Help me choose a PC

[Vas]

Hi all,

 

I'm facing the decision of my computing future. First let me lay my needs. Main functions the PC will be connectivity. It will be used as media PC constantly connected to multiple display, audio and USB devices. It should also replace my Synology ds215j as a NAS and have the firepower to run CAD and mathematical(FEM) system and to run smooth in the long-term. No rendering or heavy gaming will be done on the machine, however I would like to have a room for a mid to high end GPU (GTX960-970) in future. To give the proper perspective, my current system is laptop Acer V5 573G and it works perfect for me, here’s a link: http://www.acer.com/ac/en/KH/content/series/aspirev5

The config that I have is CPU - i5 4200U / RAM - 8GB / GPU GT 750M 4GB VRAM / Full HD IPS and I’ve added M.2 SSD Samsung EVO 840.

And now for the question. I’d like to see if I could improve my setup. I’m exploring the option of getting completely new rig to become a part of all my computing needs. Main goals are, to take my Synology NAS duties and replace my laptop at the end of 3 HDMI cables, 2 headphones sets, 2 daisy chained USB hubs leading to 2 external drives, mouse, keyboard, full set of charging and data cables, 3 Gamepads, USB water purifier and so on. (The water purifier is a joke, but who knows, you get the point).

For this I need a PC that is reliable, with good I/O, efficient and durability as it’s going to be on 24/7, with good thermals, dead silence when idling, and nearly silent when used under low load. Minimal requirements are:

multiple USB3.0 + at least one 3.1 and type C

no less than 4 SATA ports, one M.2, and SATAe

and some key notes:

Thunderbolt will be good to have but comparing prices I don’t think it’s worth it.

Some server features as powering the PC via internet, protection, monitoring and management are things I’d like to have.

Other server features and in no interest to me, such as ECC, SAS, power redundancy.

SLI and Crossfire are out of the question.

No overclocking is going to be performed on the machine.

Rendering is not in my interests.

I’m open for suggestion. I’ve four options in front of me. To keep my current set up and improve a bit with some new hubs and switches. To get an old server or workstation and freshen it up a bit. The prices for such thing in my area goes from 150USD (i5-2400, Q6600 or E5335) to 400USD (i5-4570, i7-2600 or proper Xeon dual-E5645 or single-X5550). Option three is to get new Haswell based system, as they still offer better variety in motherboards and features. And the option that I’m currently going for is to get a new Skylake system.

This is what I’ve selected for now:

Case:            Fractal Design Node 605 or Core 500 if I go for mITX

MB:               Gigabyte Z170X-Gaming 3 or Asus Z170-A or MSI Z170I Gaming Pro AC if I go for mITX

PSU:             I’m choosing between Corsair RM, RMx and Seasonic SS Platinum

CPU:             Is to be decided between i5 6600 and i7 6700, I’m open for suggestion. Also now sure about the overlook-able version, the price difference is negligible, but are there drawbacks, such as power consumption and head output.

CPU fan:       Be Quiet Pure Rock

RAM:             Kingston HyperX Fury (2x8GB)

 

I’m attaching a spreadsheet + .pdfif you don't have any office suit with link and pricing in my location (the prices are in BGN) you can check it, I’m open for suggestion if I underestimate a component or made an overkill somewhere please, feel free to give me an advice.

Thank you all.

PC.xls

PC.pdf

[I am an SSD]

If there is any chance of overclocking, I would suggest going for that version, because the gain is performance is worth it when you compare the amount you paid for it...

 

Also go for the i7 6700k ...again the price difference is worth it . 

[Xaring]

Budget? You say prices of CPUs but you dont actually tell us what your max budget is

I believe you should go for a Xeon build to be honest. For example if you can find a 1240v5, its a great CPU for your needs.

Of course, you will need a GPU if you go this route, if you dont wanna get a 1070 yet, you can also settle for a cheap and crappy 620 with a fan-less design, which will give you up to 3 displays if i recall correctly, but dont expect to game at all on it. If you dont want to game, but want the extra graphical prowess, grab a GTX950.

 

[Vas]

Thank you for the reply.

@I am an SSD I'll not overclock, and if i don't find any significant difference between 6600(6700) and not overclocked 6600K(6700K) i'll go for the K version just for the "cherry picking process".

@Xaring The budged is flexible, I'm OK spending around 1K USD for the machine without GPU nor Storage, I don't need the GPU now, and the storage i already have. However the lower the requirements are met the better. The Xeons are quite attractive solution for me as they fit perfectly in my use case and older once are quite reliable and cheep. I'm a bit concern about them because they are professional products. In my experience they are a bit harder to tame, than their plug and play enthusiast counterparts. I'm not sure if i could spend the time learning all of its bells and whistles.

[I am an SSD]

5 minutes ago, Vas said:

Thank you for the reply.

@I am an SSD I'll not overclock, and if i don't find any significant difference between 6600(6700) and not overclocked 6600K(6700K) i'll go for the K version just for the "cherry picking process".

@Xaring The budged is flexible, I'm OK spending around 1K USD for the machine without GPU nor Storage, I don't need the GPU now, and the storage i already have. However the lower the requirements are met the better. The Xeons are quite attractive solution for me as they fit perfectly in my use case and older once are quite reliable and cheep. I'm a bit concern about them because they are professional products. In my experience they are a bit harder to tame, than their plug and play enthusiast counterparts. I'm not sure if i could spend the time learning all of its bells and whistles.

If you are not going to overclock, you can save money by going for the non k version and not buying a CPU cooler. Use the stock cooler instead

[Xaring]

So ive been looking into the CXXX Mobos, and unluckily they dont seem to come with m.2 slots and esata 

You will have to stick to a 6700 and a z170 (Im MSI fanboy myself so :P) DOnt pick the "k" if it is more than a 10USD increase, it is not worth it, as you are already waying you wont EVER overclock.

Also stick to your current GPU, works better then the integrated one and CAD can make use of GPU acceleration.

[Vas]

Thank you again for the reply

I normally aimed to the non K series as my research shown that 6xxx are fine tuned and the 6xxxK some things are left for you to do. Intel site also point that 6xxx have better heat tolerance and lower TDP. And the question is are the 6xxxK really more power consuming constantly, or is that just optional because of overclock-able.

@I am an SSD I will buy a CPU cooler to keep what whatever i choose to low temperature with lower RPM for silence purposes.

@Xaring There are some good solutions on the server site, however they are still on Haswell or even older. That's why i end up going for the more mainstream parts, and to keep some headaches away.

Also at this point i can find the 6700K to 10USD cheaper than the 6700 . But this is a temporary state of the market that i'm in. Normally the 6700K goes for 410USD and the 6700 for 370USD but now i can take 6700K for 360USD.

[Xaring]

Then go for that K one!
As you said, the Ks are open for the end user, and that is positive, you can even underclock it to make it run cooler if its in your interest (going fanless, for example), but you shouldn't worry about temperatures anyways, even if your CPu is sitting in high 70s low 80s all the time it wouldnt harm it, id only worry if it hits 90C or more, as that might damage it long-term. So no, the "K" versions dont consume more power if you dont make them.
Just to extend on the topic, you can grab one of those massive CPU coolers, a noctua or a be quiet, for example and run them fanless, and they will do a fine job of keeping the CPU from not burning itself. (although you have to be carefull, i wouldn't recommend this when you are gaming, the CPU will thermalthrottle)