We are looking at some batch processes involing large databases, including some individual files near the gig range. Mostly these jobs will be run in exclusive mode, using standalone stations.

I have been asked to spec these stations.

I was thinking of zeon chips, raid five, and 1 Gig of Ram with Perc 3 raid controller and 128 Meg of cache. The question is will this really gain a great deal? Will 1 Gig really give us a significant gain over 512 Meg or 256 Meg. Is raid going to buy us that much gain in I.O. In general can anyone suggest the best configuration for this kind of thing?