Architecture Student Computer Build

[CelebrityHotTub]

Hi LinusTechTips community!

 

First off, this is my first post. I've been reading the forum for a couple of months, but just recently signed up in anticipation of this post for suggestions. This is a great forum and I'd like to thank you all for making it a great opportunity for silent observers to learn.

 

I have built computers before, but they were mainly extremely budgeted (around $450-500USD) and I need some help on higher end parts. This build is going to be almost exclusively for high end model rendering/designing (programs like Revit, SolidWorks, 3DS MAX, AutoCAD and Bunkspeed Shot) although I will play a few games from time to time. I've built myself a preliminary list of parts, but am stuck on a case for colour scheming. I'm going with the clichéd (IMO) Red/Black scheme and have budgeted around $2400 (Minus Monitors, but I included them in the list) for the build.

 

Here's a link to the PCPartsList if you want to make some suggestions on that.

 

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor 

CPU Cooler: Be Quiet DARK ROCK 2 57.9 CFM Fluid Dynamic Bearing CPU Cooler 

Motherboard: Asus Maximus VI Hero ATX LGA1150 Motherboard 

Memory: Corsair Dominator Platinum 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory

Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk

Storage: Western Digital WD Green 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive 

Storage: Western Digital WD Green 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive

Video Card: PNY Quadro K4000 2GB 

Power Supply: SeaSonic S12G 550W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply

Monitor: 2xAsus PA248Q 24.1" Monitor

Total: $2062 (Not including monitors)

 

I've convinced myself to go with the Quadro because of all the validation it goes through, but is there a secondary card I could add to it to help it out? I'm also considering stepping up to the P9X79 WS combined with the i74820K so in the future I could upgrade to a 6-Core processor. I don't really want to leave the ASUS or Intel brands also, so that's a constraint.

 

Suggestions or concerns? 

[LogicDeifying]

 

Hi LinusTechTips community!

 

First off, this is my first post. I've been reading the forum for a couple of months, but just recently signed up in anticipation of this post for suggestions. This is a great forum and I'd like to thank you all for making it a great opportunity for silent observers to learn.

 

I have built computers before, but they were mainly extremely budgeted (around $450-500USD) and I need some help on higher end parts. This build is going to be almost exclusively for high end model rendering/designing (programs like Revit, SolidWorks, 3DS MAX, AutoCAD and Bunkspeed Shot) although I will play a few games from time to time. I've built myself a preliminary list of parts, but am stuck on a case for colour scheming. I'm going with the clichéd (IMO) Red/Black scheme and have budgeted around $2400 (Minus Monitors, but I included them in the list) for the build.

 

Here's a link to the PCPartsList if you want to make some suggestions on that.

 

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor 

CPU Cooler: Be Quiet DARK ROCK 2 57.9 CFM Fluid Dynamic Bearing CPU Cooler 

Motherboard: Asus Maximus VI Hero ATX LGA1150 Motherboard 

Memory: Corsair Dominator Platinum 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory

Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk

Storage: Western Digital WD Green 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive 

Storage: Western Digital WD Green 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive

Video Card: PNY Quadro K4000 2GB 

Power Supply: SeaSonic S12G 550W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply

Monitor: 2xAsus PA248Q 24.1" Monitor

Total: $2062 (Not including monitors)

 

I've convinced myself to go with the Quadro because of all the validation it goes through, but is there a secondary card I could add to it to help it out? I'm also considering stepping up to the P9X79 WS combined with the i74820K so in the future I could upgrade to a 6-Core processor. I don't really want to leave the ASUS or Intel brands also, so that's a constraint.

 

Suggestions or concerns? 

 

Budget?Didn't read.

[zxcvbnmmssdh]

Truthfully, stepping down on the GPU and going to 6-core will give you more performance unless you need the graphics power. For rendering and editing, the 6-core is drastically better.

[CelebrityHotTub]

Truthfully, stepping down on the GPU and going to 6-core will give you more performance unless you need the graphics power. For rendering and editing, the 6-core is drastically better.

You think so? I'm totally fine ponying up a couple hundred more dollars for the 6-core and keeping the GPU if you think that would be a better investment in the long-term

[zxcvbnmmssdh]

You think so? I'm totally fine ponying up a couple hundred more dollars for the 6-core and keeping the GPU if you think that would be a better investment in the long-term

That is what I would do, wait to see what some other people say like @WoodenMarker and @Vitalius

[CelebrityHotTub]

That is what I would do, wait to see what some other people say like @WoodenMarker and @Vitalius

 

Cheers

[WoodenMarker]

Are you absolutely limited to Intel/Asus, and a red/black theme? Going AMD with the 8350 would benefit 3d programs since they are normally really well optimized to take advantage of the fx 8 core's architecture. Unless you're going with a hex core i7, I'd suggest getting the 8350 over the i7.

Where exactly is the build going? Will you have access to render farms or are open to creating some render nodes yourself? Is the system going into an office or for working at home?

[brob]

Is the intention to put the 2TB Greens in a RAID 1?

 

BTW the memory is not compatible with the Dark Rock. The parts are far too tall.

[CelebrityHotTub]

Are you absolutely limited to Intel/Asus, and a red/black theme? Going AMD with the 8350 would benefit 3d programs since they are normally really well optimized to take advantage of the fx 8 core's architecture. Unless you're going with a hex core i7, I'd suggest getting the 8350 over the i7.

Where exactly is the build going? Will you have access to render farms or are open to creating some render nodes yourself? Is the system going into an office or for working at home?

 

I think I'm going to go with the P9X79-WS, so in that case the colour scheme will be something along the lines of a blue/white build. It really depends on what motherboard I get. The system will start off at home, but in a couple months it'll go into an office so I'd like it to look somewhat classy (Silverstone, maybe?).

 

I would really prefer to go Intel/Asus, as that's just my personal preference.

[CelebrityHotTub]

Is the intention to put the 2TB Greens in a RAID 1?

 

I think so, either that or not worry about RAID for a couple of months.

[brob]

One option you might consider is an mATX board and case. It will limit the build to 32GB of memory, but unless you plan huge models that should be more than sufficient. The 350D case is also available in a windowed version. 

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU:  Intel Core i7-4930K 3.4GHz 6-Core Processor  ($568.98 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler:  Corsair H80i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  ($94.99 @ J&R)
Motherboard:  Asus Rampage IV Gene Micro ATX LGA2011 Motherboard  ($268.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory:  Mushkin Blackline 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR3-2133 Memory  ($310.98 @ Newegg)
Storage:  Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk  ($162.99 @ Amazon)
Storage:  Western Digital WD Green 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($86.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage:  Western Digital WD Green 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($86.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card:  PNY Quadro 4000 2GB Video Card  ($673.21 @ Amazon)
Case:  Corsair 350D MicroATX Mid Tower Case  ($69.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply:  SeaSonic S12G 550W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply  ($83.45 @ Amazon)
Monitor:  Asus PA248Q 24.1" Monitor  (Purchased For $0.00)
Monitor:  Asus PA248Q 24.1" Monitor  (Purchased For $0.00)
Total: $2407.56
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-31 15:07 EST-0500)

[CelebrityHotTub]

One option you might consider is an mATX board and case. It will limit the build to 32GB of memory, but unless you plan huge models that should be more than sufficient. The 350D case is also available in a windowed version. 

 

 

I think I'm going with the P9X79 WS for sure, just for the ability to add some more graphics cards in the future. Any suggestions for a quiet case for this? I've been looking at the BitFenix Shinoba, but I've heard those aren't really that quiet, so I might just go with the Fractal R4.

[brob]

I think I'm going with the P9X79 WS for sure, just for the ability to add some more graphics cards in the future. Any suggestions for a quiet case for this? I've been looking at the BitFenix Shinoba, but I've heard those aren't really that quiet, so I might just go with the Fractal R4.

 

According to Anandtech, the Obsidan 550D and 750D are quieter than the R4.

[WoodenMarker]

I think I'm going with the P9X79 WS for sure, just for the ability to add some more graphics cards in the future. Any suggestions for a quiet case for this? I've been looking at the BitFenix Shinoba, but I've heard those aren't really that quiet, so I might just go with the Fractal R4.

What would you be adding more graphics cards for? How many more did you have in mind?

[CelebrityHotTub]

According to Anandtech, the Obsidan 550D and 750D are quieter than the R4.

 

It appears so, and all three are quieter than the BitFenix. 

 

What would you be adding more graphics cards for? How many more did you have in mind?

 

I would conceivably add more for better CUDA performance, probably only one or two more, and definitely not right away. But it's nice to know that if I want to expand I definitely have the space to do it. Linus said in his video editing build it's nice to have it just for the validation and the knowledge it's going to work without having to fuss over hacks, and Logan over at TekSyndicate also mentioned he likes the fact that if he wants to upgrade in the next couple of years he just can with this motherboard.

[WoodenMarker]

I would conceivably add more for better CUDA performance, probably only one or two more, and definitely not right away. But it's nice to know that if I want to expand I definitely have the space to do it. Linus said in his video editing build it's nice to have it just for the validation and the knowledge it's going to work without having to fuss over hacks, and Logan over at TekSyndicate also mentioned he likes the fact that if he wants to upgrade in the next couple of years he just can with this motherboard.

What are you doing that uses CUDA? Other than for viewports and rough hardware rendering, most of the grunt should be handled by the cpu. 

[CelebrityHotTub]

What are you doing that uses CUDA? Other than for viewports and rough hardware rendering, most of the grunt should be handled by the cpu. 

 

I was under the impression (maybe the wrong one) that Photoshop, most of the rest of the CS Suite and Autodesk programs use CUDA

[brob]

I was under the impression (maybe the wrong one) that Photoshop, most of the rest of the CS Suite and Autodesk programs use CUDA

 

Stick with the Quadro K4000.

 

Autodesk does not test or support multiple gpu. Adobe CS 6 supports multiple gpu but not in SLI. 

[CelebrityHotTub]

Stick with the Quadro K4000.

 

Autodesk does not test or support multiple gpu. Adobe CS 6 supports multiple gpu but not in SLI. 

 

OK, so how about this?

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

 

CPU:  Intel Core i7-4930K 3.4GHz 6-Core Processor  ($568.98 @ Amazon) 

CPU Cooler:  Be Quiet DARK ROCK 2 57.9 CFM Fluid Dynamic Bearing CPU Cooler  ($74.99 @ NCIX US) 

Motherboard:  Asus P9X79 WS SSI CEB LGA2011 Motherboard  ($358.42 @ NCIX US) 

Memory:  Corsair Vengeance LP 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($316.24 @ NCIX US) 

Storage:  Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk  ($160.99 @ Amazon) 

Storage:  Western Digital WD Green 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($86.99 @ NCIX US) 

Storage:  Western Digital WD Green 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($86.99 @ NCIX US) 

Video Card:  PNY Quadro 4000 2GB Video Card  ($673.21 @ Amazon) 

Case:  BitFenix Shinobi Window (White) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($74.76 @ NCIX US) 

Power Supply:  SeaSonic S12G 550W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply  ($83.45 @ Amazon) 

Monitor:  Asus PA248Q 24.1" Monitor  ($307.58 @ Newegg) 

Monitor:  Asus PA248Q 24.1" Monitor  ($307.58 @ Newegg) 

Total: $3100.18

(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-31 23:33 EST-0500)

 

EDIT: The monitors should have been marked as purchased

[WoodenMarker]

I was under the impression (maybe the wrong one) that Photoshop, most of the rest of the CS Suite and Autodesk programs use CUDA

The entire CS/CC suite is moving towards OpenCL with Adobe being one of the leading names among content creation programs that are doing so in favor of it over CUDA.

As for CC, pretty much all of the suite has access to OpenCL acceleration and it will continue to prioritize it over CUDA due to it being open source. I'm not sure if they are phasing out CUDA eventually but they might. 

[brob]

 

 

OK, so how about this?

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

 

CPU:  Intel Core i7-4930K 3.4GHz 6-Core Processor  ($568.98 @ Amazon) 

CPU Cooler:  Be Quiet DARK ROCK 2 57.9 CFM Fluid Dynamic Bearing CPU Cooler  ($74.99 @ NCIX US) 

Motherboard:  Asus P9X79 WS SSI CEB LGA2011 Motherboard  ($358.42 @ NCIX US) 

Memory:  Corsair Vengeance LP 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($316.24 @ NCIX US) 

Storage:  Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk  ($160.99 @ Amazon) 

Storage:  Western Digital WD Green 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($86.99 @ NCIX US) 

Storage:  Western Digital WD Green 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($86.99 @ NCIX US) 

Video Card:  PNY Quadro 4000 2GB Video Card  ($673.21 @ Amazon) 

Case:  BitFenix Shinobi Window (White) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($74.76 @ NCIX US) 

Power Supply:  SeaSonic S12G 550W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply  ($83.45 @ Amazon) 

Monitor:  Asus PA248Q 24.1" Monitor  ($307.58 @ Newegg) 

Monitor:  Asus PA248Q 24.1" Monitor  ($307.58 @ Newegg) 

Total: $3100.18

(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-31 23:33 EST-0500)

 

EDIT: The monitors should have been marked as purchased

 

 

I would use an H80i cpu cooler or something similar, especially if there was any intent to overclock the cpu. Otherwise it looks good.

[CelebrityHotTub]

I would use an H80i cpu cooler or something similar, especially if there was any intent to overclock the cpu. Otherwise it looks good.

 

Awesome, thanks a lot guys. I'll try and keep a build log for this and post it, even if this build seems quite trivial.

[brob]

Awesome, thanks a lot guys. I'll try and keep a build log for this and post it, even if this build seems quite trivial.

 

Looking forward to the pics and comments.