If you use nVidia platform that are some great tools to tweak performance and resources.
http//
I have been researching solutions for a mobile solution with the primary task of processing E01 files on-site with FTK3. The workstation will also act as a second lab computer. We are a two-man shop, and we wanted a solution that would be sufficient for FTK3 and be price conscious. The laptop I configured was a Dell M6500 that was going to cost about $7K, so I started looking at SFF machines (as Douglas Brush also encouraged).
I pulled the trigger on a setup this morning that cost $1779.26 including UPS 3 day shipping (plus 2% cashback through
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Shuttle SX58J3 Intel Core i7 (LGA1366) Intel Socket B(LGA1366) Intel X58 none Barebone
Item # N82E16856101093 $529.99
Intel Core i7-930 Bloomfield 2.8GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80601930
Item # N82E16819115225 $289.99
Kingston HyperX T1 Series 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) XMP Tall HS Desktop Memory Model KHX1600C9D3T1K3/6GX
Item # N82E16820104131 $159.99
EDIT I returned this item because it is too tall. When I had searched for the model listed on the Shuttle compatibility list, this Newegg item came up. I ordered the item below as a replacement.
OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G1600LV6GK
Item# N82E16820227365 $155.99
GIGABYTE GV-NX84S512HP GeForce 8400 GS 512MB 64-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card
Item # N82E16814125242 $38.99
SYBA SD-ENC50020 2.5" & 3.5" Black eSATA Dual SATA Hard Drive Docking Station
Item # N82E16817801059 $32.99
Case Files/Evidence Drive will connect eSATA
LIAN LI HD-321 Internal 2.5" HDD / SSD Mounting Kit
Item # N82E16811995032 $9.99
EDIT I returned this item as the SSD drive comes with a mounting kit.
Intel X25-M Mainstream SSDSA2MH160G2R5 2.5" 160GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
Item # N82E16820167024 $414.99
Oracle Drive
Western Digital VelociRaptor WD1500HLFS 150GB 10000 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item # N82E16822136296 $139.99
OS Drive
Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
Item # N82E16832116762 $174.99
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I based my purchase on FTK3 recommendations from the
To grossly summarize the DI paper… get an i7 processor, an x25 SSD for the Oracle drive and a 10K+ RPM drive for the OS. Increasing memory or the processor provides some performance improvement, but you are going to pay for it. Throughput of I/O has the biggest impact.
I may tweak/add a few things if needed, such as a DVD-Burner, SATA drive sled in the 5.25" bay. In the future, I may add a RAID eSATA setup for the case/evidence drive. An LCD and UPS will also be needed, but I have that covered. Once I have everything in my hands, I will evaluate the best vehicle for making it mobile… probably through a Pelican case of some sort.
A bit more of related previous discussion can be found in the Classified forum, here. I decided to continue my post in this forum, as it seemed more appropriate to be in Hardware.
I think the time has probably come to revisit the "recommended hardware" page at
http//www.forensicfocus.com/recommended-hardware
To quote from thetop of the page "the focus of the recommendations is on hardware which gets the job done but also represents value for money".
So, with that in mind, what needs to be changed or updated?
The system I configured in August is still running smooth. Total cost was under $1800. I am presently trying to find an LCD that will fit with the computer in a Pelican case for carry-on travel.
I would like to hear feedback about small-lab storage configurations for case files and images.
I would like to hear feedback about small-lab storage configurations for case files and images.
This is a good point, I'd like to be able to include one or two recommended items for this purpose too.
Jamie
The Thecus solutions have served me well - http//
They have rack mount as well as free standing "tower" designs that actually come in a sturdy enough cardboard box with handle that we keep and use to pack the NAS and take into the field for collections that warrant that.
The 7700PRO in particular is a good fit for most shops IMO.
I just ordered a Thecus N8800PRO with 5 2TB drives for starters.
What are you using for backup on them?
Recently got a Synology Diskstation DS411+ NAS box, retail at around £500.00 on the basis of reviews for its speed. Had it for a few weeks and very happy with it, data transfers over a Gigabit network do seem very good.
So, my last "mobile" build was a Shuttle system (posted earlier in this thread). I lug it around as need with a 20" LCD and battery backup. It actually works pretty well for anywhere I can drive to. I built it to recommended specs for FTK3, including separate SSD drive for Oracle.
Now it's time to replace my older laptop and get a new laptop for my partner for some on-site law enforcement engagements (not always a good idea to let them provide a computer for us to use )
I tried to stay around $2000 for each machine and still keep it pretty fast. While I didn't include a SSD drive in these machines, the second SATA drive can be replaced for one later if desired. I haven't made the purchase yet, as the phone rep insisted he could get me a better deal if I emailed him my specs.
I did consider other brands, but this seemed like the best deal for what I wanted. Only thoughts were that there less USB ports than ideal and no firewire, but with an eSata/USB2.0 and two USB 3.0 ports, it will be fine.
So, here is the config. You'll also notice I have the Dell Streak included since it was $100. I am happy to hear any comments.
$1,773.99 (pre-tax and shipping)
XPS 17
Operating System Genuine Windows® 7 Ultimate, 64-Bit, English
Processor
2nd generation Intel® Core™ i7-2720QM processor 2.20 GHz with
Turbo Boost 2.0 up to 3.30 GHz
Memory 8GB Shared Dual Channel DDR3 Memory
LCD 17.3" HD+ (900p) LED Display with 2.0MP HD Webcam
Video Card NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 555M 3GB graphics with Optimus
Hard Drive 1.0TB 500GB 7.2k HDD x 2
Color Elemental Silver Aluminum
Integrated Network Adapter Integrated 10/100/1000 Network Card
CD ROM/DVD ROM Tray Load Blu-ray Disc BD-Combo (Reads BD and Writes to DVD/CD)
Sound JBL 2.1 Speakers with Waves Maxx Audio 3
Wireless Plus Bluetooth Intel® Centrino® Wireless-N 1000
Battery 92 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
Hardware Support Services 1 Year Basic Service Plan
Free 5-7 day shipping!
Expires Tuesday, November 01, 2011
Carbon Black 16GB Unlocked with Android 2.2 Qty 1
Dell Streak Unit Price $579.99
Add a Dell Streak for $99 on Systems over $699
Limited Time Offer!
- $480.99
Catalog Number 29 MSCMSY5
Base Dell Streak
Color and Memory Carbon Black 16GB Memory UTMS Unlocked
Services 1 Year Limited Hardware Warranty
Mobile Accessories 3.5mm Stereo headset with microphone and replaceable ear buds
Mobile Accessories Power Supply with US plug
Mobile Accessories Detachable 30pin/USB cable with cable clip
Mobile Accessories 3.7V, 1530mAh Battery
Mobile Accessories Pre-installed MicroSDTM memory card
Mobile Accessories Microfiber pouch
Sub total$1,773.99
So, my last "mobile" build was a Shuttle system (posted earlier in this thread). I lug it around as need with a 20" LCD and battery backup. It actually works pretty well for anywhere I can drive to. I built it to recommended specs for FTK3, including separate SSD drive for Oracle.
Now it's time to replace my older laptop and get a new laptop…
The Mac Book Pro will be my next laptop. The Thunderbolt port is twice as fast as USB 3.0, is dual channel so can send and receive data at the same time which looks ideal for imaging from one external drive to another - or using one external SSD drive as an FTK db and another for image files.
Just waiting for Thunderbolt peripherals to to be released! wink