Karl Larsen Posted September 3, 2011 Share Posted September 3, 2011 (edited) I didn't see that stuck post up top until after I posted this, but its here so I'm going with it, and I am NO expert so expert's advise is welcome and highly appreciated. From what I have been able to figure out from reading ad nauseam about processors and graphic cards, and sticking to a hard budget of $2800 US, this is what I have come up with for my next machine. Please keep in mind that I am currently running a 6-yr old dual-xeon 2.8GHz (Intel Xeon 2.8 Prestonia 2.8GHz Socket 604 Processor BX80532KE2800D) with 2GB of memory on an Intel SE7505VB2 SSI EEB (I just now realized this was an EEB and not an ATX) 3.0 Server Motherboard Dual 603/604 Intel E7505 and an ATI Radeon 9550 w/ 256mb mem., so it’s time for a new machine! I work in AutoCAD 2011, Revit 2011 (only when I have to), 3DS Max Design 2009, and Solidworks 2008, so it should be no surprise that my render times are kinda slow, but this computer has been rock solid and I am not rendering cityscapes in 3DS or insane assemblies in Solidworks. Obviously I need a system that can do both and be stable, and I do not expect 30-second renders of shopping mall interiors… So, with that, if anyone has any suggestions or comments, I am all ears. Thanks in advance. CPU(s): 2, INTEL, E5620 Xeon 2.4GHz 80W Quad Core BX80614E5620, ($389.99ea) $779.98 MOTHERBOARD: ASUS Z8NA-D6C Dual LGA 1366 Intel 5500 ATX Dual Intel Xeon 5500 and 5600 Series Server/Workstation Motherboard $259.99 POWER SUPPLY: ANTEC High Current Pro HCP-1200 1200W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply $254.99 MEMORY: CRUCIAL 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) ECC Unbuffered Server Memory Model CT51272BA1339, ($42.99 ea) x4 = $171.96 SOLID STATE DRIVE: INTEL 320 Series SSDSA2CW120G3K5 2.5" 120GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) $224.99 GRAPHIC CARD: ATI 100-505604 FirePro V7800 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 CrossFire Supported Workstation Video Card $629.99 CASE: COOLER MASTER HAF 932 Advanced RC-932-KKN5-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Compucase Case with USB 3.0 $159.99 OS: MICROSOFT Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit – OEM $139.99 FLAT PANEL: ASUS VH242H Black 23.6" 5ms HDMI Full 1080P Widescreen LCD Monitor $179.99 TOTAL, $2,801.87 Edited September 3, 2011 by karlar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ihabkal Posted September 3, 2011 Share Posted September 3, 2011 I don't know if you can get a smaller power supply, i fthe same components run at half the power supply you would be causing so much less damage to the environment. plus you would be saving money on electricity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karl Larsen Posted September 3, 2011 Author Share Posted September 3, 2011 I'd rather have it and not need it than to need it and not have it... and I have 3 SATA drives in my current computer that will need to go into the new one (redundant data storage - I copy everything every so often and then un plug one drive and leave it sitting there, safe, I hope), plus I still need to add a DVD drive and who knows what else... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ihabkal Posted September 3, 2011 Share Posted September 3, 2011 if you like paying $400+ per year in electricity for the difference between 600 and 1200W that is your choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJLynn Posted September 4, 2011 Share Posted September 4, 2011 Okay, let's see here. First, power supply. The 1200w refers to the most it can draw, not the amount it always draws. It's not a bad thing to have more power supply than needed. But still, 1200 is a lot, I don't see it being necessary. Memory: a dual 5600 series Xeon has six memory channels (three per CPU) so you need a matched set of six dimms. Storage: don't use just the SSD. Add one or more regular hard drives for storing large files. CPUs: I don't see a good reason to go with this particular configuration. The dual-quad 2.4ghz Xeons will not provide more power than a single i7-970 six-core 3.2ghz, and the i7 will be cheaper and better at single threaded operations. you need a matched set of three dims with that, so I'd look at a 3x4gb configuration. If you lose $100 from then power supply budget, and save $300-400 by using an i7, put some of that back into a better monitor and a monitor calibrator. See the Displays section at the bottom of the page on 3datstech.com. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Erstad Posted September 4, 2011 Share Posted September 4, 2011 Hi all, Hope I can jump in here, not trying to hijack. I took a look at your 3Datstech site. I am in need of a home based render box of some sort. I've got a series of many stills needing to be completed in a short time frame, and although I love my (no so) little HP Envy laptop, this will not suffice on its own. Not decided yet if I would use MR or VRay, but leaning toward the latter. Do you think your specs for your render box still stand? Or how would you update today? Any thoughts on how one of the comparably priced Box render setups might perform against this one? Many thanks Andy, you've helped me in the past btw, and I do appreciate it. Cheers, Scott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karl Larsen Posted September 4, 2011 Author Share Posted September 4, 2011 Thanks for your advise AJ - was unsure about the Xeon vs. i7-970 so I will do some more homework and see what I come up with. Okay, let's see here. First, power supply. The 1200w refers to the most it can draw, not the amount it always draws. It's not a bad thing to have more power supply than needed. But still, 1200 is a lot, I don't see it being necessary. Memory: a dual 5600 series Xeon has six memory channels (three per CPU) so you need a matched set of six dimms. Storage: don't use just the SSD. Add one or more regular hard drives for storing large files. CPUs: I don't see a good reason to go with this particular configuration. The dual-quad 2.4ghz Xeons will not provide more power than a single i7-970 six-core 3.2ghz, and the i7 will be cheaper and better at single threaded operations. you need a matched set of three dims with that, so I'd look at a 3x4gb configuration. If you lose $100 from then power supply budget, and save $300-400 by using an i7, put some of that back into a better monitor and a monitor calibrator. See the Displays section at the bottom of the page on 3datstech.com. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karl Larsen Posted September 4, 2011 Author Share Posted September 4, 2011 (edited) OK this is what I've come up with for an i7 build: CPU Intel Core i7-970 Gulftown 3.2GHz LGA 1366 130W Six-Core Desktop Processor BX80613I7970 $569.99 MOTHERBOARD Intel BOXDX58SO2 LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX $269.99 POWER SUPPLY Antec TruePower New TP-550 550W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.3 / EPS12V V2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE $89.99 MEMORY CORSAIR Vengeance 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMZ4GX3M1A1600C9 $28.99 X 6 (24GB) = $173.94 SOLID STATE DRIVE INTEL 320 Series SSDSA2CW120G3K5 2.5" 120GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) $224.99 GRAPHIC CARD ATI 100-505604 FirePro V7800 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 CrossFire Supported Workstation Video Card $629.99 CASE COOLER MASTER HAF 932 Advanced RC-932-KKN5-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Compucase Case with USB 3.0 $149.99 OS MICROSOFT Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit – OEM $139.99 FLAT PANEL HP ZR24w Black 24" 7ms Widescreen LCD Monitor $379.99 DVD BURN ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner $20.99 TOTAL, $2,724.85 Any thoughts much appreciated! Edited September 4, 2011 by karlar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJLynn Posted September 4, 2011 Share Posted September 4, 2011 Scotty: Yes, if you have that much to spend on a render node, I still think that's the right way to spend it. Karl: This is looking better. If I were to recommend any changes, I might go with the Asus Sabertooth X58 board instead of the Intel, but that's a minor change. As for the power supply, I like Antec, they have a good warranty, but you might go a bit higher on the spec. The Antec EA-750 has twice the 12V amps, which is good for future expandability if you need it, for not much more money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Erstad Posted September 4, 2011 Share Posted September 4, 2011 Scotty: Yes, if you have that much to spend on a render node, I still think that's the right way to spend it. I wouldn't necessarily say it like that, but I am thinking I will be in need due to time and it comes down to either do the work faster, or pass on the work alltogether. Question - In lieu of this "Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM", I have a copy of W7 Home sitting here as a coaster. Would that work just as well? Or am I missing something here. The one listed above is out of stock anyway. Thoughts? Scott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karl Larsen Posted September 4, 2011 Author Share Posted September 4, 2011 (edited) Thank you AJ -- I like the larger Power supply for sure (I had an under powered supply once and it was disturbing to finally figure it out), and I had 1 ASUS board many years ago (I think I still have the box and maybe the computer itself in storage) and it was rock solid. Here it is with your recommendations; can’t wait to get my hands on it. i7-970 6-core 24GB mem AutoCAD/Solidworks and a lil-bit-o 3DS MAX, system CPU Intel Core i7-970 Gulftown 3.2GHz LGA 1366 130W Six-Core Desktop Processor BX80613I7970 $569.99 MOTHERBOARD ASUS Sabertooth X58 LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard$189.99 POWER SUPPLY High Current Pro HCP-750 750W TX12V v2.3 / EPS12V v2.92 SLI Certified CrossFire Certified 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular $179.99 MEMORY CORSAIR Vengeance 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMZ4GX3M1A1600C9 $28.99 X 6 (24GB) = $173.94 SOLID STATE DRIVE INTEL 320 Series SSDSA2CW120G3K5 2.5" 120GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) $299.99 GRAPHIC CARD ATI 100-505604 FirePro V7800 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 CrossFire Supported Workstation Video Card $629.99 CASE COOLER MASTER HAF 932 Advanced RC-932-KKN5-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Compucase Case with USB 3.0 $149.99 OS MICROSOFT Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit – OEM $139.99 FLAT PANEL HP ZR24w Black 24" 7ms Widescreen LCD Monitor $379.99 DVD BURN ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner $20.99 TOTAL, $2,734.85 Thank you! Edited September 4, 2011 by karlar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJLynn Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 Yes, that certainly works. I was actually thinking of this power supply, but the one you've got there is better (though more expensive). Do make sure to get something like this to calibrate the monitor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karl Larsen Posted September 5, 2011 Author Share Posted September 5, 2011 I saw that Power supply but I really wanted modular because I detest having all the extra wire bundled up in a case doing nothing, and I will get the X-Rite I1 and am looking forward to having a clue what a properly calibrated monitor can do :-) Thanks for all your help. Yes, that certainly works. I was actually thinking of this power supply, but the one you've got there is better (though more expensive). Do make sure to get something like this to calibrate the monitor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slinger Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 Karl, here is my recommendation for a PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139010 And yes, I currently own one. My set up: eVGA Tri-SLI E758 X58 mobo i7-950 OC'd to 4ghz Corsair H50 CPU cooler 12gigs GSKill Pis 1600mhz eVGA GTX580 (3) Western Digital Black Caviar HDDs DVD burner Corsair HX750 Win7Pro 64bit Antec1200 Case (2) LG 22" monitors. Too many damn high cfm fans to count(the computer sounds like a freight train) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karl Larsen Posted September 6, 2011 Author Share Posted September 6, 2011 The good thing about monitors is my existing Sony SDM S204 only has one stuck pixel, way down lower left, after 6-yrs of 12+ hours every day use, so it will make a great second monitor. It was expensive new, but in hindsight, worth every penny. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karl Larsen Posted September 7, 2011 Author Share Posted September 7, 2011 AJ, I'm curious, if you were going to build a dual Quad-core Xeon workstation, which processor and motherboard would you lean toward? I would like to read up a little bit more before plunging down my cash. Thanks for your help, Yes, that certainly works. I was actually thinking of this power supply, but the one you've got there is better (though more expensive). Do make sure to get something like this to calibrate the monitor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJLynn Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 Karl, that's an easy question. I would not build a dual-quad workstation. Consider that you'd need two 2.4GHz quad CPUs to equal the total CPU power of one i7-970 (and that's just for rendering - for tasks that use six or fewer threads, the i7 is 33% faster). Such a system would cost more than the i7 system, and it only gets worse when you look at how the prices trend upward past 2.4GHz. To make dual Xeons economical, you'd need to use 6-core CPUs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karl Larsen Posted September 8, 2011 Author Share Posted September 8, 2011 (edited) WOW! Intel is REALLY PROUD of their 6-core Xeon procesors! Way beyond my budget but I am sure they would be fun to see workin'. Next question: Is there any downside to using Win 7 Ultimate in my i7-970 system? Karl, that's an easy question. I would not build a dual-quad workstation. Consider that you'd need two 2.4GHz quad CPUs to equal the total CPU power of one i7-970 (and that's just for rendering - for tasks that use six or fewer threads, the i7 is 33% faster). Such a system would cost more than the i7 system, and it only gets worse when you look at how the prices trend upward past 2.4GHz. To make dual Xeons economical, you'd need to use 6-core CPUs. Edited September 8, 2011 by karlar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJLynn Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 No. Make sure it's the 64-bit. Be aware that if you don't use any of the Ultimate features (you can look them up) it's not better than Professional. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karl Larsen Posted September 10, 2011 Author Share Posted September 10, 2011 Now Newegg says the i7-970 6-core is discontinued... Now what? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJLynn Posted September 10, 2011 Share Posted September 10, 2011 Buy it from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003UATLOS/?tag=andylynnnet-20 If you look on the right side of that screen, Amazon.com is one buying option and it's $560, which is the best value you'll find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karl Larsen Posted September 11, 2011 Author Share Posted September 11, 2011 (edited) What about this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116402 its $30 more than the i7-970 was... The thing is, I have to wait another week for the funds, so this is stressing me. Edited September 11, 2011 by karlar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJLynn Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 Good catch, I hadn't seen that they'd done that. Looks like they just made a non-Extreme-Edition version of the 980 at a lower price point. Now, one last thing - instead of Newegg, use this link to get the parts. (Multiplying the memory by 3.) It comes out a bit more than $100 cheaper for you, and I get a sizable commission, so it's a win-win Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karl Larsen Posted September 11, 2011 Author Share Posted September 11, 2011 I hate to say that I cancelled my Amazon account when they were selling some book that advocated sex with children by some mental case author (under the farce of a free press claim), plus you are dealing with 15-different 'stores' when you buy this much stuff from Amazon, and at least with Newegg it’s all coming from one company, and one invoice, and they've always been pretty good to me in the past swapping a motherboard once. But I do have to acknowledge your tremendous help and sorry I can’t get you a commission from Newegg! But maybe someday when you need a surgical implant designed, I can help you out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJLynn Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 That's understandable. I wasn't happy to read that story either. If you instead go to 3datstech.com and click any of the Newegg parts lists, then make your order, a commission will go to 3DATS, which is a CGarchitect partner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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