for businesses that aren't targeted at gaming please, please, please can you give me their names?

 

PS, we're trying to actually save tax dollars and not buy Dell's recommended $12,000+ dual Xeon/64gig ECC system that actually is a lower performing workstation, and a complete rip-off imho.  And unfortunately, it's a Windows only software suite, so no MAC Pros.

Thanks

[RadiatingLight]

I'd recommend threadripper if you can find it.

[Princess Luna]

Can't you guys buy the parts individually and put them together? the best cost-to-benefice lies in there, this is a good example of high end workstation you can put together with just under 10k for a budget... including a great monitor for workflow:

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Threadripper 1950X 3.4GHz 16-Core Processor  ($999.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: NZXT - Kraken X62 Rev 2 98.2 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  ($158.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus - ROG ZENITH EXTREME EATX TR4 Motherboard  ($539.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Corsair - Vengeance LPX 64GB (4 x 16GB) DDR4-3200 Memory  ($645.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung - 850 EVO-Series 1TB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($299.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate - Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($89.73 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate - Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($89.73 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: PNY - Quadro P6000 24GB Video Card  ($5506.99 @ PCM)
Case: Corsair - 750D ATX Full Tower Case  ($139.99 @ B&H)
Power Supply: EVGA - SuperNOVA G2 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($139.49 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft - Windows 10 Pro OEM 64-bit  ($137.89 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: LG - 34UC97-S 34.0" 3440x1440 60Hz Monitor  ($799.00 @ B&H)
Keyboard: Logitech - G610 Wired Gaming Keyboard  ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Mouse: Corsair - M65 PRO RGB FPS Wired Optical Mouse  ($45.00 @ Amazon)
Total: $9692.76
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-08-31 22:29 EDT-0400

[tbone844]

I agree with Threadripper for performance over the 7900x, but trying to sell senior management on a processor that 'just' came out, and none of our other systems are AMD powered is an uphill battle.  On that note, do you know of any companies building Threadripper systems for business?  Ones that don't come off as a 'gaming' system?  I'm trying to educate management that the hardware and specs inside are what are important, NOT how it looks.  They shot down the Alienware Area 51 simply because it doesn't look like an OptiPlex (boring, government, business). They don't know a Threadripper from a 486.

[tbone844]

quoted from OP: we can't buy used, we can't buy parts and build in house (i would totally do this if i could).   Trust me, i also showed them a $3000.00 build from pcpartspicker, their response we MUST buy a package deal.  It's a state policy to purchase from a vendor who can provide a warranty on the ENTIRE system.  We also must buy either on state contract, which means, no peace-meal parts, and if we bid out, we must have an entire system quoted to us by 3-5 companies.  Your tax dollars at work (or being wasted due to stupid policies)

[Guest]

Off the top of my head, https://www.pugetsystems.com/

I'll look for a few more. Their site is as vanilla looking as it gets.

[Princess Luna]

3 minutes ago, tbone844 said:

.

If you have to go x299 you'll need to wait the last CPUs to come out since I don't think the 7900x will be that much of a good investment in comparison with TR, if they are concerned about validation and all there's always the AMD EPYC line up, but if the software you'll use relies on AVX512 then the i9 7920x could prove worth it.

 

Laptops? I like Acer V Nitro Series, they perform well has good specs and looks quite professional.

 

Any ways I'm not from the US but for the company I work when we had to make 2 workstations I just explained to my boss how the best performing computer for the money would be the one they let me build shopping on the internet, thank god mine were very open mind and allowed me to.

 

 

[Princess Luna]

3 minutes ago, tbone844 said:

)

Meh public departments sucks, I like the private initiative better

 

As I said i'm from Germany so I can't help you with your local possible business partners on this, I do wish you luck though.

[tbone844]

3 minutes ago, Legendarypoet said:

Off the top of my head, https://www.pugetsystems.com/

I'll look for a few more. Their site is as vanilla looking as it gets.

You're awesome, that's what I'm looking for!!!... More of this!  Thank you sir.

[Guest]

https://www.boxx.com/products/workstations

 

http://www.avadirect.com/custom-workstation-computers

 

http://www.thinkmate.com/systems/workstations/vsx

 

I cannot vouch for any of those companies as I've never used em. Just trying to find boutiques that make boring black boxes on the outside.

[tbone844]

2 minutes ago, Princess Cadence said:

Meh public departments sucks, I like the private initiative better

 

As I said i'm from Germany so I can't help you with your local possible business partners on this, I do wish you luck though.

agreed, started working for state government 2 years ago.. Prior to that, i was in private industry, and NEVER had an issue buying.  We saved more money shopping around, and being free to buy from who we wanted WAY more than i'm seeing in government.  But they pay is actually really good, so can't complain.

[tbone844]

1 minute ago, Legendarypoet said:

https://www.boxx.com/products/workstations

 

http://www.avadirect.com/custom-workstation-computers

 

http://www.thinkmate.com/systems/workstations/vsx

 

I cannot vouch for any of those companies as I've never used em. Just trying to find boutiques that make boring black boxes on the outside.

Dude, if you literally just did some google search for those companies, wth did you search for?  I've been looking for 4 days now on google, and can't find anything besides the 'fancier' boutiques.

[Guest]

I mostly searched for CAD, Render Workstations, and also GSA contract PC vendors.

[tbone844]

Just now, Legendarypoet said:

I mostly searched for CAD, Render Workstations, and also GSA contract PC vendors.

Good call adding GSA, never thought of that.  And i'm in the military... bleh.  What you provided is awesome, and should get me through to the bidding war phase.  THANK YOU

[Guest]

No problem. I know what you're going through, lol.

Best of luck.

[tbone844]

we're hiring!  if interested