Workstation build advice

Nelak468 · June 12, 2021

Budget (including currency): $4000+ CAD (can go over but would prefer not to)

Country: Canada

Games, programs or workloads that it will be used for: Blender, and other various 3D modelling tools, Unreal Engine, Unity, occasional gaming but nothing that doesn't run on my surface pro well enough already

Other details (existing parts lists, whether any peripherals are needed, what you're upgrading from, when you're going to buy, what resolution and refresh rate you want to play at, etc): I have 3x 120hz 4K displays, I will stick with my 1080ti for now unless I can find a 3080 or 3090 at msrp. Otherwise I can wait.

I've built lots of computers in the past but I haven't really kept up with the hobby in the last few years beyond knowing that prices have gone crazy. I'm looking to avoid throwing my money away needlessly on pointlessly expensive parts. So I'm looking for a quick sanity check on my parts budgets and choices :

CPU: AMD 5950X (~$1200)

Memory: Min 32Gb. I believe ryzen likes speedy memory right? Is quad+ channel still a thing? I'm looking at 4000+ mhz kits with enough sticks to fill the slots. Budget $400-600?

Motherboard: as long as it supports my ram and CPU and has USB C and at least 2x M.2 slots. $300-400

Case: I like the O11 dynamic. The razer version seems to be the only one available unless I go to the mini. $200-300. I'm open to other cases as long as they aren't too gaudy or plasticy.

PSU: looking for something in the titanium efficiency range. That's the best right? It's going to be a power hungry system and any reduction in heat output will be nice. $300

Storage: Already have a 980 Pro 1TB. I might add another one. $300

Cooling: Long term I'd like to do a full loop with CPU and GPU but until I get my RTX3000 (or the way things are looking RTX5000 series), I just need sufficient cooling for the CPU. Thinking either one of the big AIO coolers or my long time favorite the NH15. $150-300.

Am I missing anything? Any obvious issues? Is the 5950 going to be a paperweight once the Ryzen 9 6000 series lands?

Time frame : I'd like to order my parts within the next week. I can wait if there is something exciting launching soon.

Edit : if anyone knows of any decent prebuilts with the 5950 and a 3080 (maybe 3090), I might consider that too. I think those are the easiest way to get a GPU now days?

trag1c · June 12, 2021

I wont really comment on the overall build since I don't pay too much attention to components anymore. But for the 5950X it cannot utilize quad channel memory but it can utilize two kits of dual channel memory. 3600MHz RAM is about the sweet spot IIRC for Ryzen 5000 series processors. Personally for RAM I would try to stick with a single kit at first so that you're capable of adding more if the situation requires later on down the road. You can pick up 2x16GB or 2x32GB kits for probably less than what you would pay for 4x8GB or 4x16GB kit. I personally would probably jump straight to 64GB's (2x32GB kit) of RAM my self as I use a lot of the same applications (additionally I also do a lot of CAD work) and I have run into scenarios where 32GB of RAM simply isn't enough. A quick look on PC part picker and you can pickup a kit of GSkill Ripjaws (64GB 2x32GB 3600MHz) for 339 USD.

Edit: Just seen that you're a fellow Canadian. 424 Canadian Rubles for that kit mentioned above at Memory Express.

Yxlop · June 12, 2021

RAM: Running ryzen beyond DDR4-3800 is meaningless without an OC on the infinity fabric. So look for 3600, either cl16 or cl14. Ryzen also doesn't like quad channel dual rank. So I wouldn't recommned running 4x16GB if it turns out you need 64GB. Crucial ballistix 2x32GB are good probably the most cost effective at 3600 CL16. Forget about higher frequency or lower timings without an OC at this capacity though. https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product/7ZWBD3/crucial-ballistix-64-gb-2-x-32-gb-ddr4-3600-cl16-memory-bl2k32g36c16u4b
For 2x16GB I would recommend 3600 CL16 also. This should be good: https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product/RCCFf7/crucial-ballistix-32-gb-2-x-16-gb-ddr4-3600-memory-bl2k16g36c16u4r , but if you want higher performance you could step it up to CL14. Couldn't find this on PCpartpicker Canada. https://pcpartpicker.com/product/RyJmP6/gskill-ripjaws-v-32-gb-2-x-16-gb-ddr4-3600-cl14-memory-f4-3600c14d-32gvk 500 CA$ 3600cl14 is not a good buy!

MOTHERBOARD:

X570 Aorus elite. Has everything you list.

https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product/nHxbt6/gigabyte-x570-aorus-elite-atx-am4-motherboard-x570-aorus-elite

Other options: X570 TUF, b550 aorus pro V2

I don't think spending more is justified, since you won't be using any more features.

Everything else is not up my alley, the case is your choice, so is the cooling, since I don't know how quiet it must be.