$3,000 Workstation: CS6, Autodesk, Augmented Reality, and Big Data Processing

[Sonotony]

I'm revising a previous request for advice based on a some research. I appreciate any thought on my build. I know that some components may be overkill (like power supply), but I want to leave room for upgrading in the near future.

This is for work where I will be creating videos using Efter Effect/Premiere Pro mostly. I also use Autodesk Inventor that completely locks up my 8G Ram Q9300 if anything else is running at the same time. I also use/create automated (bot) software applications running multiple threads in the background while also running statistical software like minitab.

I have just started working with developing Augmented/Virtual Reality applications with devices like Occulus Rift, Epson BT-100 and Google Glass, so a powerful GPU with minimal lag is pretty important.

I plan to OC the rig as fast as I can.
I'm starting with 32GB RAM and will upgrade as soon as I need to.

I am using my SSD as an OS/scratch disk (Adobe people say there is no benefit to a separate scratch disk drive)

I want to set my HD's in a RAID 10 setup (2 Raid 0 with 2 Backups)

I chose the Sapphire over other GPU's because I saw it's tremensously superior performance processing things like Monte Carlo Simulations, which is part of the work I do.

I'm using Windows 8.1 mainly because I want to make sure software I develop is compatable with the latest Windows version. I will also be running various virtual PC's (Win XP, 7, 8, and Mac OS), for software testing and use of software I can't use with Win 8.1)

I don't really see a need for a great DVD/BD drive as most of my work is uploaded to a server. I'll probably pick up a cheap used one on Ebay for $10.

What items do you think are totally off base (extreme overkill) or inappropriate?

What am I missing?

THANKS!

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4930K 3.4GHz 6-Core Processor ($564.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($99.99 @ TigerDirect)
Motherboard: Asus Rampage IV Black Edition EATX LGA2011 Motherboard ($475.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($259.95 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($203.29 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($109.40 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($109.40 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($109.40 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($109.40 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 6GB Video Card ($686.00)
Case: Corsair 750D ATX Full Tower Case ($129.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: Corsair Professional 1050W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($225.99 @ Best Buy)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $3173.76
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-03 10:22 EDT-0400)

 

[Drew010]

I would definitely NOT go with a 7970. That card is outdated, and prices way too expensive for its performance. In all honesty I would go for a cheaper MOBO (any basic X79 will do, try the ASUS X79 deluxe) and spend the extra money to get a TITAN BLACK as it will be unbelievably more powerful and have the double precision computing power useful for your applications. Otherwise that all looks very solid. The only thing I would change is just personal preference, I would say try and fine a G.Skill kit of RAM because they are generally slightly cheaper and regarded as better than Crucial.

EDIT: the TITAN BLACKs have 6GB of VRAM as well.

 

[Gate9er]

Why don't you go for an Nvidia quadro? Also you may consider going for higher frequency RAM modules.

 

[maurelie]

Hi,
-You can switch the motherboard with the Asus X79 Deluxe, it is almost $150 cheaper and has almost all the features of the Rampage one
-Also you can switch the Samsung PRO to EVO, it is cheaper and the performance is almost the same.
-Also nice case: http/pcpartpicker.com/part/fractal-design-case-fdcaarcxlblw
-This PSU will also be more than enough for your system :http/pcpartpicker.com/part/xfx-power-supply-p1850bbefx

 

[g-unit1111]

I would definitely NOT go with a 7970. That card is outdated, and prices way too expensive for its performance. In all honesty I would go for a cheaper MOBO (any basic X79 will do, try the ASUS X79 deluxe) and spend the extra money to get a TITAN BLACK as it will be unbelievably more powerful and have the double precision computing power useful for your applications. Otherwise that all looks very solid. The only thing I would change is just personal preference, I would say try and fine a G.Skill kit of RAM because they are generally slightly cheaper and regarded as better than Crucial.

EDIT: the TITAN BLACKs have 6GB of VRAM as well.

Yeah I agree there, but I am not sure a Titan Black is really needed for AutoCAD purposes. I'd go with a Quaddro K4000 instead. The reason the 7970s are in such demand is because the prices are being driven up because the cards are a favorite with coin miners. Although I'm also wondering if 12TB is really needed as well.

I would do something like this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4930K 3.4GHz 6-Core Processor ($564.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Thermaltake Water 3.0 Extreme 99.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock X79 Extreme9 ATX LGA2011 Motherboard ($339.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($319.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ Vertex 460 240GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($171.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital BLACK SERIES 4TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($249.99 @ Adorama)
Video Card: PNY Quadro 4000 2GB Video Card ($715.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Titanium Grey) ATX Mid Tower Case ($94.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 750W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($115.22 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro (OEM) (64-bit) ($129.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $2828.09
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-03 13:14 EDT-0400)

- You can add as many hard drives as needed
- Better liquid cooler
- Less expensive motherboard
- Less expensive SSD
- You don't need 1050W for a single GPU
- Use this for GPU: http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133485

 

[Sonotony]

Ok everyone,

I'm down with switching to a Quadro or Titan Black. Probably the latter. VR stuff is graphics intensive and sometimes I extend to multiple monitors. Plus, I just got an Xbox one for my kids and discovered how much I like games... Maybe I'll want to play on my computer at work sometimes too.

I don't think 12 TB is overkill. 2 drives are backup, so it's really only 6TB. I already have 2TB of working files, leaving me with only 4. Most of the big data sets I work with are much too large for a workstation, but I can work with sample files in the 1TB range if I have to.

I like that new case that was recommended, but have heard that it can be a good thing to running a huge PSU at 50% as opposed to a smaller one at 90%

Any recommendations on RAM frequency?

 

[g-unit1111]

I'm down with switching to a Quadro or Titan Black. Probably the latter. VR stuff is graphics intensive and sometimes I extend to multiple monitors. Plus, I just got an Xbox one for my kids and discovered how much I like games... Maybe I'll want to play on my computer at work sometimes too.

The Titan Black is more of a consumer card used for most consumer purposes (games, VM, etc). And the Quaddro is more of a commercial industrial card - which is used for rendering, Photoshop, developing, etc.

I like that new case that was recommended, but have heard that it can be a good thing to running a huge PSU at 50% as opposed to a smaller one at 90%

For a single GPU you don't need a 1050W PSU, 750W is what you should be looking at. 1050W is mega overkill.

 

[Drew010]

I'm down with switching to a Quadro or Titan Black. Probably the latter. VR stuff is graphics intensive and sometimes I extend to multiple monitors. Plus, I just got an Xbox one for my kids and discovered how much I like games... Maybe I'll want to play on my computer at work sometimes too.

The Titan Black is more of a consumer card used for most consumer purposes (games, VM, etc). And the Quaddro is more of a commercial industrial card - which is used for rendering, Photoshop, developing, etc.

I like that new case that was recommended, but have heard that it can be a good thing to running a huge PSU at 50% as opposed to a smaller one at 90%

For a single GPU you don't need a 1050W PSU, 750W is what you should be looking at. 1050W is mega overkill.

He also said that he planned on upgrading in the future- maybe it would be a good idea to get a PSU that may be overkill now, but better than buying a whole new one if he were to SLI

 

[g-unit1111]

He also said that he planned on upgrading in the future- maybe it would be a good idea to get a PSU that may be overkill now, but better than buying a whole new one if he were to SLI

Depending on the card being used a 2 card SLI setup still won't draw more than 900W. So after putting a hypothetical build in PC Part Picker (whose wattage calculator I find to be more accurate than anything else on the internet) it would estimate the system draw at 698W which is pretty good for a dual card setup with cards of that caliber. A solid 850W like an NZXT Hale 90 or a Seasonic X850 Gold will handle that setup without any problems. The trend is that everything in PCs is going more energy efficient than not so unless you're planning some monster 4-card SLI configuration or a crazy custom liquid cooling and lighting setup, you don't need more than 1050W in about 90% of circumstances.