Build Server/WS machine

[Argy]

Hello, I am trying to build a machine for my university research project (and for future projects). Right now the needs are mostly storage and not that much the processing power but I need a solid and stable base for future upgrades too. Here are my 2 "ideas":
 

Intel Build

AMD Build

 

My concerns in any case are:
1) The options for future upgrades mostly on CPU
2) I am reading that there are some issues with the Threadripper and the RAM speeds. Is the AMD build ok with that ram or should I look for something else?

In both cases, the PSU will be 80 Plus Platinum at 850W or 1000W ( I haven't decided yet so I am open to suggestions) and for storage due to the need for the project there will be 2x6TB WD Purple.

[joshuawi99]

3 minutes ago, Argy said:

Hello, I am trying to build a machine for my university research project (and for future projects). Right now the needs are mostly storage and not that much the processing power but I need a solid and stable base for future upgrades too. Here are my 2 "ideas":
 

Intel Build

AMD Build

 

My concerns in any case are:
1) The options for future upgrades mostly on CPU
2) I am reading that there are some issues with the Threadripper and the RAM speeds. Is the AMD build ok with that ram or should I look for something else?

In both cases, the PSU will be 80 Plus Platinum at 850W or 1000W ( I haven't decided yet so I am open to suggestions) and for storage due to the need for the project there will be 2x6TB WD Purple.

With the Intel build go for ECC ram. The 1900x is pretty much useless cause you are only getting more lanes that you do not need... And your PSU is overkill AF

[Argy]

6 minutes ago, joshuawi99 said:

With the Intel build go for ECC ram. The 1900x is pretty much useless cause you are only getting more lanes that you do not need... And your PSU is overkill AF

Well, the plan is in few months to add some GPU with many Cuda cores on that system and that's why I was thinking about that PSU. Also any suggestions for the RAM?

[joshuawi99]

3 minutes ago, Argy said:

Well, the plan is in few months to add some GPU with many Cuda cores on that system and that's why I was thinking about that PSU

Still you wont need that large of a PSU. Wait for Zen2 and get the 2700x with a decent x370 plus a GTX 2080 and a 650W max good quality PSU from Bequiet or Corsair and call it a day. No need for much PCIe lanes or expensive mainboards... Or a GTX 1080ti, thats plenmty for ur workflow.

[joshuawi99]

5 minutes ago, Argy said:

Well, the plan is in few months to add some GPU with many Cuda cores on that system and that's why I was thinking about that PSU. Also any suggestions for the RAM?

For ram if you go ryzen get the Flare X 3200 Mhz. I got mine up to 3466 at CL14

[Argy]

4 minutes ago, joshuawi99 said:

For ram if you go ryzen get the Flare X 3200 Mhz. I got mine up to 3466 at CL14

What about the Intel build?

And generally in the future, there will be the need to add as many GPU as possible. So I guess in that case I would go for the Threarripper?

[joshuawi99]

1 minute ago, Argy said:

What about the Intel build?

Just get any ram starting at 2800 with decent timings from like Gskill.... Intel does have way less Problems with RAM than AMD has. For AMD always go with B-Die Samsung Chips with tight timings and avoid Hynix

[DocSwag]

Is WS hardware something you really need? Also, what apps will you be using? Depending on what they are, intel or amd may be better.

18 minutes ago, Argy said:

In both cases, the PSU will be 80 Plus Platinum at 850W or 1000W ( I haven't decided yet so I am open to suggestions)

What specific psu? Some Plat psus are very good whereas others quite frankly aren't.

[Argy]

1 minute ago, DocSwag said:

Is WS hardware something you really need? Also, what apps will you be using? Depending on what they are, intel or amd may be better.

What specific psu? Some Plat psus are very good whereas others quite frankly aren't.

For PSU I was thinking one of these:

Corsair HX850i
be quiet! BN253
 

Or this one
Corsair HX Series HX1000

[Argy]

Also, in both systems, should I use water cooling or air cooling?

[DocSwag]

2 hours ago, Argy said:

For PSU I was thinking one of these:

Corsair HX850i
be quiet! BN253
 

Or this one
Corsair HX Series HX1000

I would probably go for the HX850i

2 hours ago, Argy said:

Also, in both systems, should I use water cooling or air cooling?

Really up to you. If you don't care as much about aesthetics though I would probably go air cooling.

[Argy]

So to sum up. In case of AMD build I should be able to use RAM with 3200Mhz if it is with B-Die (and if not mistaken it should also support XMP in order to make it work at 3200?) 
And in case of Intel build I should use ECC RAM. About that, is there anything you could suggest? Does it matter if I get a kit ECC or I could get 4 sticks x4GB ECC?

Thanks in advance.