Budget Workstation/Gaming Build

[Dumbtack]

Hello...

 

I'm new to this Tech forum support, I just wanted some input on a build I'm making for a friend.

 

So the situation is that my friend wants a new PC for Work Station applications and gaming on the side. I've did a lot of research on this build/topic but I want another opinion from you guys. My friend's budget is around $750.00 (USD), and would prefer lower if possible. It was either between Intel or AMD of course. So I made builds for both platforms on PCPartPicker. The links for both builds will be below. For the Intel's build I chose a Xeon processor, due to the fact that Xeon processors are meant for workstation and server builds and applications. A Xeon E3-1220 V3 processor is what I went with for what it was worth and due to the amount of good rating it had for a $195.00 (USD) processor. For the Motherboard I went with a ASRock H97m Pro4. I wanted a board that was cheap, had good features, and was on the 1150 CPU socket and ?97 chipset. And for a $70.00ish (USD) Motherboard, I couldn't go wrong with that. I chose an H97 board instead of a Z97 board because I've heard that H97 aren't meant for Overclocking, tweaking and was for reliability. That was what I wanted and plus Xeon processor arent meant for Overclocking in the first place. For Memory, I don't really know much about how Memory affects Workstations, So I went with 2x8 for a total of 16 Gigabytes of RAM (Speed: 1600, Cas Latency: 9). And also because the AsRock Mother only supports up to 32GB of DDR3-1600 Memory. Okay now for the GPUs. This part was really confusing for me, and had to do a lot of research for this part of the build. So for the Workstation part I went with a Nvidia Quadro Refresh k620 for the pricing mostly and its an entry level workstation GPU. My friend uses basic workstation applications, small amount of CAD, Photoshop, and Auto desk, nothing too heavy. Now for the Gaming Part, I went with a Nvidia GeForce 750ti because for the pricing aswell, A $150.00 (USD) GPU that will give him low/med settings on the latest games is perfect. I've heard that you can have both a gaming GPU (Radeon and GeForce) and a Workstation GPU (FirePro and Quadro) on the same motherboard in one system and switch between them. Link to that is below.

 

Now for the AMD side of things. I went with an APU processor, an A10 7850K. The Motherboard that I picked is a MSI A88X-E45. Memory I chose 2x8 for a total of 16GB (Speed:2133, Cas Latency: 10). This MSI Motherboard only supports 32Gb up to 2133 speed. I chose 2133 Memory because on a APU system its better off going with the highest speed that the board takes because the APU uses system Memory. Link will be below. Now for GPUs. I chose for the workstation side of things a FirePro W4100 mostly for Pricing and the features it has. For the gaming side of things I went with a R7 250 BECAUSE I want to enable Dual graphics with the APU. and the R7 250 is the highest GPU that will be compatible with this APU.

 

Now this is where you guys come in. I want to know if these parts are good for what it is worth and give me some feedback on weather or not I should change or leave it as it is. I need your HELP. Please.

 

 

Thank you!  

 

P.S: I saw Linus doing this build for way more that I'm asking for. Two GPU (Quadro & GeForce).

 

ULTIMATE Video Editing Workstation PC Computer "How To" Build Guide

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhkJLF3oyI8

 

Also, Tell me if I should go with a Xeon or an i7 Processor for price to performance.

 

Another thing, I have a 650w Power Supply, Case, And a 500GB Western Digital Black Hard Drive. This is why I didn't include it in the links below.

 

PCPartPicker Links:

 

Intel: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/CHJBJx

AMD: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/ZpNsgs

 

Gaming GPU (Radeon and GeForce) Workstation GPU (FirePro and Quadro) Hybrid PC: 

https://grabcad.com/questions/how-can-i-build-a-computer-for-both-gaming-and-work-hybrid-computer-build

 

AMD APU Onboard Graphics Performance - Does Faster RAM Really Matter?? NCIX Tech Tips:

  Thank you again.

[Imakuni]

Uh.... some wrong choices there. First, the Xeon + mobo. Change the CPU to the E3-1230 v3 and the mobo to the cheapest H81 that has all the features you need (mainly sata ports). Trust me, H97 isn't worth your money.

 

Next, the GPU. If he's not doing anything major, there's no need for a quadro setup. Just get one strong card; it can do great gaming, and will do just fine on the tasks he needs. Again, that's assuming he's not doing anything major, as you said yourself.

 

Also... won't you need PSU, case and HDs?

[Dumbtack]

First I want to say Thank you for replying.

 

Like I said in the post, I have a 650w power supply, Case and Hard drive.

Well, from what he told me, He wants this PC mostly for a Workstation setup. So If he got the Quadro setup he might want to do more heavy professional applications.

And Why which to a 1230v3 from a 1220v3. The 1220v3 works with that motherboard I chose.

[Marcosoft]

First of all, you don't need to go intel+nvidia or red team, they are compatible with each other. I know quadro/firepro cards have workstation specific attributes but spending $300+ on two low end graphics cards just sounds extremely inefficient. If you were to go with amd you should go with an FX8xxx eight core, multicore is always better for those kinds of programs.

 

That aside, I would suggest going with the intel Xeon E3-1230 v3, and probably a GTX 970 (for the CUDA cores and is about the same price as quadro+750ti).

Mobo is very personal and you can cut costs there too since it doesn't impact performance that much, just features, sata ports, raid support, etc. 16 GB is good enough and you can always add some more later if needed.

[Dumbtack]

970 is way over his budget. 300+ gpu.

[Dumbtack]

Well you do got a point.

[Dumbtack]

First of all, you don't need to go intel+nvidia or red team, they are compatible with each other. I know quadro/firepro cards have workstation specific attributes but spending $300+ on two low end graphics cards just sounds extremely inefficient. If you were to go with amd you should go with an FX8xxx eight core, multicore is always better for those kinds of programs.

 

That aside, I would suggest going with the intel Xeon E3-1230 v3, and probably a GTX 970 (for the CUDA cores and is about the same price as quadro+750ti).

Mobo is very personal and you can cut costs there too since it doesn't impact performance that much, just features, sata ports, raid support, etc. 16 GB is good enough and you can always add some more later if needed.

So I should go with a Xeon processor and go with a high end GPU? Why 1230v3 than 1220v3. 1230v3 is like $50+ more than 1220v3

[Marcosoft]

Yes. Most workstations I've seen just use high end GForce graphics cards because they are aimed for consumers instead of companies and thus have no "price premium" for features you don't really need.

The 1230 v3 has hyperthreading enabled which maximizes usage of each CPU core and higher clock speed, should be quite faster. Remember the main difference between i5 and most i7s is the latter is hyperthreaded.

[Dumbtack]

Yes. Most workstations I've seen just use high end GForce graphics cards because they are aimed for consumers instead of companies and thus have no "price premium" for features you don't really need.

The 1230 v3 has hyperthreading enabled which maximizes usage of each CPU core and higher clock speed, should be quite faster. Remember the main difference between i5 and most i7s is the latter is hyperthreaded.

Okay. Does 1231v3 have Hyerthreading?

[Marcosoft]

Yes and it's 100 mhz faster.

[Dumbtack]

Yes and it's 100 mhz faster.

Awesome! Thanks.

Okay lets say I go with AMD right? Which processor would be the best in this scenario?

[Marcosoft]

I did some research and apparently the 1231 v3 uses a newer technology and may have some compatibility issues with older mother boards or boards without the supporting BIOS. Check before buying
 

On AMD side, the highest end are the FX 8350/70 9590, the most popular being the 8350. These CPUs are crazy overclockers you should be aiming for that. They also draw more energy and outputs more heat (the 9xxx series include an AIO water cooler, since air is just not enough). You then must consider getting a good mobo with good overclocking capabilities, better cooling solutions and maybe a higher wattage PSU.

I would stick with the 970.

 

I hope some Red Team fan comes around and defends AMD since I cannot see any reason to recommend them in this case 

[Dumbtack]

I did some research and apparently the 1231 v3 uses a newer technology and may have some compatibility issues with older mother boards or boards without the supporting BIOS. Check before buying

 

On AMD side, the highest end are the FX 8350/70 9590, the most popular being the 8350. These CPUs are crazy overclockers you should be aiming for that. They also draw more energy and outputs more heat (the 9xxx series include an AIO water cooler, since air is just not enough). You then must consider getting a good mobo with good overclocking capabilities, better cooling solutions and maybe a higher wattage PSU.

I would stick with the 970.

 

I hope some Red Team fan comes around and defends AMD since I cannot see any reason to recommend them in this case 

Oh okay, What are the newer Technology that the 1231v3 has?

And is it compatible with Gigabyte GA-H87-D3H? Can you check for me. I really appreciate that you are taking your time and help me with this. Thank you again.

[Marcosoft]

http://www.cpu-upgrade.com/CPUs/Intel/Xeon/E3-1231_v3_motherboards.html

http://www.cpu-upgrade.com/mb-Gigabyte/GA-H87-D3H(rev._1.x).html

 

Apparently it will work just fine. The technology is called Haswell Refresh.

My pleasure, sir

[Dumbtack]

http://www.cpu-upgrade.com/CPUs/Intel/Xeon/E3-1231_v3_motherboards.html

http://www.cpu-upgrade.com/mb-Gigabyte/GA-H87-D3H(rev._1.x).html

 

Apparently it will work just fine. The technology is called Haswell Refresh.

My pleasure, sir

Okay, What if I added the Quadro right? Which other graphic card can go with that and be good for gaming? Cause you said a 970 is better than those 2 combine but when I removed the Quadro and added the 970, it went over the budget. would a 960 or another card do the trick?

[Marcosoft]

Do you have access to mail-in-rebates (those shitty discounts some retailers offer that requires you to send a bunch of paperwork and hope for a refund)? If you are only going to game with the other card, at that price point ($200ish I suppose), AMD cards offer better price to performance ratio. I would probably buy the R9 280/280x if less the 270x is a great cost efficient card

[Dumbtack]

Do you have access to mail-in-rebates (those shitty discounts some retailers offer that requires you to send a bunch of paperwork and hope for a refund)? If you are only going to game with the other card, at that price point ($200ish I suppose), AMD cards offer better price to performance ratio. I would probably buy the R9 280/280x if less the 270x is a great cost efficient card

I do have access to Mail-in-rebates, But my friend said he doesn't like Mail-in-rebates. I want a $150ish (USD) GPU that delivers great performance for the price. 

[Marcosoft]

Ok that would be the Sapphire R9 270X, currently $145 on amazon including the MIR. The R7 260X is $120ish and has some cool features like true audio and mantle support.

He is just below the sweetspot for a great PC. I suggest not cheaping out now and/or save some more money and he would be getting so much more for his money. PCPartPicker doesn't work on this computer (workplace). I'll try and research some more and give you what exactly I would pick.

You can check out other people's builds using the E3-1231 v3 there and compare. Most people spent around $1100 considering an SSD, PSU, Case, cooling solutions, etc.

[Dumbtack]

Ok that would be the Sapphire R9 270X, currently $145 on amazon including the MIR. The R7 260X is $120ish and has some cool features like true audio and mantle support.

He is just below the sweetspot for a great PC. I suggest not cheaping out now and/or save some more money and he would be getting so much more for his money. PCPartPicker doesn't work on this computer (workplace). I'll try and research some more and give you what exactly I would pick.

You can check out other people's builds using the E3-1231 v3 there and compare. Most people spent around $1100 considering an SSD, PSU, Case, cooling solutions, etc.

Thank you. I just wanted more opinions/options. Also I have some components already. PSU, HDD, Case.

[Dumbtack]

@Marcosoft

So I found a Xeon that has Hyper-Threading Technology. Xeon 1230 V2. for $189.99 (USD)

[Marcosoft]

 

@Marcosoft

So I found a Xeon that has Hyper-Threading Technology. Xeon 1230 V2. for $189.99 (USD)

 

I never read that sorry. Apparently that is good too but it uses the LGA1155 socket. You then need to find a motherboard with that socket and since it is a bit outdated you may struggle to get it, it may also have less features too

[Dumbtack]

 

 

 

I never read that sorry. Apparently that is good too but it uses the LGA1155 socket. You then need to find a motherboard with that socket and since it is a bit outdated you may struggle to get it, it may also have less features too

 

It's okay. Yeah I know it uses LGA1155 Socket. I found a motherboard that is compatible. I found an ASRock B75 matx motherboard. I know its a "Business type motherboard but for the price it has all that my friends wants anyways. http://pcpartpicker.com/p/P73jCJ