Parts Advice Needed For Overclocked 3930K Build

[CF01]

I need some advice for parts to go with a 3930K that will be overclocked. I know, poor timing with the 4930K so close, but I need to build a couple of these machines in the next 2-3 weeks. These will be for use as workstations and render machines for 3D graphics and animation. Both single thread and multi-thread are heavily used, so the 3930K is what I plan to build these around.

Power Supply - I have one Seasonic X750 and will probably get another for the 2nd system.

Heatsink - I have a Noctua NH-D14 SE2011 and plan to get a second for the other system.

Memory - I plan to pick up a 4x8GB kit for each system. I have no idea what would be best. I'm not sure how memory behaves with x79. Needs to fit with the Noctua. I would like to keep the price under $300 or not much over.

Motherboard - I'm really not sure what to get here. Reliability is important. I want to be able to overclock these machines to about 4.6-4.8. Only one GPU will ever be used in these. It would be nice to have 8 memory slots, but I wouldn't exclude boards with only 4. Being able to swap out the CPU for a newer one at some point might be a nice option, although that kind of knowledge may not be available yet. I would also like to keep the price under $300 if possible.

Storage - SSD. I will start with one or two and may get to as high as four at some point. No advice needed here.

GPU - EVGA GTX 760 4GB

Case - Corsair 500r

OS - Windows 8 Pro 64-bit


Thanks

Edit: Added case and graphics card I would like to use.

 

[lehtv]

If both single and multi thread applications are used, wouldn't 4770(K) or an equal Xeon be a more balanced choice? Per GHz, Haswell is almost as much faster in <4 thread applications as the 3930K is faster in >4 thread applications. And it costs a lot less, of course.

I wouldn't think an overclocked setup a good idea for a work machine. You'll want maximum stability.

Case - despite no advice needed, tell us what it is you're buying because it may affect advice given on other components. The case is a big factor in compatibility.

 

[DSF]

If reliability is a key concern I'm not sure why you're trying to overclock to 4.6 to 4.8 GHz. Is the amount of money you make directly tied to how quickly you can process things?

 

[CF01]

@lehtv

It was tough call between 3930k and 4770k. It's about a $300 difference between the system costs, but the 3930k should still have about a 20% advantage with rendering based on cinebench scores. Xeon is too expensive and low in single thread performance.

While maybe not as stable as not overclocking, as long as an overclock has been tested for stability, I've never had an issue running machines that way constantly. The gains are just too huge to not do.

I was planning to pick a case based on layout of motherboard for good airflow, reduced noise(relatively speaking) and price(About $150 range or less). I think I was looking at Corsair's 550D or 500R last year when I started considering one of these systems, but was planning to make a final decision after deciding on motherboard.

@ DSF

If well tested and using quality parts, I've never had an issue with long term overclocking. It's a choice I consider low risk and high reward. With reliability in a MB, I'm primarily concerned with quality parts and build for handling that overclock, and not having software issues that the manufacturer hasn't addressed. The gains from overclocking these modern chips do make a difference in what level of quality I can offer a client and how quickly the work gets done.

 

[lehtv]

What does the single or mildly multithreaded work involve, then? Why is the advantage of 4770K there not as imporant as the 20% advantage of 3930K in Cinebench?

 

[CF01]

Single threaded processes would primarily be the 3D modeling tools, but some other operations rely on single threads too. The multi-threading would mostly be for rendering, which is extensively used during the lighting and texturing process. The 3930k is really the best option for the balance of work I do. If I was specializing in a certain task or specific industry, it may sway me more towards a desktop Haswell or a Xeon, but an overclocked 3930k is hard to beat for generalist 3D content creation.

 

[mfenn]

Is it just me or is 4.8Ghz a little optimistic for 24/7 stable on a 3930K?

 

[CF01]

Depends on the chip from what I have gathered. If it only does 4.5, then that's what I get. Just looking for parts to give me the best chance within my budget.

I think I've decided on the 500r case, so I'll be limiting my MB to ATX or MicroATX.

Would it be better to go with higher speed higher latency RAM or lower speed and lower latency RAM? I guess I'm looking at some 1866 cas 10 vs 1600 cas 8.

 

[mfenn]

Don't pay extra for fancy RAM, DDR3 1600 CAS 9 usually costs less and is within 1% of the other two. The 3930K has an unlocked multiplier, so you don't need to change the BCLK anyway.

 

[BrightCandle]

You are not going to get 4.8 Ghz stable out of a 3930k on air. That is extremely unlikely. You may be able to get 4.4-4.5, but it will likely be pulling around 200W at load. I am not confident an air cooler will be able to cope well with that.

Just buy some 1600 DDR3 1.5V RAM and don't worry too much about timings because it doesn't make any difference.