6 replies to this topic

[dav]

Hi Guys,

I want to buy a new computer for principally GIS analysis. Unfortunately I do not have any idea on this topic. Usually users buy workstations for such issues. But do I really need a certified (CAD)-Workstation for GIS analysis? What are the components that are important for (faster) GIS-analysis?
If I'm right, I don't really need a powerful graphic card, no? Nearly all (raser-based) GIS analysis are based on 2d-calculations.
Even if most GIS do not support 64 bit natively or multi-core calculations, it's better to buy one, right?

Someone recommended the following system:
ASUS P8P67, 8 GB RAM, Intel Core i7-2600/K , Sapphire Radeon HD 5670 , and a SSD.
Would you alter something in this set?

Any suggestion will be very helpful for me, because I'm totally clueless on this subject.

How do your systems look like?

thanks,

dav

[David Medeiros]

You need a big hard drive, fast processor and a lot of on board memory. Of these the on board memory is critical and probably makes the biggest noticeable performance difference. You should not need a "workstation" just a well equipped desktop PC.

[dav]

You need a big hard drive, fast processor and a lot of on board memory. Of these the on board memory is critical and probably makes the biggest noticeable performance difference. You should not need a "workstation" just a well equipped desktop PC.

thanks very much!

but are the different GIS (ArcGIS, SAGA, GRASS GIS, SEXTANTE via gvSIG, ILWIS, IDRISI, etc.) able to use that much memory? because they do not support 64 bit natively. How much RAM would you recommend? more than 8GB ?

Thanks,

dav

[Hans van der Maarel]

but are the different GIS (ArcGIS, SAGA, GRASS GIS, SEXTANTE via gvSIG, ILWIS, IDRISI, etc.) able to use that much memory? because they do not support 64 bit natively. How much RAM would you recommend? more than 8GB ?

Global Mapper and Manifold come in 64-bit versions.

Even if your GIS of choice doesn't support 64-bit (yet), having lots of RAM will benefit your overall system. Applications will have a larger pool of memory to draw from and even if they can only use 3 or 4 Gb, the chance they don't have to compete with other applications for the same bit of memory is higher.

[dav]

ok thank you guys for your advices!

dav

[CentralAmericaExpe]

ok thank you guys for your advices! dav

Howdy:

This is a question that cannot be answered without first analyzing your GIS business model (i.e. what is the scope and range of your GIS business; the type and size of datasets you will work with, analyze, manipulate, create, etc, etc, etc).

If your GIS work is generally at the small watershed or urban level (scale: 1:20,000 or so), using 1 to 10 meter raster data sets,with several 10 megabyte vector layers, some raster calculations based on vector input, this could be done on a laptop, using geo tools that are light-weight and open-source. If your work is with large raster data sets in the +1 gigabyte to the terabyte level, you'll need a workstation as described above by the contributors.

I, for example, do all my field analytical work with a $2500 IBM laptop (very robust laptop for the field) with XP Pro, and open-source tools, with a 60gig op-sys drive, and 750gig mini-pocket drive, 2 gig of RAM, dual-core processor. This system is total overkill for my needs. At home-office, I've got 2 boxes custom-built, but completely the same in every way, connected by gigabit-ethernet, for storage. And, my main systems have dual screens driven by a single high-performance graphics card (I can switch between system 1 with 2 screens, then system 2 with the same 2 screens, when the other system is on stand-by).

The most important thing is keeping your DATA separated and redundant (a back-up) and connected only by the network cable (not USB external drives as a safety!), so if your power supply blows up (I've had 3 fairly expensive power supplied explode over my career), it doesn't destroy your hard drives with your life-blood on it on your other back-up: your only source of data!

On edit: i forgot to mention that I've got a large battery-back-up and electrical line conditioning/surge suppressor/voltage monitoring UPS running all my home-office systems

Good luck,
Derek-

[dav]

wow, thanks

nice overview. well the data I work with are quite big (up to 5+ gig). (also want to work with lidar in future) so a quick 64 bit system with lots of RAM will probably be the best solution. thanks for the advice with the backup system, I'll consider it and use servers for storing my data.

thank you very much!

dav