Need help workstation build

[mawaru]

Hey Guys,

My 2007 setup is in dire need of an upgrade. The only thing I'll re-use is my Antec P180 case. Any feedback or suggestions are welcome? I appreciate the help!

Thanks!

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

This will be my home server. I plan on doing coding/development, POCs, etc. So most likely I will be running multiple VMs. I may run other apps to do video editing, photoshop but I'm not there yet (still a novice). So I'm looking to build a machine that has room to grow. Also might play some Starcraft on occasion.

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

$2000 budget

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

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.

Intel. I was looking at the Haswell E line but I'm debating on if I really need that.

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

Antec P180 (mid-tower case)

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
No plans to overclock

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

No specific resolution. Probably 1920x1080

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?

As soon as possible.

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

No


Here's the current build I've compiled: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/RQfVHx

 

[Ken g6]

Yikes! You do not need 2x980 for Starcraft! You might be able to use one (but probably not two) for video editing, but like you said you're not there yet.

I could give you a Photoshop user's dream build, but it seems like your usage isn't that well defined.

So most likely I will be running multiple VMs.

How many? (Edit: And how many at one time?) Can you be a little more specific about what they're doing?

 

[nsafreak]

Yikes! You do not need 2x980 for Starcraft! You might be able to use one (but probably not two) for video editing, but like you said you're not there yet.

I could give you a Photoshop user's dream build, but it seems like your usage isn't that well defined.

How many? (Edit: And how many at one time?) Can you be a little more specific about what they're doing?

Agree with Ken on this one. Going with X99 for a build that's heavy on VMs might not be a bad idea since you'll be able to put more RAM on it but we need more info as to what's going on these VMs. Also agree that a pair of 980s is massive overkill for the stated use.

 

[mawaru]

Ok yeah i was debating on whether or not I would really need to run 2 way SLI. Thanks for the link on Starcraft! I'll check what GPUs listed there would be compatible. I got carried away thinking it would be cool to run 2 way SLI

As far as the priorities go for this box it would be:

1. Development
2. Novice video editing (e.g. GoPro videos)
3. Photoshop

I might run SharePoint dev on this box. So I would run 1-4 VMs at any one time. A configuration would be:

1. VM 1 - Domain Controller
2. VM 2 - SharePoint 2013
3. VM 3 - SQL Server
4. VM 4 - Visual Studio 2013

In thinking about this more I might need to get more RAM. I could remove the 2nd GPU and instead get another 32GB of RAM.

 

[ggadrian]

I'd go for an i7 5820K with 64GB RAM (wich could be crazy expensive being DDR4, so might compromise and get 32GB) 500GB SSD and a GTX 970, I don't think the 980 is worth for 1080p, much less a 980 SLI.

For your usage I'd say that: RAM > Storage > CPU > Graphics

 

[mfenn]

You've got your budget listed as $2000, but your build comes in at $2600. Are you OK with $2600 or are you looking for advice to get it under $2000?

 

[daveybrat]

Honestly for what you are doing i'd just go with the following:

Intel i7 4790K
Z97 Motherboard (your choice)
16GB Kit of DDR3 ram
GTX 970 4GB Card
512GB SSD Drive

Even though your budget is $2000.00, a system like this should be more than enough for what you intend to do with it.

 

[Blain]

I'd tend to lean towards the i7-4790k also, to help hold down MB & memory costs.
Since VMs are a priority, I'd load up on the memory, have one SSD for the OS and programs, a second SSD for the VMs.
Make sure and buy a good quality PS.

 

[mawaru]

You've got your budget listed as $2000, but your build comes in at $2600. Are you OK with $2600 or are you looking for advice to get it under $2000?

Yeah I'm Ok with 2600. I already have HDs so in reality I'll prob spend closer to $2200-$2400 depending on the type of RAM.

 

[mawaru]

Thanks for the info guys! I'll look into putting together a i7-4790k with tons of RAM and extra SSDs. Appreciate the feedback!

 

[Burpo]

http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php...YU-mg15_b276dEXue6VTGazvJ1NmmSP4xvBoCznTw_wcB

 

[mfenn]

Yeah I'm Ok with 2600. I already have HDs so in reality I'll prob spend closer to $2200-$2400 depending on the type of RAM.

OK, so you already have the case and HDDs? Here's what I would do:

i7 4790K $340
ASRock Z97 Killer $95 AR
G.Skill DDR3 1600 16GB x2 $240
ASUS GTX 970 Strix $345
Corsair MX100 512GB x2 $434
Reuse HDD $0
Rosewill Capstone 750W $80
Reuse case $0
Noctua U12S $62
Total: $1251 AR

You could definitely spend more, but getting to > 32GB requires a huge step up in cost to DDR4 and Haswell-E. At that point, I would consider building a separate 32GB box solely for virtualization.

 

[mawaru]

Thanks mfenn! You did all the work for me! I was just going to look at the reviews of most of the items in this thread. Thanks!

 

[jaydee]

OK, so you already have the case and HDDs? Here's what I would do:

i7 4790K $340
ASRock Z97 Killer $95 AR
G.Skill DDR3 1600 16GB x2 $240
ASUS GTX 970 Strix $345
Corsair MX100 512GB x2 $434
Reuse HDD $0
Rosewill Capstone 750W $80
Reuse case $0
Noctua U12S $62
Total: $1251 AR

You could definitely spend more, but getting to > 32GB requires a huge step up in cost to DDR4 and Haswell-E. At that point, I would consider building a separate 32GB box solely for virtualization.

Considering the CPU and GPU aren't THAT power hungry, 750W is a bit overkill? CPU + GPU are like 240W TDP.

$87 - SeaSonic G Series SSR-550RM 550W 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817151119

I know it's a few bucks more, but the OP would be more in the 50% range of power supply capacity (at full load), and it's modular.

Edit: Could also go cheap on the CPU for now, and drop in a Broadwell-K in 3-6 months?

 

[lehtv]

Considering the CPU and GPU aren't THAT power hungry, 750W is a bit overkill?

$87 - SeaSonic G Series SSR-550RM 550W 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817151119

I know it's a few bucks more, but the OP would be more in the 50% range of power supply capacity, and it's modular.

G series is in the same performance class as Capstone, so why pay more for less wattage? Yes, the 550W unit is modular, but you don't need modularity in a 550W unit. If anything, the 750W unit needs to be modular because of the extra unused PCIe cables.

I guess mfenn picked the 750W unit to allow for 970 SLI, as the motherboard is also SLI compatible. Personally, I'd choose between Antec TP-550C $60 ($40 AR) for value and EVGA 750G $90 ($60 AR) for SLI compatibility (plus double the warranty period). Both of these are as reliable as a Seasonic G series.

 

[lehtv]

Edit: Could also go cheap on the CPU for now, and drop in a Broadwell-K in 3-6 months?

Do we even know at this point if Broadwell will bring much of a performance gain?

 

[Cerb]

Do we even know at this point if Broadwell will bring much of a performance gain?

No, we don't know, and there isn't any reason to believe it will, I don't think. It is intended to be an SB->IB kind of improvement, which, while probably faster, would not be worth waiting for. It almost never pays to get a weak CPU with plans to upgrade, because the upgrade will be so minimal, you'll have a slower CPU in the mean time, and end up paying a good bit extra for the privilege. Get a nice cooler and OC a bit, if you want performance gains over what's stock right now.

 

[tynopik]

For such a system, memory upgradability and stability are key

to fit in tons of memory and to have it be stable, i would suggest an E5 with registered ECC memory. These can go up to 256GB (or 512GB with LR-DIMMS)

$295 E5-1620 v3 quad-core haswell 3.5GHz
http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=E51620V3BX&c=CJ

$338 SUPERMICRO MBD-X10SRA-F-O ATX Server Motherboard LGA 2011 Intel C612 
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813182959

$413 Crucial DDR4-2133 32GB(4x 8GB)/1Gx72 ECC/REG CL15 Server Memory kit 
http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=CTD421RX32

or if you REALLY want 6-core

$575 E5-1650 v3 hex-core haswell 3.5GHz
http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=E5-1650V3

 

[jaydee]

No, we don't know, and there isn't any reason to believe it will, I don't think. It is intended to be an SB->IB kind of improvement, which, while probably faster, would not be worth waiting for. It almost never pays to get a weak CPU with plans to upgrade, because the upgrade will be so minimal, you'll have a slower CPU in the mean time, and end up paying a good bit extra for the privilege. Get a nice cooler and OC a bit, if you want performance gains over what's stock right now.

IMO, can't go wrong either way, just wanted to throw it out there as an option. Coming from an '07 build (best CPU was what, a Q6600 with DDR2?), couldn't touch even a G3258 on air @ 4GHz, which can be had for $60, which is not a lot in the scheme of a $2k budget. Then up to a i7-5880K or whatever they call it in a few months.

If it's serious work you're doing, by all means, just get the 4790K and be done with it. But if it's hobby thing, no harm in having a little fun with it, and grabbing an extra 10% or so from a Broadwell chip, than you would Haswell.

 

[mfenn]

Considering the CPU and GPU aren't THAT power hungry, 750W is a bit overkill? CPU + GPU are like 240W TDP.

$87 - SeaSonic G Series SSR-550RM 550W 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817151119

I know it's a few bucks more, but the OP would be more in the 50% range of power supply capacity (at full load), and it's modular.

Edit: Could also go cheap on the CPU for now, and drop in a Broadwell-K in 3-6 months?

I put the Capstone in there becasue it was the least expensive, Gold rated, >= 550W unit from a decent product line when I was looking yesterday. Sure, I would have rather put a 650W unit in there, but there weren't any good deals on those at that time.

In today's deals, either of the units that lehtv pointed out would work well. I'd lean towards the TP-550C because the Z97 Killer isn't a great SLI board due to its x16/x4 split.