Audio and security control build

[PineyCreek]

Hey folks.

 

I'm planning a parts purchase for a PC that will sit in an auditorium environment that will be used for managing a speaker's powerpoint slides, audio recording (probably piped off a Behringer UM2 or better), and simultaneous video recording/streaming (likely using OBS) with overlays, picture in picture.  This will also drive the browser-based NVR view for the security system on another monitor. Pretty sure this PC is overkill, but I'm trying to make sure all options are open for what they might do.  No gaming will be done on this system, and no visual frills are needed.  No OC likely here either.  Going with wired mouse and keyboard because the users of the system really can't be trusted to remember to turn off the switches when the device isn't in use.  Let me know if you have any other part recommendations.

 

Also, storage is already accounted for.  I have an SSD and an SSHD available for the system.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Type	Item	Price
CPU	AMD - Ryzen 5 2600 3.4 GHz 6-Core Processor	$159.99 @ Amazon
Motherboard	MSI - B450 GAMING PRO CARBON AC ATX AM4 Motherboard	$139.99 @ B&H
Memory	Corsair - Vengeance LPX 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory	$157.30 @ Amazon
Video Card	EVGA - GeForce GTX 1070 8 GB FTW Gaming ACX 3.0 Video Card	$309.99 @ Newegg
Case	be quiet! - SILENT BASE 601 | SILVER ATX Mid Tower Case	$119.99 @ SuperBiiz
Power Supply	SeaSonic - FOCUS Plus Gold 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply	$89.99 @ Amazon
Keyboard	Logitech - MK120 Wired Slim Keyboard w/Optical Mouse	$14.44 @ Newegg
Other	Elgato Game Capture HD60 Pro, stream and record in 1080p60, superior low latency technology, H.264 hardware encoding, PCIe	$159.99 @ Amazon
	Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts
	Total (before mail-in rebates)	$1171.68
	Mail-in rebates	-$20.00
	Total	$1151.68
	Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-11-21 12:59 EST-0500

 

[zombienerd]

For your use case, I'd say a 1050ti would be overkill, so that 1070 is definitely so.  Go with a cheaper GPU, maybe an AMD budget card.  Use that savings to bump up the CPU to something a little more beefy just to give yourself room to grow.

[PineyCreek]

Just now, zombienerd said:

1st, you seem to be missing storage.  You'll need a SSD or HDD to boot.

 

For your use case, I'd say a 1050ti would be overkill, so that 1070 is definitely so.  Go with a cheaper GPU, maybe an AMD budget card.  Use that savings to bump up the CPU to something a little more beefy just to give yourself room to grow.

Thank you for the suggestion.  To be honest, I went overkill because I didn't know if they were going to be doing nvencode type jobs and how much video was going to be involved and didn't know if I would need the extra video memory.  I understand I don't need that much graphical power since no gaming is involved.  Kind of got a bit excited since I can get a 1070 at the same price as the originally planned 1060.

 

So...you think maybe a 1050Ti and then boost the CPU with the money difference?

 

Oh, and I mentioned in the original post that the storage was already accounted for.

[PineyCreek]

Ok, updated:

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Type	Item	Price
CPU	AMD - Ryzen 7 2700X 3.7 GHz 8-Core Processor	$309.89 @ Amazon
Motherboard	MSI - B450 GAMING PRO CARBON AC ATX AM4 Motherboard	$139.99 @ B&H
Memory	Corsair - Vengeance LPX 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory	$157.30 @ Amazon
Video Card	EVGA - GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4 GB FTW GAMING ACX 3.0 Video Card	$209.89 @ OutletPC
Case	be quiet! - SILENT BASE 601 | SILVER ATX Mid Tower Case	$119.99 @ SuperBiiz
Power Supply	SeaSonic - FOCUS Plus Gold 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply	$89.99 @ Amazon
Keyboard	Logitech - MK120 Wired Slim Keyboard w/Optical Mouse	$14.44 @ Newegg
Other	Elgato Game Capture HD60 Pro, stream and record in 1080p60, superior low latency technology, H.264 hardware encoding, PCIe	$159.99 @ Amazon
	Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts
	Total	$1201.48
	Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-11-21 13:22 EST-0500

 

[Taf the Ghost]

@PineyCreek I'd drop down to the MSI Tomahawk (good VRMs, a little cheaper) and consider the 1700. You've got a really nice gaming build going, but you're talking about a production-type build. If you actually need to leverage some cores, having 2 extra could be useful.

 

Probably also want 1-2 more good quality fans in the build, then tune the fan curve pretty far down.

[PineyCreek]

Kind of gun-shy on AMD cards.  Been burned by their drivers years ago.  Have they got any better?

[zombienerd]

Just now, PineyCreek said:

Thank you for the suggestion.  To be honest, I went overkill because I didn't know if they were going to be doing nvencode type jobs and how much video was going to be involved and didn't know if I would need the extra video memory.  I understand I don't need that much graphical power since no gaming is involved.  Kind of got a bit excited since I can get a 1070 at the same price as the originally planned 1060.

 

So...you think maybe a 1050Ti and then boost the CPU with the money difference?

 

Oh, and I mentioned in the original post that the storage was already accounted for.

I caught the Storage thing when I re-read

 

IMO, a 1050ti would be more than enough.  If you're just doing encoding, it should be fine.  People who want to game & stream at the same time do it on a 1070 all the time, so you'd be under-utilizing by a FAR margin.  Just about any Nvidia card from the past with 4gb+ would do, as well.  960, 970 etc.

 

I personally wouldn't worry about nvenc, and I'd probably go with an RX570 4gb.

[PineyCreek]

Just now, Taf the Ghost said:

@PineyCreek I'd drop down to the MSI Tomahawk (good VRMs, a little cheaper) and consider the 1700. You've got a really nice gaming build going, but you're talking about a production-type build. If you actually need to leverage some cores, having 2 extra could be useful.

 

Probably also want 1-2 more good quality fans in the build, then tune the fan curve pretty far down.

Probably sticking with Zen+ to be honest.  Upgraded my build a bit with the second post.  Might be able to get the CPU cheaper than retail.

[zombienerd]

1 minute ago, PineyCreek said:

Kind of gun-shy on AMD cards.  Been burned by their drivers years ago.  Have they got any better?

I've run both Nvidia and AMD in the past year, and had no issues with any of the drivers on either side.  I'm currently doing dual R9 390 8gb's in Crossfire.  It's mint.

[Taf the Ghost]

Just now, PineyCreek said:

Kind of gun-shy on AMD cards.  Been burned by their drivers years ago.  Have they got any better?

Drivers are fine, though if you're looking for hardware accelerated streaming, Nvidia simply has more practical support. 1050 Ti or 1060 probably work best here.

[Taf the Ghost]

Just now, PineyCreek said:

Probably sticking with Zen+ to be honest.  Upgraded my build a bit with the second post.  Might be able to get the CPU cheaper than retail.

Oddly enough, you moved from the 2600 to 2700X while I was typing. The 8 core CPUs make a lot more sense in the event you actually need to leverage cores.

[PineyCreek]

@Taf the Ghost I actually built my friend a system using the B350 Tomahawk.  It was ok.  From what I heard though the MSI really turned things around on the Zen+ boards and supposedly this B450 board is top notch.  The price difference doesn't compel me that much to go to the Tomahawk this time around since I'm not paying for the build.

 

Also, you're definitely right about adding the extra fans.  Forgot I was going to add a couple more Pure Wings 2 fans to the 2 included with the case.

[PineyCreek]

Updated again:

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Type	Item	Price
CPU	AMD - Ryzen 7 2700X 3.7 GHz 8-Core Processor	$309.89 @ Amazon
Motherboard	MSI - B450 GAMING PRO CARBON AC ATX AM4 Motherboard	$139.99 @ B&H
Memory	Corsair - Vengeance LPX 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory	$157.30 @ Amazon
Video Card	EVGA - GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4 GB FTW GAMING ACX 3.0 Video Card	$209.89 @ OutletPC
Case	be quiet! - SILENT BASE 601 | SILVER ATX Mid Tower Case	$119.99 @ SuperBiiz
Power Supply	SeaSonic - FOCUS Plus Gold 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply	$89.99 @ Amazon
Case Fan	be quiet! - Pure Wings 2 140 PWM 61.2 CFM 140mm Fan	$12.99 @ SuperBiiz
Case Fan	be quiet! - Pure Wings 2 140 PWM 61.2 CFM 140mm Fan	$12.99 @ SuperBiiz
Keyboard	Logitech - MK120 Wired Slim Keyboard w/Optical Mouse	$14.44 @ Newegg
Other	Elgato Game Capture HD60 Pro, stream and record in 1080p60, superior low latency technology, H.264 hardware encoding, PCIe	$159.99 @ Amazon
	Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts
	Total	$1227.46
	Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-11-21 13:35 EST-0500

 

[Taf the Ghost]

@PineyCreek Looks good. 2x 140mm fans in the front should do wonders for keeping the air flow moving while also keeping the noise really far down.

[PineyCreek]

2 minutes ago, Taf the Ghost said:

@PineyCreek Looks good, though might want to check fan spacing on the 601. 

Did.  All the slots in the Silent Base 601 can support 120 and 140.  The two included are 140s.

 

Figure two in the front, one in the back, and one either in the PSU shroud or at the top.

[Taf the Ghost]

Just now, PineyCreek said:

Did.  All the slots in the Silent Base 601 can support 120 and 140.  The two included are 140s.

Yup. 

[PineyCreek]

Suddenly it seems most people are out of stock of the motherboard.  Any opinions on the Gigabyte X470 Aorus Gaming motherboard?  Buildzoid seemed to like it, but Gigabyte's one of those 'as long as I don't have to use their customer support' type companies for me...

[PineyCreek]

After everyone + dog went out of stock on the motherboard of choice I was going for, suddenly most retailers posted dates when they expected the boards to be back in stock...along with a price averaging about 30-40% higher than the board was originally.  It was at this point where I said...I know they don't need it...I know they'll likely NEVER need it, and we won't be doing any overclocking...but since the build proposal was based on parts and features vs. actual cost of the parts, I may as well go for feature parity or better.  So, $60 more than what I was looking at, but I just went ahead and bought the X470 version of the board I have in my personal system, the Asrock X470 Taichi (not the Ultimate).  Everyone involved signed off on it, no more thinking about it.

 

...for the record, the most hilarious part of this build is how overkill we're going with it.  This system is going to replace a tiny Core i5 notebook that had an extra monitor connected to it with HDMI that was barely holding down its duties, and now we're going to have a 16 thread workhorse driving three monitors and doing only about 50% more than what we were doing with the laptop.  Then again...I don't know how heavy the streaming setup is going to be, but it's just streaming a camera and audio feed, not on-system gaming.