opendx-users,
Some colleagues and I are designing a bioinformatics platform that includes
a "high-end" graphics component for visualizing (in 3-D) large numbers of
gene expression profiles. The graphical interface that we have decided to
use is OpenDX. Our current plan is to generate 3-D "topo" maps that
graphically represent the expression 12,000-15,000 X-Y-Z data points at
nine different time points.
For this reason we will soon purchase a relatively expensive computer
($5,300-$6,300). At this point we have narrowed our workstation
possibilities down to two choices that differ in price by more than
$800. Brief descriptions of these two workstations are included below.
My questions are these: Can you provide me with any feedback (pros and/or
cons) regarding the compatibility of OpenDX with either of the two
workstation configurations described below? Are there any reasons that you
know of that the Micron workstation described below--which is $800
cheaper--might be sub-optimal for visualizing large data sets using
OpenDX? Any other suggestions/feedback you have would also be greatly
appreciated.
WORKSTATION A
Model: Micron ClientPro 525
Processor: Intel Pentium4, 2.53GHz (512K cache)
Memory: 2048MB PC800 RDRAM-4 RIMMs
Hard Drive #1: 40GB ATA-100 (7200RPM)
Hard Drive #2: 40GB ATA-100 (7200RPM)
CD Drive #1: 52x Variable Speed CD-ROM
CD Drive #2: 40x10x40x CDRW
Floppy Drive: 1.44MB 3.5" Floppy Drive
Graphics Card: 64MB DDR nVidia Geforce4 MX460 AGP Card, w/TV-out and DVI
Monitor: 21" Sony Trinitron Display (19.8" viewable, .24mm AG)
Add'l Network Card: Intel Pro/1000 MT Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000) PCI
Software: Microsoft 2000 Professional (OS), Microsoft Office 2000 Professional
WORKSTATION B
Model: Dell Precision 530
Processor: Intel Xeon Processor, 2.20GHz,512K Cache
Memory: 2GB Memory with Riser PC800 ECC RDRAM (4 RIMMS)
Hard Drive #1: 20GB ATA-100 IDE, 1 inch (7200 rpm)
Hard Drive #2: 80GB ATA-100 IDE (7200 rpm)
CD Drive #1: 20/48X IDE CD-ROM
CD Drive #2: 40x10x40x CD Read-Write
Floppy Drive: 1.44MB 3.5" Floppy Drive
Graphics Card: nVidia Quadro4 900XGL, 128MB, VGA/DVI (dual monitor
capable) ATI
Monitor: 21" Dell (19.86" vis) P1130 Monitor
Add'l Network Card: Intel Pro/1000 XT, Gigabit PCI NIC
Software: Microsoft XP Professional (OS), Microsoft Office XP Professional
Thank you for your time,
Rob
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Robert M. Alba
Research Associate
Giovannoni Lab
Boyce Thompson Institute
(607) 254-1259
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