For a similar configuration for HP unit, I am estimating RM16k.

I would say, your processor of choice is very unwise.

Let me give you comparisons for 2 of my workstation builds that I configure for my company ( I prefer to buy from HP):

1. HP Z640

Intel Xeon E5-2630 v3 ( 8 cores, 2.4Ghz)
64GB DDR4 RDIMM ECC
Nvidia Quadro K2200 4GB
2TB SATA Harddisk
128GB SATA SSD
23inch Z series monitor
Win 7 pro license
925W power supply

All in for less than RM10k in September 2015 .

2. HP Z240

Intel Xeon E3-1245 v5 ( 4 cores, 3.5Ghz with integrated intel graphics)
32GB Non ECC DDR4 RAM ( 16GB X2)
AMD Firepro W5100 4GB
2TB Harddisk
Window 7 Pro 64 bit
400W Power Supply
Wireless Keyboard & mouse
1 display port to HDMI converter
1 display port to VGA converter
No monitor

All in for around RM6k , recent price.

By the way, I am not promoting HP. Just that Dell has pissed off my company with their poor attitude account manager.

This post has been edited by k!nex: Mar 19 2016, 11:19 AM

Do you really know the SRP price for the E5-1680 v3 ??? You can just go to intel ark website to find out. Blardy hell expensive because it is the top of the range E5-16xx series. Compare to the E5-2630 v3 that I went for , you need to TOP UP around RM4k to get the E5-1680 v3.

That is just processor alone, you think it's worth it for few hundred MHz ??? Most people who go for Xeon E5 workstations will only concern of core count, and not clock speed.

Ask yourself first, why did you go for a Xeon E5 workstation in the first place ???

For myself, I have few criteria to meet before going for Xeon E5 because it is too damn expensive.

1. You need more than 4 cores which Xeon E3 cannot provide.

2. Xeon E3 RAM limit is only 64GB, anything more than that, you need to go Xeon E5.

My second configuration I choose E3 1245 v5 because it is even cheaper than the consumer version of i7 6700, for Z240 workstation, I have that choice, but I have no reason to go for an i7 when a similarly spec Xeon is cheaper. That is why I spec with non-ECC RAM because I don't need it and its much cheaper, plus non ECC RAM is easier to upgrade in future, can buy from any computer shop.

AMD or Nvidia Professional cards solely depend on what you do with it . For my 2nd build, I needed 4 display output. 3 touch screen monitors using Display port and HDMI output to an LCD projector. It is meant for medical research teaching use. That is why I choose the AMD Firepro W5100 because I do not have any software that needs Nvidia's special drivers.

If you need to use CUDA programming or if you plan on running Solidworks kind of engineering applications, then by all means go Nvidia at all cost .

Why we choose Professional cards is because the drivers are certified for those special applications and it is guaranteed to run properly at optimal performance where gaming cards like GeForce and Radeons cannot make it.

AMD Firepro W5100 is just a version of Radeon R7 260X/ HD 7790 with double the memory. The driver that make all the difference. That is why people are willing to pay so much for these pro cards.

How is HP workstations ???

I had Dell workstations at my place too. I would say, Dell and HP are great competitors in the workstation segment which has quite high profit margin. Therefore there are more or less the same.

AutoCAD Revit??? Are you a student or are you going to use it for work purpose ???

In my opinion if you're just a student, then don't bother going for a Xeon and Quadro/Firepro.

Go lowyat plaza and get something like this:

Intel Core i7 5820k
32GB DDR 4 ( 8GB X 4)
Nvidia GeForce GTX 960 2GB
512GB SATA 3 SSD
600~650W Power Supply

Don't worry, this build is far from the RM15k that Dell quote you

Remember, don't go stingy on the monitor. Good monitors have more accurate colour reproduction. So invest in a good monitor because it will last you for a very very long time. Personally recommend Dell Ultrasharp series as I am using a 27inch U2711 myself.

Bad idea. Buying a 4 core Xeon E5 is meaningless . Not only its expensive, it doesn't do any better than an i7 6700 because of the low clockspeed.

Allow me to suggest you this:

If its a HP unit, or you can go find a Dell equivalent

HP Z240 Tower workstation

Intel Xeon E3-1230 v5 3.4ghz 4 cores 8MB
8GB 2133Mhz non ECC DDR4
256GB SATA SSD
Nvidia Quadro K2200 4GB
400W power supply
Windows 7 Professional


I am quite confident this is at least below RM 4k or around there. Performance more or less the same like your spec but much much cheaper.