Quiet Workstation Build

[oscarb]

Hi!

 

I'm looking to build a powerful workstation, primarily to be used used for data analysis and numerical simulations, but dabbling in machine learning (deep-learning neural networks) and some CAD/3D rendering. I'll be running Linux, and prefer open-source drivers (i.e. AMD GPU).

 

A key priority is noise level - I want something that will be completely silent under 'normal' use. Don't mind fans winding up when it's cranking, but I don't want to hear it under routine loads (e.g. CPU @ 50-70%).

 

I'm looking for advice on cooling solutions, power supplies and cases.

 

Build so far:

CPU: Ryzen 9300X (possibly 3950X)

Motherboard: Asus Pro WS X570-ACE

GPU: Radeon VII (mainly for the 16gb VRAM... though keeping an eye on Navi23 rumours)

RAM: 2x 16gb 3200 ECC (brand-agnostic)

Storage: 1TB Samsung 970 EVO Plus (boot drive) + 2TB [other SSD] (storage). Don't want RAID - I have v regular network backups, so less concerned about drive failure.

 

Advice Wanted:

1. Cooling: I want something that will run at low RPMs under normal loads. No particular prejudice re. AIO vs. air-cooled, but leaning towards air-cooled for simplicity. Considering either a Be Quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 or a Noctua NH-D15 at the moment - would either of these be a better, given my scenario? Or are there any particular AIOs I should be considering?

 

2. Case: What's a good quiet case that will accommodate all of this? Preferably a full-ATX tower with space for future expansion. Would a Be Quiet! Dark Base Pro 900 be a good choice? Or are there better 'quiet' cases out there?

 

3. Power Supply: I have no opinions here, and haven't had much luck finding info 'quiet' power supplies. I'm thinking something over-powered - i.e. room for expansion, and won't be running at capacity so quieter!

 

Thanks very much in advance!

 

[Streetguru]

6 minutes ago, oscarb said:

 

Probably go for the Define R6 with no window, it'll have alright air flow and be quiet in general.

Just buy the biggest air cooler you can find, the Noctua ones will be good, or there's the Scythe Fuma 2 at a lower price and it's still a dual tower cooler.

For the power supply just grab any decent 850W gold rated unit.

Do you need ECC memory? Because it doesn't seem like you do.

You can find radeon VII Cheaper on ebay
 

PCPartPicker Part List: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/yNmVr6

CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 3900X 3.8 GHz 12-Core Processor  ($499.00 @ B&H)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D15 SE-AM4 82.52 CFM CPU Cooler  ($89.90 @ Amazon)
Case: Fractal Design Define R6 USB-C ATX Mid Tower Case  ($133.00 @ Newegg Business)
Power Supply: Corsair RM (2019) 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply  ($104.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $826.89
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-08-10 23:24 EDT-0400

[oscarb]

 

 

 

 

12 minutes ago, Streetguru said:

 

Thanks v much for the tips.

 

Probably don't need ECC memory... Just seems to be the default in workstations at work for some reason, so didn't think about it.

[Streetguru]

13 hours ago, oscarb said:

Thanks v much for the tips.

 

Probably don't need ECC memory... Just seems to be the default in workstations at work for some reason, so didn't think about it.

ECC is more of a server thing, or like science/engineering simulations.

Just standard CAD/Blender rendering doesn't need it.

There's also a 3600mhz kit that looks to having decent timings too for relatively cheap right now.

So unless you need like 10gigabit ethernet you can just use a cheaper motherboard.
 

PCPartPicker Part List: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/TY7r29

CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 3900X 3.8 GHz 12-Core Processor  ($499.00 @ B&H)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D15 SE-AM4 82.52 CFM CPU Cooler  ($89.90 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus TUF GAMING X570-PLUS (WI-FI) ATX AM4 Motherboard  ($199.99 @ B&H)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper X 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3600 Memory  ($154.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R6 USB-C ATX Mid Tower Case  ($133.00 @ Newegg Business)
Power Supply: Corsair RM (2019) 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply  ($118.71 @ Amazon)
Total: $1195.59
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-08-11 12:54 EDT-0400

 

[m777y]

14 hours ago, oscarb said:

Hi!

 

I'm looking to build a powerful workstation, primarily to be used used for data analysis and numerical simulations, but dabbling in machine learning (deep-learning neural networks) and some CAD/3D rendering. I'll be running Linux, and prefer open-source drivers (i.e. AMD GPU).

 

A key priority is noise level - I want something that will be completely silent under 'normal' use. Don't mind fans winding up when it's cranking, but I don't want to hear it under routine loads (e.g. CPU @ 50-70%).

 

I'm looking for advice on cooling solutions, power supplies and cases.

 

Build so far:

CPU: Ryzen 9300X (possibly 3950X)

Motherboard: Asus Pro WS X570-ACE

GPU: Radeon VII (mainly for the 16gb VRAM... though keeping an eye on Navi23 rumours)

RAM: 2x 16gb 3200 ECC (brand-agnostic)

Storage: 1TB Samsung 970 EVO Plus (boot drive) + 2TB [other SSD] (storage). Don't want RAID - I have v regular network backups, so less concerned about drive failure.

 

Advice Wanted:

1. Cooling: I want something that will run at low RPMs under normal loads. No particular prejudice re. AIO vs. air-cooled, but leaning towards air-cooled for simplicity. Considering either a Be Quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 or a Noctua NH-D15 at the moment - would either of these be a better, given my scenario? Or are there any particular AIOs I should be considering?

 

2. Case: What's a good quiet case that will accommodate all of this? Preferably a full-ATX tower with space for future expansion. Would a Be Quiet! Dark Base Pro 900 be a good choice? Or are there better 'quiet' cases out there?

 

3. Power Supply: I have no opinions here, and haven't had much luck finding info 'quiet' power supplies. I'm thinking something over-powered - i.e. room for expansion, and won't be running at capacity so quieter!

 

Thanks very much in advance!

 

cooler dark rock pro 4(silence no compromise) , psu thermaltake toughpower grand (ultra low noise)

[oscarb]

 

 

 

 

On 8/12/2019 at 2:55 AM, Streetguru said:

ECC is more of a server thing, or like science/engineering simulations.
 

That's exactly what I'm doing... so maybe I'll look into ECC a bit more .

 

Thanks again for the tips.

[brob]

The bequiet 900 is a good case but so is the Define 6.

 

The new 3xxx cpu do not officially support ECC memory. The motherboard does indicate ECC support but there is no QVL for ECC memory modules and the Specifications tab says that ECC "support varies by CPU" without further explanation or details. That said, Crucial does list ECC memory parts for the motherboard.

 

I presume one of the reasons for the WS X570-ACE motherboard is its support for up to three gpu. This leads to the suggestion of a 1300W psu. If there are no plans for two more gpu, then a 750W - 850W psu would be sufficient.

 

Given the investment in other areas of the system it only makes sense to me to use PCIe 4.0 NVMe drives.

 

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 3900X 3.8 GHz 12-Core Processor  ($499.00 @ B&H) 
CPU Cooler: be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 50.5 CFM CPU Cooler  ($89.90 @ Amazon) 
Motherboard: Asus Pro WS X570-ACE ATX AM4 Motherboard  ($368.89 @ OutletPC) 
Memory: Crucial 16 GB (1 x 16 GB) DDR4-2666 Memory  ($96.99 @ Amazon) 
Memory: Crucial 16 GB (1 x 16 GB) DDR4-2666 Memory  ($96.99 @ Amazon) 
Storage: Corsair MP600 Force Series Gen4 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive  ($249.99 @ Best Buy) 
Storage: Corsair MP600 Force Series Gen4 2 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive  ($449.99 @ Amazon) 
Video Card: ASRock Radeon VII 16 GB Phantom Gaming X Video Card  ($707.98 @ Newegg Business) 
Case: be quiet! Dark Base 900 ATX Full Tower Case  ($199.90 @ B&H) 
Power Supply: SeaSonic PRIME Platinum 1300 W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply  ($258.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Total: $3018.62
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-08-14 20:08 EDT-0400