Computer for Analyzing RNA-seq data

[jsei]

Hello, I know this is a long shot, but if there is anyone here familiar with analyzing RNA-seq data or building workstations for bioinformatics I need advice on building a computer for an academic lab I recently joined. We are not a bioinformatics lab, but will be working on an increasing amount of RNA-seq data that we will be collecting and decided we would rather do analysis in-house rather than having to continue to send it to collaborating labs. We will be using a campus server for mapping (as that is ridiculously computationally demanding) and plan to use this computer for analyzing the data we get back using programs like cufflinks, miso, and cuffdif. Our samples will be coming from mammalian cells, so fairly large reads. My main concern is if this CPU and amount of RAM will be enough for running these programs or if we will need to step up to a server architecture to increase our number of cores and amount of RAM(in the 128-256 GB range). Cheers!

Approximate Purchase Date: this month

Budget Range: $3500-$5500

System Usage from Most to Least Important: cufflinks,miso,cuffdiff, and other analysis software

Are you buying a monitor: Yes

Do you need to buy OS: We will be using a Linux package

Location: U.S.

Parts Preferences: Intel

Overclocking: If going with this CPU, then yes

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-5960X 3.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($899.99 @ Micro Center)
CPU Cooler: NZXT Kraken X61 106.1 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-X99-UD4 ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard ($244.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($419.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($419.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 1TB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($422.87 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital BLACK SERIES 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($124.00 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital BLACK SERIES 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($124.00 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Superclocked Video Card ($149.99 @ Amazon)
Case: NZXT H630 (Black) ATX Full Tower Case ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($13.99 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: Cooler Master R4-MFJR-07FK-R1 110.0 CFM 200mm Fan ($18.95 @ Amazon)
Case Fan: Cooler Master R4-MFJR-07FK-R1 110.0 CFM 200mm Fan ($18.95 @ Amazon)
Case Fan: Cooler Master R4-S4S-10AK-GP 60.9 CFM 140mm Fan ($9.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $3237.66
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-01-13 16:31 EST-0500

 

[casper1973]

I'm not familiar with any of those programs so I'd rather not give advice that is potentially incorrect.

I think you might have more luck on this forum - http://seqanswers.com/forums

They have an area dedicated to bioinformatics and there are several other threads about hardware requirements. Link directly to bioinformatics area - http://seqanswers.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=18

 

[jsei]

Thanks, I had tried finding a site dedicated to bioinformatics hardware and couldn't find one.