Boston Wedding & Lifestyle Photography by Alen Abdula, Photography for Inquisitive Minds

Dell Precision Workstation T7500, Hands On Review

Alen Abdula — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:59:42 +0000

WARNING: Following blog post gets technical and is intended for computer geeks like myself! I’ve received quite a few tech questions over this weekend about my computer setup. So I’ve decided to give you a little run down on what I use and how it’s set up. In the meantime, I would like to take this opportunity to review my new workstation, Dell Precision T7500. Let’s get started.

For quite some time, I’ve been using Dell Precision 690. And recently I’ve decided to get with the program and upgrade to the newest Intel Microarchitecture, Codenamed Nehalem. I was happy with my previous Dell workstation so instantaneously I visited Dell’s website and started snooping around. Now, I never buy anything new, especially when it comes to computers. I always, always buy refurbished.

I spent quite some time on Dell’s Outlet site looking for system that would fit my needs. Memory and Hard Drive space is cheap, so I wanted something basic and then upgrade later. I’ve decided to go with Dell Precision T7500 Workstation with two CPU’s that run at 2Ghz, 2GB’s of memory, 150GB’s Western Digital VelociRaptor Hard Drive, 512MB’s nVidia Quadro NVS 420 Graphic Card and Internal Media Card Reader. Please note that Dell T7500 is huge. So if you need a space saver go with something smaller like T5500 or T3500.

Specifications and how I have it set up:

Dell Precision Workstation T7500 Base
Windows 7 64-bit Ultimate
Dual Intel Xeon E5504 Nehalem 2.0GHz Quad-Core Server Processor
8GB’s Kingston DDR3 1333 ECC Memory
512MB’s nVidia Quadro NVS 420 Graphic Card
Dual 150GB’s Western Digital VelociRaptor Hard Drive’s in RAID0
Dual 1TB’s Western Digital Caviar Black in JBOD (Just Bunch of Disks)

CPU: Please note that system board on Dell Precision T7500 comes with one CPU slot and an optional slot for CPU riser. If you purchase Dell Precision T7500 with one CPU you will not receive CPU riser. So when you decide to install dual CPU’s you will also need to purchase CPU riser from Dell.

Memory: Dell Precision T7500 uses unbuffered DDR3 PC3-8500 or DDR3 PC3-10600 server grade memory with ECC (Error Correction Codes). You do not need to install memory in matching pairs, however if you have an optional CPU riser installed larger density memory should go in the CPU riser.

Hard Drive: I’m on the fence on this one. I’m more and more thinking about getting an SSD (Solid State Drive) for my operating system and program files. Currently, I have two VelociRaptor’s installed in RAID0. It’s fast but, I’m always looking for that extra speed. I also have two Western Digital Caviar Black Hard Drives in JBOD serving as storage and backup.

Conclusion

Dell Precision T7500 is perfect for my needs. With this set up, I’m able to get through a wedding within 6 hours. It’s very big but I don’t mind the size. Noise levels are OK, it’s a workstation so it’s little loud. The system comes with many connectivity ports that enable you to connect variety of devices. One particular connectivity port I’m most interested in is eSATA, which enables me to connect external hard drives for some extra backup storage space and not sacrifice on transfer speed compared to that of USB. Dell Precision T7500 has "over 1 billion possible configurations configurable to virtually any industry, application or environment".

Jenn & Joe, Nahant beach wedding

Alen Abdula — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 17:10:49 +0000

It’s been a while since the last time I blogged! I’ve been extremely busy over the last few weeks. Anyhow, you may remember my Harley Davidson couple from while back. Well here is their beautiful wedding that took place at the marvelous Nahant beach. Enjoy!

Hi cutie

Alen Abdula — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 01:04:52 +0000

I absolutely love this image from my recent newborn photography session. Such a cutie isn’t she? Now, I don’t have much experience shooting newborns. I’m kind of just breaking into the field. However, I’m really enjoying it. Kids are so much fun (difficult) to shoot. Check back soon for more images from this session.

Let’s make snow angels

Alen Abdula — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 17:04:21 +0000

Talk about freezing! Negative 5° Fahrenheit’s I think it was! But we persevered. We initially started talking pictures at the Tufts University where Vicky is an alumni. Her fiancé attended University of Southern California, both are from Hawaii and wanted to take pictures in the snow; literally! Day began with cup of Dunkin Donuts hot coffee then ended with bunch of snow angel.

Elma & Tarik, Wedding in Boston

Alen Abdula — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 16:51:16 +0000

Elma, Tarik and myself are all from the same country. This small wedding in Boston was very well planned out from the beginning to the end. The wedding was a mixture of Bosnian and American tradition; which made it unique and inimitable.

Jill & Bob, Wedding at the historic Hawthorne Hotel in Salem

Alen Abdula — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 20:31:51 +0000

Situated on Salem’s Heritage Trail, historic Hawthorne Hotel is the Salem’s focal point. Close by attractions include the Salem Witch Museum, Peabody Essex Museum, House of the Seven Gables, Salem Visitors Center, Salem Maritime sites, waterfront shopping and outstanding restaurants. The hotel was the only place Jill and Bob could imagine their wedding to take place. And it was beautiful.

Dino, Revere Beach, Revere MA

Alen Abdula — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 22:08:19 +0000

Founded in 1896, Revere beach is the first public beach in the country. Known as the Coney Island of New England, Revere Beach is just a short drive from Downtown Boston. Revere Beach is the site of old Ocean Pier dance pavilion Pier Dancing Pavilion by Moonlight.

Caitlin & Simon, South Boston Wedding

Alen Abdula — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 21:30:14 +0000

Caitlin and Simon are one of the cutest couples I had pleasure working with. Very easy going, which made my job straightforward. Simon, originally from Scotland, was wearing traditional Scotland wedding outfit. Since this was my first Scottish wedding I was very animated and eager to capture some beautiful images.

Monisha & Sid; Wedding in Boston

Alen Abdula — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 17:54:41 +0000

You may remember my couple from India and their engagement in Boston. Well they made it official in very traditional way. This wedding was full of color, dynamic and very interesting to shoot. This wedding was about 14 hours and it felt like it was only 2. I enjoyed it a lot.

Monisha & Sid; Engagement in Boston

Alen Abdula — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 16:41:16 +0000

Meet Monisha & Sid. Extrovert and outgoing, Monisha & Sid enjoyed walking around Boston and taking pictures. They really made my job easy. Walking down the Boston Common and surrounding areas, we captured some great images. Check them out:

Jasenka & Goran; Wedding at Spinelli’s

Alen Abdula — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:58:26 +0000

Jasenka & Goran chose Spinelli’s for their small, very traditional wedding. This venue is perfect if you plan on having relatively small functions like small weddings, birthday parties and meetings. Located on route one in Lynnfield, Spinelli’s is perfect storybook for your wedding. Here are some of the images of this beautiful couple.

Amira + Ado; Wedding in New Hampshire

Alen Abdula — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 20:12:11 +0000

You may remember Amira and Ado from their engagement session I shot in Boston while back. Well, it’s official and they finally tied the knot. The wedding took place in beautiful New Hampshire where Ado is from. Here are some of the images from the wedding.

Jen & Joe; Engagement at the Nahant

Alen Abdula — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 19:59:21 +0000

Meet Jen & Joe—Very dynamic couple. For their engagement session Jen & Joe decided to visit Nahant beach and surrounding area. Joe is Harley Davidson fanatic and of course we had to take few shots on his slick ride.

Amira + Ado; the Freedom Trail, Boston Common

Alen Abdula — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 00:46:11 +0000

Boston Common is the hottest spot to be in the summer. The oldest park in the country, it is about 50 acres in size. Fun place to relax and take pictures. This is the location where Amira and Ado enjoyed their engagement session. Cute and playful, they spent the whole day walking around and enjoying themselves which made my job very easy.

Nichol & Nick; Wedding in MA/NH!

Alen Abdula — Sat, 23 May 2009 21:35:09 +0000

Nichol & Nick are such an amazing couple. Dynamic and fun they made shooting their wedding absolutely pleasurable. The day started off with getting ready at the MAC store in Burlington mall, with ceremony all the way in New Hampshire, then back to Massachusetts for the reception. Now that was quite a bit of driving but it was worth it.