Developer Workstation + Gaming

[ed11ward]

1. Budget & Location

Hard Limit $2,500 USD, preferred closer to $2,000. Live in Pennsylvania, US 

 

2. Aim

Main use time-wise is for programming, but I want to be able to game when not working. I haven't played any major game released in the last 3-4 years so i'd love to catch up on some of the bigger titles. 

Use will probably also include on and off virtualization, (virtual machine/containers/etc) and I have some interest in getting into machine learning (Which is why I'm leaning to towards Nvidia over AMD for gpu)

 

3. Monitors

I have 2 classic 60hz 1080p displays, If budget allows I also want to add a 120+hz 1440 display. If not I'll buy one around the end of the year. End result is to use all three in os but only game in the high refresh system. Would love recommendations on monitor as I have no idea what I want.

 

4. Peripherals

Not considering peripheral\os prices in the budget. Will either use ones I have or purchase separately.

 

5. Why are you upgrading?

Upgrading my 10 year old desktop (i7 860, 8GB Ram, Radeon R9 380)

Looking for something with power to last at least 5+ years and support a gpu update somewhere in the middle. Planning to purchase before end of march.

 

Some things i'm struggling with, 

Have I selected a high quality enough Mobo for 3900x?

Maybe the 3900x is overkill, downgrade to 3800x?

Considering a downgrade on gpu, maybe 2060 Super?

Considering re-using my case (Antec 1200), but I'm really loving the look of the corsair Crystal cases, Only wish I could fit in the microatx variant, but the only 4 dim board is made by asrock who I don't trust and is rated low on tier list

Considering a switch to air cooling for reliability 

I may have some brand hangups not having build a pc in 10 year, seems like some of the budget brands you'd never buy from for a quality system 10 years ago make some actual quality parts now.

I'll also probably throw a extra 2.5in ssd in the case after a few months depending how much i leave installed at once.

 

 

CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 3900X 3.8 GHz 12-Core Processor  ($493.84 @ B&H) 
CPU Cooler: Corsair H115i RGB PLATINUM 97 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  ($169.99 @ Corsair) 
Motherboard: Gigabyte X570 AORUS ELITE ATX AM4 Motherboard  ($196.08 @ Amazon) 
Memory: G.Skill Trident Z Neo 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3600 Memory  ($179.99 @ Newegg) 
Memory: G.Skill Trident Z Neo 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3600 Memory  ($179.99 @ Newegg) 
Storage: Corsair MP600 Force Series Gen4 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive  ($214.99 @ Corsair) 
Video Card: Asus GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER 8 GB DUAL EVO OC Video Card  ($529.99 @ B&H) 
Case: Corsair Crystal Series 680X RGB ATX Mid Tower Case  ($268.98 @ Newegg) 
Power Supply: Corsair HX Platinum 750 W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply  ($139.99 @ Corsair) 
Total: $2373.84

Thanks in advance for advice.

[brob]

A 3700X should be enough for software development. The 3800X is usually not worth the extra cost. Although I have heard that some local merchants are selling the 3800X at a price quite close to the 3700X.

 

This build increases the RGB factor and allows for synchronization across various components.

 

There shouldn't be a need for 64GB of memory. But if you do want that much, make sure you get a 4x16GB kit.

 

When using a glass case an aio improves appearances. 

 

Consider the Lian-Li PC-011 case. It is smaller than something like the 680X RGB.

 

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 3700X 3.6 GHz 8-Core Processor  ($322.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
CPU Cooler: Asus ROG RYUJIN 360 121.8 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  ($278.99 @ Newegg) 
Motherboard: Asus ROG Strix X570-E Gaming ATX AM4 Motherboard  ($299.99 @ Amazon) 
Memory: G.Skill Trident Z RGB 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory  ($154.99 @ Newegg) 
Storage: Corsair MP600 Force Series Gen4 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive  ($214.99 @ Corsair) 
Video Card: Asus GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER 8 GB STRIX GAMING Advanced Video Card  ($583.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Case: Lian Li PC-O11 Dynamic ATX Full Tower Case  ($139.00 @ Adorama) 
Power Supply: Corsair RMx (2018) 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply  ($103.97 @ Amazon) 
Case Fan: Cooler Master MF120R ARGB 3in1  59 CFM 120 mm Fans  ($48.93 @ Amazon) 
Total: $2147.84
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2020-01-08 22:57 EST-0500

[boggy77]

PCPartPicker Part List

Type	Item	Price
CPU	AMD Ryzen 9 3900X 3.8 GHz 12-Core Processor	$493.84 @ Amazon
CPU Cooler	be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 50.5 CFM CPU Cooler	$88.99 @ SuperBiiz
Motherboard	Asus PRIME X570-P ATX AM4 Motherboard	$149.99 @ B&H
Memory	G.Skill Ripjaws V 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3600 Memory	$144.99 @ Newegg
Storage	Sabrent Rocket 4.0 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive	$179.98 @ Amazon
Storage	Crucial MX500 2 TB 2.5" Solid State Drive	$213.48 @ Amazon
Video Card	EVGA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER 8 GB XC ULTRA GAMING Video Card	$503.98 @ Newegg
Case	Cooler Master MasterBox Pro 5 RGB ATX Mid Tower Case	$94.99 @ Amazon
Power Supply	Corsair RMx (2018) 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply	$103.97 @ Amazon
Case Fan	Corsair LL120RGB LED (Three Fans With Lighting Node PRO) 43.25 CFM 120 mm Fans	$92.88 @ Newegg
Monitor	Acer VG271U Pbmiipx 27.0" 2560x1440 144 Hz Monitor	$349.99 @ Amazon
	Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts
	Total (before mail-in rebates)	$2437.08
	Mail-in rebates	-$20.00
	Total	$2417.08
	Generated by PCPartPicker 2020-01-09 03:08 EST-0500

 

[ed11ward]

First, Thank You @brob @boggy77 both for your replies. They've given me some things to think about.

 

I actually really do like the O11, but the Full Tower description turned me off case as i was hoping to go smaller, so It's very interesting you've stated its smaller, I'm def switching to it for now on planning but i'll have to drive out to micro center to look at them before my final decision.

 

I get that 3700x is plenty for almost everything, but at only a extra $170 the 3900x is really hard to turn down. Probably still just geeking on the concept of having 24 "threads". If I compromise anything 3700x sounds like the pick.

 

I understand moving to 360mm aio for the O11, but damn that's an expensive cooler, and given the prominent mounting non-rgb is a hard pill to shallow. Then again the vrm fans looks nice, wish i had best of both worlds. Pinning it for now but not sure what i want from it.

 

Half considering going full black noctua fans, and only adding a hit of RBG with Phanteks Neon Kit

Half considering switching aio to a corsair h150i and just throwing another 3 pack of the LL120 on instead of the included fans down the line

 

Generally blended some things from both your builds here. Shaves about $200 off and feel like the parts may be a bit better

 

 

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 3900X 3.8 GHz 12-Core Processor  ($493.84 @ B&H) 
CPU Cooler: Asus ROG RYUJIN 360 121.8 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  ($278.99 @ B&H) 
Motherboard: Asus PRIME X570-P ATX AM4 Motherboard  ($149.99 @ B&H) 
Memory: G.Skill Trident Z Neo 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3600 Memory  ($179.99 @ Newegg) 
Storage: Corsair MP600 Force Series Gen4 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive  ($200.99 @ Newegg) 
Video Card: EVGA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER 8 GB XC ULTRA GAMING Video Card  ($503.98 @ Newegg) 
Case: Lian Li PC-O11 Dynamic ATX Full Tower Case  ($139.00 @ Adorama) 
Power Supply: Corsair RMx (2018) 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply  ($103.97 @ Newegg) 
Case Fan: Corsair LL120RGB LED (Three Fans With Lighting Node PRO) 43.25 CFM 120 mm Fans  ($129.99 @ Newegg) 
Total: $2180.74
 

[Fraya]

are you set on having the RTX 2070 Super GPU?  its good for games, and will also do work, but if its mainly a work station PC would you be better off with a GPU that is better for work / rendering etc? 

for sure i would just get a 32GB memory kit (duel channel) and then it leaves you the option in the future to get another (same) kit to make it 64GB, then you can put the money into some other area instead. 

 

[brob]

You should explore the possibility of controlling the Corsair rgb lighting using the motherboard aura sync. Otherwise synchronizing all of the lighting may prove difficult to not possible.

[ed11ward]

@Frayia I'm not set on the 2070 Super, but I'm also not planning on doing any rendering. I also don't know if I'd call this a workstation, I plan it to be my Home PC. My day-to-day work will be in the office with another machine. So this just targets my home use which will be some development, some learning of new tools, and gaming. All together I guess I'm just kind of trying to build a solid all-around machine that I can run for years. I previously had a 5700xt picked out, I really wish i could go with that, but I'm looking to pick up some machine learning, and the support for AMD in these early days doesn't seem great so I didn't want to box myself out. That said, while I'm not sure if it's your intent, but you have me thinking I'll look into the frameworks more. If ML runs on AMD, just slower, do I really care if it runs slower? It's not for work it's just hobby and learning, If I needed more horsepower at work for it, I'd get hardware from them. From a pure gaming standpoint vs. Cost, is there a better option?

 

@brob Oh! I looked into this and I see what you're talking about. I did not expect this compatibility issue. Last time I built a PC they barely came with any LED's let alone RGB, I though the interface was standard for the hardware. Ugg. I guess I'll have to decide my ascetic before picking case fans. I'll look up compatibility from there. Thanks for the heads up!

[Fraya]

11 hours ago, ed11ward said:

@Frayia I'm not set on the 2070 Super, but I'm also not planning on doing any rendering. I also don't know if I'd call this a workstation, I plan it to be my Home PC. My day-to-day work will be in the office with another machine. So this just targets my home use which will be some development, some learning of new tools, and gaming. All together I guess I'm just kind of trying to build a solid all-around machine that I can run for years. I previously had a 5700xt picked out, I really wish i could go with that, but I'm looking to pick up some machine learning, and the support for AMD in these early days doesn't seem great so I didn't want to box myself out. That said, while I'm not sure if it's your intent, but you have me thinking I'll look into the frameworks more. If ML runs on AMD, just slower, do I really care if it runs slower? It's not for work it's just hobby and learning, If I needed more horsepower at work for it, I'd get hardware from them. From a pure gaming standpoint vs. Cost, is there a better option?

 

@brob Oh! I looked into this and I see what you're talking about. I did not expect this compatibility issue. Last time I built a PC they barely came with any LED's let alone RGB, I though the interface was standard for the hardware. Ugg. I guess I'll have to decide my ascetic before picking case fans. I'll look up compatibility from there. Thanks for the heads up!

The RTX 2080ti would do everything, from games to workload, only downside is the high cost, high heat and energy used. 

a 2080 or 2080 Super would be probably better deal and allow you to have money for other things. i think the 2080 RTX has more Cuda cores than the 2070 RTX so good for a workhorse PC and games. 

 

AMD is still worth looking at, i used to always use AMD CPU / GPU, then a few years ago i switched when Intel and Nvidia was way above AMD for performance. now things have changed, its work looking at reviews, videos, read about the specs between all the GPU's your interested in before buying it.