Non-Gamer Workstation

[ZX_SPECTRUM]

hello everyone 

i would like to get some suggestions concerning the right choice for components family,

first of all i am not a gamer 

actually i need to build SFF  PC for  demanding (non-graphically )applications like:

- VHDL simulation and synthesizers

- Matlab engineering packages

- Microprocessor emulators

- some other scientific programming 

actually i am drawn more toward XEON processors since they are more appropriate for workstation platforms

but here is the thing: actually i want my PC to be as modular and genuine as possible so i need to stay away from special non-desktop motherboards or DDR4-only RAM.

 in other words; i need to build a PC that in case i needed in the future to replace the motherboard or add  more memory, i would be able to use standard components because where i live we have very limited product choice  at the market so i am not comfortable with server-only motherboards, but again remember i am not a gamer or a casual enthusiast so i don't need fancy features on my motherboard like build in wifi, super high definition sound , crossfire technology... all of these mean nothing to me (i don't even need dedicated graphics card)

 

in case you thing that i should forget about XEON if i want to stay standard, then do you think i need the HT feature of i7 (although i like the 8MB cache that i7 offer)

did i forget to say that i don't intend to overclock the CPU

what do you think guys and please suggest me an appropriate motherboard that goes with the CPU but don't forget i want it to be mini-itx and  basic without crazy gamer features

by the way my budget is little less than 1000$

thanks a lot

 

 

 

[bimmerman]

Do you use GPU or Parallel computing toolboxes in Matlab? There have not been enough tests to say for certain whether Matlab has any preference for Intel or AMD CPUs at this stage. I would stay away from the Xeons simply for budget reasons.

 

You may want to look into AMD's R7 chips.

[ZX_SPECTRUM]

Just now, bimmerman said:

Do you use GPU or Parallel computing toolboxes in Matlab? There have not been enough tests to say for certain whether Matlab has any preference for Intel or AMD CPUs at this stage. I would stay away from the Xeons simply for budget reasons.

 

You may want to look into AMD's R7 chips.

thank you for your replay 

actually i prefer to stay in Intel category

[LienusLateTips]

11 minutes ago, ZX_SPECTRUM said:

thank you for your replay 

actually i prefer to stay in Intel category

Go Ryzen. Its much better for your use case. Especially with the new workstation Threadripper/Ryzen 9 lineup.

[The Sloth]

19 minutes ago, ZX_SPECTRUM said:

actually i prefer to stay in Intel category

no real advantage, wait for ryzen 16c/ 32t chips. 

[ZX_SPECTRUM]

21 hours ago, JDE said:

Go Ryzen. Its much better for your use case. Especially with the new workstation Threadripper/Ryzen 9 lineup.

would Ryzen work on a the same  mothersboard for cori7

[ZX_SPECTRUM]

21 hours ago, nerdslayer1 said:

no real advantage, wait for ryzen 16c/ 32t chips. 

is there a motherboard that can take both corei7 ro Ryzen

i need to stay as standard and modular as possible because of the limited availability of components where i live

i am accounting for the possibility of replace,emt because of damage 

[The Sloth]

Just now, ZX_SPECTRUM said:

is there a motherboard that can take both corei7 ro Ryzen

No

[ZX_SPECTRUM]

Just now, nerdslayer1 said:

No

so i have to stay on the blue side because intel is more available where  live

i trying to build a computer for the next 5 years guys

so it is all about being able to replace damaged parts in the future

[LienusLateTips]

47 minutes ago, ZX_SPECTRUM said:

so i have to stay on the blue side because intel is more available where  live

i trying to build a computer for the next 5 years guys

so it is all about being able to replace damaged parts in the future

Are you sure? What country are you in?

[ZX_SPECTRUM]

Intel supporting Motherboards are more popular here and thus they are more available

so my concern is that after 2-3 years something might happens to the motherboard ad i will need to replace it but since my processor is AMD (in case i went with Ryzen) then i would be difficult to my a replacement

so i prefer to go with what more common here and stay with intel CPU and intel motherboard

that is why i was asking: for the domain of application i am using do i need corei7 (do i need hyperthreading) or maybe i5 is enough

or even should think about xeon but do these require special motherboard other than the standard that take i5-i7?  

what do you think guys

your suggestions are highly appreciated 

 

[LienusLateTips]

If you have to go Intel, go with an i7. It has more threads. Go with something like the i7 6850K at $600 (Won't even match Ryzen 7 1700) and then buy something like a 1050 Ti for graphics stuff (CUDA, video output) and then I guess its the best solution if your forced Intel.

[Phate.exe]

52 minutes ago, ZX_SPECTRUM said:

is there a motherboard that can take both corei7 ro Ryzen

i need to stay as standard and modular as possible because of the limited availability of components where i live

i am accounting for the possibility of replace,emt because of damage 

No, but Ryzen will work on any AM4 motherboard.  An R7 1700 would be my choice for a workstation that actually requires some CPU power.  Lots of cores.  Lots of processing threads.  Affordable.  Runs pretty cool and doesn't use a ton of power.

 

If it needs to be small formfactor, just get an mATX motherboard and a mini tower.  You won't need crazy fast/expensive DDR4 since you're not gaming, so just grab whatever's cheap.  Most simulations that aren't GPU-accelerated will use as many CPU threads as you can throw at them.  Ryzen 7 has double the threads of the desktop i7's, and an i5 would not likely be suited to this task at all.

 

Ryzen does not have a built in GPU, so you'll need to grab one.  If the software you use offers GPU-acceleration, look to see if it's CUDA or OpenCL.  If only CUDA acceleration is available, grab an Nvidia GPU.

[ZX_SPECTRUM]

Just now, JDE said:

If you have to go Intel, go with an i7. It has more threads. Go with something like the i7 6850K at $600 (Won't even match Ryzen 7 1700) and then buy something like a 1050 Ti for graphics stuff (CUDA, video output) and then I guess its the best solution if your forced Intel.

thanks for the information

could you please suggest me a basic essential but reliable motherboard to go with the CPU:

- it gotta be mini-itx as i am building SFF PC

- no need for gamer features on it

- no need for wifi

- no need for multiple slots for graphics

- no need for HD sound

just the essential and basic stuff to get i7 working properly

and as i said it should be reliable

[ZX_SPECTRUM]

6 minutes ago, Phate.exe said:

No, but Ryzen will work on any AM4 motherboard.  An R7 1700 would be my choice for a workstation that actually requires some CPU power.  Lots of cores.  Lots of processing threads.  Affordable.  Runs pretty cool and doesn't use a ton of power.

 

If it needs to be small formfactor, just get an mATX motherboard and a mini tower.  You won't need crazy fast/expensive DDR4 since you're not gaming, so just grab whatever's cheap.  Most simulations that aren't GPU-accelerated will use as many CPU threads as you can throw at them.  Ryzen 7 has double the threads of the desktop i7's, and an i5 would not likely be suited to this task at all.

 

Ryzen does not have a built in GPU, so you'll need to grab one.  If the software you use offers GPU-acceleration, look to see if it's CUDA or OpenCL.  If only CUDA acceleration is available, grab an Nvidia GPU.

actually i was thinking to count on motherboard integrated graphics  so i won't need to spend for dedicated GPU

 

[DUS x SSJ4 x]

Postage is always there. In fact I order almost all my stuff online these days even with plenty of stores in reasonable distance.

If you absolutely need to stick to what your local shops can supply maybe link a parts list of what they offer. Also as a retailer they can order anything you like as long as they are a dealer of the brand you want. Also AMD isn't exactly a start up so I really would not be concerned about availability.

And when talking about replacing parts. The motherboard is literally the only part that couldn't be shared between intel and amd, or even between difference gens of either brand the cpu support changes every time. RAM, harddrives, cables, power supply, cases etc etc are all the same.

Your budget is $1000

The reasonable i7 cpus in that range are 4 cores 8 threads. Push 60% of your budget just on CPU and youre looking at 6 cores and 12 threads. Plus the stock coolers are terrible so theres another chunk of change to consider.

Ryzen 1700 is 8 cores and 16 threads and is cheaper than both the 7700k and 6850K. Plus the stock cooler is amazing, more money saved. I really think you should put more thought into going AMD the CPU is the is the big ticket item for workstations in the same way GPU's are for gaming. You'd be instantly building a sub optimal system (just look at the specs) for your needs at higher cost. In fact you could easily get a spare motherboard the only non interchangeable part with the change saved from not getting the 6 core i7 6850K. And a gpu for that matter.

For a workstation the intel chips in your budget just are not ideal. And you cant drop all your money on the cpu either, if youre worried about longevity spending a decent amount on a power supply is needed. and maybe the second thing to budget for imo.

Use https://au.pcpartpicker.com/list/  to mock up a system and to make sure you balance your build and budget.


 

[Phate.exe]

7 minutes ago, ZX_SPECTRUM said:

actually i was thinking to count on motherboard integrated graphics  so i won't need to spend for dedicated GPU

 

Depending on the software you're using, you actually might want to get a GPU for OpenCL or CUDA acceleration to greatly speed up your workflow.

 

But something like an old GT 700-series, or the new GT 1030 costs very little and doesn't use much power.

[ZX_SPECTRUM]

Ok guys i think you convinced me about going red this time. (actually for the first time ever)

so could you please suggest me a basic essential but reliable motherboard to go with the AMD CPU:

- it gotta be mini-itx as i am building SFF PC

- no need for gamer features on it

- no need for wifi

- no need for multiple slots for graphics

- no need for HD sound

just the essential and basic stuff to get i7 working properly

and as i said it should be reliable

by the way i cramping all my gear into silver stone sugo sg13B so would the stock cooler fit in there (61mm)

 

  

[DUS x SSJ4 x]

9 minutes ago, ZX_SPECTRUM said:

Ok guys i think you convinced me about going red this time. (actually for the first time ever)

so could you please suggest me a basic essential but reliable motherboard to go with the AMD CPU:

by the way i cramping all my gear into silver stone sugo sg13B so would the stock cooler fit in there (61mm)

That's good news. Here's the bad news...

http://www.biostar-usa.com/app/en-us/mb/introduction.php?S_ID=878 

Is 1 of 2 options right now... ITX support is still in development.
The other one you can find a video on.

 

 But maybe someone could chime in with "coming soon" boards.
AMD is 100% the right choice. But the Biostars are your only choice for MB right now. Which doesn't help your initial concerns about availability hahahaha but its a no frills non gamer mother board. Which is what you are after

Have you already got the silver stone sugo sg13B? Or was that just your choice for ITX case? because there are very very small matx cases that would open up MB options if you aren't into the biostar

[ZX_SPECTRUM]

10 minutes ago, DUS x SSJ4 x said:

That's good news. Here's the bad news...

http://www.biostar-usa.com/app/en-us/mb/introduction.php?S_ID=878 

Is 1 of 2 options right now... ITX support is still in development.
The other one you can find a video on.

 

 But maybe someone could chime in with "coming soon" boards.
AMD is 100% the right choice. But the Biostars are your only choice for MB right now. Which doesn't help your initial concerns about availability hahahaha but its a no frills non gamer mother board. Which is what you are after

Have you already got the silver stone sugo sg13B? Or was that just your choice for ITX case? because there are very very small matx cases that would open up MB options if you aren't into the biostar

actually the reason why i choose the silver stone sugo sg13B because it seemed to me as the smaller profile i could find to build my SFF so i could put it in a bag and move around with it (yes this is a requirement )