Here is my situation :
I want to setup 2 powerful computers on my desk so that computer **A** (Rampage IV+i7-3960X+8x8GB DDR+SSD+Win7U) can specialize in getting financial data (>10K web pages a day) around the world 24x7 then process them (strip off html tags using MKStoolkit, awk, sed, etc.) then save the data in **A**.
computer **B** running 24x7 (Rampage III+Intel x980+6x4GB DDR+SSD+GeForce GT520+RadeonHD5570+Dell U3011 x 2+Win7U) can view that data over the local network connection or local remote desktop.
Currently **B** is doing both of these and I have to reboot **B** in the middle of trading day because, I think, one or more of the web pages or the firefox add-on, or firefox has memory leak (Firefox memory usage > 1,950,300 K). The whole computer become very sluggish when total system physical memory is used 45% to 55% (CPU usage < 10% rarely over 10%) after reboot the memory usage is back down to 20% or so and the computer become very responsive.
I have been waiting for over a month the availability of ASUS HD7970-DC2-3GD5 in HongKong where I live. Since this card can handle, without any adapters, 4 DisplayPort monitors (4 Dell U3011) two DVI monitors (my 2 old Dell 24") I plan to get this card and 2 more Dell U3011 for **B**. My local ASUS distributor has no idea when the HD7970-DC2-3GD5 will be available and do not take advanced order either. I checked with netegg.com this card is out of stock. I figured if netegg.com don't have it then don't bother with other sites that claim they have in stock.
I don't like bookmarks, favorites and never use any of them in my life. I like to open 8 Firefox windows with a total of 80 or so tabs of financial news, data, charts.. and have them all reload every 3 to 5 minutes with "Tab Mix Plus" add-on.
I don't play any games with my computers.
Since I can not live without firefox and those web pages, with this two powerful
computers setup I hope at least I don't have to reboot during the 6-and-1/2-hour trading session. IE, Chrome, Opera are not for me.
I just tried **A** without graphic card, keyboard, and mouse. It won't boot and show me the BIOS setup screen. when have time I might want to play with the BIOS settings to see if I can do it.
My questions are :
1) was anyone able to buy an ASUS HD7970-DC2-3GD5 ?
2) are there any better ways to solve my computer sluggish problems (I have no problems with budget, space, noise, heat)
3) **B** is not in a computer enclosure. It has been on four 3"x3" stylofoam on 4 corners for over a year without any meltdown problem. Five hours ago I moved it on to one 12"x15" white stylefoam from Dell U3011 packing. Did
anyone try this before ? Will/might the Rampage III melt the stylofoam and cause fire ?