Input on new workstation/gaming PC build for <£700 GBP

[IchiCC]

Hi all, new member here. Hoping you guys could give me some advice on my new build!


1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.

My work involves scientific computing and statistical modelling so my priority would be something that will be able to handle data crunching and simulation tasks well (using C++, Python, MATLAB and Excel).

I have been a relatively serious gamer in the past, but haven't really played any AAA titles in the last few years while I've been at university. That said, I wouldn't mind the option of playing modern games at reasonably high settings if the desire came up again

Aside from that, I expect the new machine to easily tackle day-to-day tasks like internet browsing, watching HD video, using Word/Powerpoint etc. for at least the next 3-4 years.


2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread

£600-£700. Getting the best value for money in this range is what I care about.


3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.

UK


4. IF you're buying parts OUTSIDE the US, please post a link to the vendor you'll be buying from.

The vendors on PC Part Picker all look good to me.


5. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.

N/A


6. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.

I have already purchased 16GB of Corsair Vengeance DDR3-1600 CL9 RAM.

I also have an old Cooler Master CM 690 case and an Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro from a PC I built in 2008. I'm not sure if it'd be possible, or indeed advisable, to reuse these in the new build.


7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.

I'm open to overclocking, but it's certainly not a priority.

8. What resolution, not monitor size, will you be using?

1080p


9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
Note that it is usually not cost or time effective to choose your build more than a month before you actually plan to be using it.

Within the next 2 months or so - however if there are any new releases due that are likely to push part prices down/change my parts list, I'd be happy to hold off a bit.

10. Do you need to purchase any software to go with the system, such as Windows or Blu Ray playback software?

No.


My current parts list, comments & criticism please!
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor (£178.00 @ Amazon UK)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler (£24.97 @ Amazon UK) **
Motherboard: MSI Z97 PC MATE ATX LGA1150 Motherboard (£64.99 @ Amazon UK)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory (Already bought @ £76.83)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive (£71.94 @ Aria PC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (£37.80 @ Aria PC)
Video Card: Asus Radeon R9 270 2GB DirectCU II Video Card (£89.99 @ CCL Computers)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case (£49.19 @ Aria PC) **
Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply (£57.98 @ Amazon UK)
Total: £658.69
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-12 07:57 BST+0100


**As mentioned above, I'd like to reuse my old CM 690 case and Freezer 7 CPU cooler if they are sufficient.

 

[mfenn]

You can definitely reuse the CM 690 case if you like the look of it and don't mind only having USB 2.0 on the front panel. Newer cases will be quieter and support USB 3.0 on the front.

As for the Freezer 7, you can also reuse that as long as your revision has the Socket 1156/1155/1150 bracket. It's not going to get you a big overclock, but it is quieter than the stock cooler.

Dropping those two saves you about £75. You can use that to pick up a better GPU like the XFX R9 280 3GB for £155. That will enable you to play most new games at high (but not maxed) settings at 1080p, whereas the R9 270 would be good for medium level graphics.

Also, the Antec TP-650C is available at £60 and is much superior to the CX600M.

 

[Ken g6]

I wouldn't recommend any overclocking if you're doing data crunching and simulation tasks. You don't want accidental computation errors messing up your results. But I assume that hyper-threading would help your work? If so, I see two options:

1. Get a Xeon E3 and a pretty nice video card:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: *Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor (£197.77 @ More Computers)
Motherboard: *ASRock Z97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard (£57.77 @ Scan.co.uk)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory (Purchased For £76.83)
Storage: *OCZ ARC 100 240GB 2.5&quot; Solid State Drive (£68.98 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: *Toshiba 1TB 3.5&quot; 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (£32.34 @ Aria PC)
Video Card: *Asus Radeon R9 290 4GB DirectCU II Video Card (£205.00 @ Aria PC)
Power Supply: *Corsair CX 600W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply (£57.98 @ Amazon UK)
Total: £696.67
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
*Lowest price parts chosen from parametric criteria
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-13 21:54 BST+0100

2. Get an i7 4790K instead, £60 more for 600 more MHz, and wait for a good sale to get an R9 280 or GTX 960.

if there are any new releases due that are likely to push part prices down/change my parts list, I'd be happy to hold off a bit.

AMD is announcing their new video card lineup Tuesday, I believe. But I'm really not expecting much improvement there.

 

[escrow4]

Whatever mobo you pick make sure it has ALC 1150 or 898 in a pinch. Unless you want shonky audio, there is a difference in the latest onboard.

 

[freeskier93]

x2 on the Xeon. I just picked one up, sounds like I do a lot of the same work as you (Matlab is life). I also have it paired with an Asus Z97-E and R9 280 (dirt cheap right now since AMD is about to drop new cards).

 

[IchiCC]

Thanks for the feedback guys. My CM 690 case doesn't have a 2.5" bay - will I have any problems using an adapter for the SSD?

My old Freezer 7 Pro apparently only has the Socket 775 bracket, so I guess it won't work with the motherboard. Does the Xeon require aftermarket cooling?

 

[mfenn]

Thanks for the feedback guys. My CM 690 case doesn't have a 2.5" bay - will I have any problems using an adapter for the SSD?

Nope, an adapter bracket like this one will work fine. In fact the SSD doesn't need any sort of special mounting at all. You can velcro it to the bottom of the case if you want.

My old Freezer 7 Pro apparently only has the Socket 775 bracket, so I guess it won't work with the motherboard. Does the Xeon require aftermarket cooling?

The Xeon E3-1231 V3 and Core i5 4690K both come with a cooler that is sufficient. That being said, the stock cooler can get loud under load, so I would generally recommend picking of an aftermarket cooler like the CNPS10X Optima for $23 AR.