[SOLVED] Advice on first home built computer spec

[Crunch777]

Hi Everyone,

I have decided to build a computer myself for the first time. The computer will only be used for my work, which entails creating a lot of virtual machines (around 20+) running windows 10 running at the same time - the activity on them isn't very strenuous however. I intend to remote into it from the computer I have at the moment so it really will be used purely for this purpose, everything else will be done on this computer I currently have.

From my understanding the most important things for this is the CPU and the RAM, with a cheap GPU. I have been researching things today and have decided to go with a thread ripper processor, probably the 1950x, and the Asus PRIME x399-A EATX TR4 motherboard. I am having a little trouble deciding on the RAM, I want to buy 4x16 GB at the moment, with the intention of upgrading another 64GB when necessary. I was reading about it today and it just confuses me a little bit and also read some things about the processor I chose being a bit funny with RAM, so thought I would ask on a forum for advice if there's any in particular that would be best suited for what I am building this computer for.

Thanks

 

[Quanticriver]

You are correct:

For vms i would go amd over intel in this scenario, as they have excellent multicore performance for the money
Also good call on the amount of ram, you will definately use it considering you want to run 20+ vms
you can put more ram in later if needed, the mobo has 8 ramslots

no idea on the ram issues, havent heard of any, maybe someone who owns that cpu can tell you

gpu is almost a non factor in this scenario, id get something basic e.g. gtx1030

 

[NightHawkRMX]

For ram, you would want at least 3000MHz. Other than that, I'd suggest not to fill more than 4 slots initially since Ryzen Threadripper is limited to 4 channel ram.
This may be interesting. https://www.cgdirector.com/single-dual-quad-channel-memory-threadripper/

What is your budget? You are right Ryzen TR is prob the best option for VMS.

 

[NightHawkRMX]

Heres an example of a setup:
PCPartPicker Part List

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
CPU | AMD - Threadripper 1950X 3.4 GHz 16-Core Processor | $499.99 @ Newegg
CPU Cooler | Deepcool - Fryzen 64 CFM CPU Cooler | $69.99 @ Amazon
Motherboard | Asus - PRIME X399-A EATX TR4 Motherboard | $295.99 @ SuperBiiz
Memory | G.Skill - Ripjaws V 64 GB (4 x 16 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory | $269.99 @ Newegg
Storage | Intel - 660p Series 1 TB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive | $104.89 @ OutletPC
Storage | Hitachi - Ultrastar 7K3000 3 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive | $46.35 @ Amazon
Video Card | Zotac - GeForce GT 1030 2 GB Video Card | $84.99 @ Amazon
Case | Fractal Design - Define XL R2 (Black Pearl) ATX Full Tower Case | $138.68 @ Newegg
Power Supply | Antec - Earthwatts Gold Pro 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-modular ATX Power Supply | $69.99 @ Newegg Business
| Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts |
| Total | $1580.86
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-06-01 20:22 EDT-0400 |

 

[Crunch777]

Thanks for the replies, seems I am on the right track. I have an ok budget, this is what I had picked out myself.

https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/user/Slayland/saved/qt8Qqs

Not sure if its the best I could buy for the money for what I want to do as I am not the best with computer hardware but I have been trying to research as best I can, ill lower the cost of the GPU for sure. Also wasn't sure if its worth buying the newer version thread ripper. Since its for my job and important I don't mind spending the money

I think I should be able to get away with 64gb of memory for a while. If I allocate 2-3GB of memory per VM that should be ok certainly for the foreseeable future. I'll have a read up of that article later this evening for sure, thanks

 

[NightHawkRMX]

That list is private. Can you share a list as forum markup like above?

 

[Crunch777]

Sorry here it is

PCPartPicker Part List

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
CPU | AMD Threadripper 1950X 3.4 GHz 16-Core Processor | £434.13 @ Amazon UK
CPU Cooler | NZXT Kraken X62 Rev 2 98.17 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler | £130.00 @ AWD-IT
Motherboard | Asus PRIME X399-A EATX TR4 Motherboard | £289.99 @ Amazon UK
Memory | G.Skill Ripjaws V 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory | £239.73 @ Amazon UK
Memory | G.Skill Ripjaws V 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory | £239.73 @ Amazon UK
Storage | Samsung 860 Evo 500 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive | £70.99 @ Amazon UK
Storage | Samsung 860 Evo 500 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive | £70.99 @ Amazon UK
Storage | Samsung 860 Evo 1 TB 2.5" Solid State Drive | £121.65 @ Amazon UK
Storage | Western Digital Caviar Blue 1 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive | £37.98 @ Aria PC
Video Card | Zotac GeForce GTX 1050 2 GB Mini Video Card | £120.46 @ Amazon UK
Case | Lian-Li PC-O11 Dynamic ATX Full Tower Case | £114.70 @ Box Limited
Power Supply | EVGA SuperNOVA G3 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply | £85.47 @ Scan.co.uk
Wireless Network Adapter | TP-Link Archer T9E PCIe x1 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi Adapter | £55.49 @ Amazon UK
| Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts |
| Total | £2011.31
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-08-13 17:34 BST+0100 |

 

[Crunch777]

Just wanted to bump this thread to try get any advice on the build above, looking to start ordering parts soon. Anywhere that is over kill / anywhere that could be improved for the purpose in my original post. Thanks

 

[NightHawkRMX]

Looks alright..

 

[g-unit1111]

This is the build that I posted in the System Builder's contest - it uses the 2950X as opposed to the 1950X:

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Threadripper 2950X 3.5 GHz 16-Core Processor (£717.38 @ Newegg UK)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Wraith Ripper 76.4 CFM CPU Cooler (£105.46 @ Scan.co.uk)
Motherboard: Gigabyte X399 AORUS PRO ATX TR4 Motherboard (£220.97 @ Amazon UK)
Memory: Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB 32 GB (4 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory (£261.97 @ Scan.co.uk)
Storage: Intel 660p Series 1.02 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive (£97.97 @ CCL Computers)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (£85.33 @ Amazon UK)
Video Card: XFX Radeon RX 5700 XT 8 GB Video Card (£373.99 @ Amazon UK)
Case: NZXT H500i ATX Mid Tower Case (£96.98 @ AWD-IT)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA G3 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply (£85.47 @ Scan.co.uk)
Total: £2045.52
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-08-13 18:58 BST+0100