Mad Max

The W8100 shows no tangible performance bump compared to the W7100. Solidworks does not support multi-gpu configurations.

Just now saw this, but here is a basic run down of the top pro cards currently available. The Firepro W7100 is 30% faster than the K5000 in Solidworks. The new Quadro M4000 is another good option, but the 27% performance increase doesn't warrant the 38% price premium over the W7100. The M5000 is 54% faster than the W7100 with a 320% price premium. Solidworks really likes the OpenCL performance from AMD. On the CPU side, for modeling, fast single core speed wins. FEA, Photoview, and drawings are mutli-threaded CPU tasks and you can see better benifits from having more slower cores to divide and conquer with.

Solidworks tends to be picky about hardware utilization. Here is the spec for the updated version of my current rig that I run Solidworks on daily. It will easily handle large assemblies and moderately heavy FEA tasks. PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Qjpm6h Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Qjpm6h/by_merchant/ CPU: Intel Core i7-5960X 3.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($999.99 @ SuperBiiz) CPU Cooler: NZXT Kraken X61 106.1 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($128.99 @ SuperBiiz) Motherboard: MSI X99A SLI PLUS ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard ($224.99 @ Amazon) Memory: Kingston Savage 64GB (4 x 16GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($533.00 @ Mac Mall) Storage: Samsung 950 PRO 512GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($328.95 @ SuperBiiz) Video Card: AMD FirePro W7100 8GB Video Card ($619.99 @ B&H) Case: Fractal Design Define R5 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.99 @ NCIX US) Power Supply: SeaSonic 660W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($126.99 @ SuperBiiz) Total: $3072.89 Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-01-13 13:41 EST-0500

This rig is used for heavy solidworks modeling & FEA plus moderate audio/video production work.

I'm going to be replacing my ram thanks to a faulty stick and figured I'd upgrade in the process. I'm currently running a CL9 1600mhz kit of corsair vengeance and the heatsinks are right at the point of being too tall in my 250d for my cooling lines and airflow restriction. From what I've found, the mushkin redline 997121 2x16gb CL9-10-10-28 2133mhz kit looks like the best option for my application. Anybody know of a better option?

I was going to build custom length cables then decided against it as they would block more airflow through the 140 rad than the stock cable lengths routed as I have done. The only thing limiting the airflow is the 24pin cable which is something that can't be helped. The 8pin clears the rad. Most definitely would help installing/changing drives. The sata power cable with my psu is fairly rigid combined with the tight quarters at the drive connections made it a pain to connect up. I had to mount and wire the drives out the back opening of the case then slide them in with one hand while guiding the cables back into the case. There is a pocket between the ssd portion of the cage and psu wall that I was able to stow the excess sata data cable length into. The front panel connector, fan, and led power cables are ran under the 240rad mount and zip tied to the unused lower fan mounting holes.

With my psu (Seasonic SS-660xp2) being fully modular and only ~160mm long, the cable connections have plenty of clearance to make the bend towards the center of the case. I used the sata power connections closest to the outside of the case to help with clearing the 140 rad. The pair of 6+2 cables for GPU power are ran between the gpu backplate and the 140 radiator body, however case's internal height requires a tight bend in the cables to get the top on. The gap from the rear of the 140 radiator to the motherboard platform is approximately 1-1/4" which requires about the tightest bend possible on the 24pin and 8pin connectors on this board to get between the rad and platform. My 24pin cable is gently resting against the rear of the 140 rad. I tried putting the stock 140 fan grille on the rad but felt that the extra bend needed to get the 24pin routed was placing unnecessary stress on the motherboard connection and ultimately removed the grille. My excess cabling is ran into bundles in the area under the 240 rad mount beside the 140 rad. The pump/res and required plumbing eliminated all usable area under the gpu overhang; however there is enough height that I can remove the res lid to fill and service the loop. Hopefully this answers your question. I'll try to post a couple pics in a day or so to show these areas.

Green Hornet 250D : http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/118204-green-hornet-250d-finished-hq-pics-added/ Description : What we have here is a Corsair 250D with full custom cpu/gpu water loop, thick 140 rad, 30mm thick 240 rad (and still fit the Z87i's daughter board), and fully functioning 5.25" optical drive all without any case mods. I believe that this is the most stuffed 250D build that has been created. This rig is an all purpose build to handle CAD work, gaming, audio/video editing, and general HTPC duties. CPU temp stays under 60°C and gpu has yet to break 43°C after 4+ hours constant abuse. Build completed March 2nd. Future plans include potentially adding a 160mm rad to the loop when it comes time to replace the coolant. Parts list: Case - Corsair 250D CPU - 4770K @ 4.4ghz GPU - EVGA GTX 780 HydroCopper MB - Asus Z87i-Deluxe Ram - Corsair Vengeance 1600mhz 2x8gb PSU - Seasonic SS-660XP2 660w 80+ Platinum Kingston HyperX 3k SSD 120gb Seagate 4tb HDDs Asus Blu-Ray 5.25" drive Cougar CF-D12HB-G 120mm Green LED fan Cougar CF-D14HB-G 140mm Green LED fan Watercooling parts: CPU Block - Swiftech Apogee HD black Pump - Swiftech MCP35X-BK Reservior - Bitspower DDC Mini Water Tank BP-DDCT-CL Alphacool Nexxos ST-30 240mm rad Alphacool Nexxos UT-60 140mm rad Swiftech Lok-Seal 3/8” ID x 5/8” OD fitting (10) Swiftech Lok-Seal 45° adapter (1) Swiftech Lok-Seal 90° adapter (3) PrimoChill UV Green 3/8”ID x 5/8” OD LRT Tubing Picture URL : http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w463/MaxAReedy/DSC_0020.jpg

Nikon D5300. Shot those with the 18-55mm kit lens. I was thinking that the rad in the H110i was 25mm, but according to the spec sheet it is 27mm which fits with 1-2mm clearance. The low profile Swiftech 240mm rad is 29.6mm thick which isn't much better than the Alphacool ST30 that I used; however it may be just enough to get the job done. The 30mm rad will fit if you don't mind getting creative. I could have shaved off another 1.5mm from my fan body if needed. Also, if you are not using either the Asus Impact or Z87i-deluxe, clearance won't be an issue.

New pics in first post. Finally got pissed off enough at my point-n-shoot to upgrade to a DSLR.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820178454&nm_mc=AFC-C8JUNCTION&cm_mmc=AFC-C8JUNCTION-_-EMC-022814-Latest-_-SSD-_-20178454-L07C&PID=1225267&SID=dm2D1qEYEeOAZIqOGUSK0g0_0_0_0_I1G1&AID=10440897

Since i have been asked a couple times already about fitting the 30mm rad and 25mm fans with the Z87i-deluxe daughter board in this rig: It is a very tight fit. I had to shave the polymer vibration pads on the rear 120mm fan and still barely got it in there. It's tight enough that I screws where not needed to hold the rear fan in place. Also the rear 120mm fan is mounted with the top 2 screws and the front fans is using the top rear and lower front screws to clear the daughter board and 5.25 device. I'd go with a 25mm thick rad with 25mm thick fans to make it fit nicer. I could build a hdd cage that would mount under the floor for a pair 4TB 3.5" drives and cut a slot for cables, plus a pair of 4tb drives in the rear cages and still have a pair of ssds. It could happen fairly easily.

Low light photos from the point-n-shoot, lol. I really need to hurry up and decide on which DSLR. The lighting is courtesy of (2) 12cm green Alchemy led strips; one on the left side top frame rail pointing down and the other is on the top rear panel lip pointing down. Also, the radiator fans each have 4 green leds, Left side. Right side Front panel open Birds Eye View Did some more tweaking and now stable 4.5ghz / 1.281v. Just started maximizing the 780, but it's stable as shown. Temps are mid 60°C on the CPU, but GPU barely touches 45°C under load. Only thing left to do is pick up a short sata cable for the 5.25 drive and a pair of 3.5" Hdds. Otherwise, I'd say this build is complete.

Got the new fans installed tonight. Pics will be up once I retrieve my usb card reader from work. Anyways, here are some temps. My cpu isn't the best overclocker, but I've managed to get it stable at 4.4ghz @ 1.319v. The ambient room temp is ~23.5°C.

$478 shipped for the parts not including the gpu block.