High-End personal Workstation Guidance

Page 3 - Seeking answers? Join the Tom's Hardware community: where nearly two million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.
Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
Quadro
PNY VCQ4000-PB Quadro 4000 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Workstation Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103069&cm_re=coolermaster_120mm_fan-_-35-103-069-_-Product

Hyper 212+
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065&cm_re=212%2b-_-35-103-065-_-Product

Extra Fan (Matching RPM and CFM to avoid burnout)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103069&cm_re=coolermaster_120mm_fan-_-35-103-069-_-Product

DDR3

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 12GB (3 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL7T-12GBRH
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231405&cm_re=12gb-_-20-231-405-_-Product

**** CAVEAT EMPTOR **** UD3 Mobo NOT on this list !!! ***** (should work) **** ?

Qualified Motherboards List:
ASRock X58 SuperComputer
ASRock X58 Extreme
ASRock X58 Deluxe
ASUS Rampage II Extreme
ASUS Rampage II GENE
ASUS P6T7 WS SuperComputer
ASUS P6T6 WS Revolution
ASUS P6T WS Professional
ASUS P6TD Deluxe
ASUS P6T Deluxe V2
ASUS P6T Deluxe
DFI UT X58-T3eH8
EVGA X58 SLI Classified
EVGA X58 Classified 4-Way SLI
EVGA X58 SLI
EVGA X58 SLI LE
EVGA X58 SLI Micro
Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD5
Gigabyte GA-EX58-EXTREME
Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD4P
Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD4
Gigabyte GA-EX58-DS4
MSI Eclipse Plus
MSI Eclipse SLI
MSI X58 Platinum
MSI X58 Platinum SLI
MSI X58 Pro-E
MSI X58 Pro
 


Thanks, Alvin. I won't do anything 'till I hear back from you.
 
I kept seeing FX3800, again and again, in the AutoDesk/CS5 Cert Lists but I believe this to be a newer/better/cheaper option ... DX11/OGL4.0 & 2GB GDDR5 (what's not to like?)

I would triple check that it is "ideal" on the certs and forums ... definately looks to be 100% (PB sub-rev ... good)


PS ... I posted my reply just before your last post so, you might have missed it.

Poor "Puff" ... you so hijacked his thread! ... Might learn something !

 
Clocking ... Some choices you will need to make ...

(1) Go for 4.2GHz with Turbo boost "OFF". (not more, even if u can).
(2) Go for a more conservative 3.8GHz (Turbo "off" and HT "ON") ... RECOMMENDED!) ... Just to avoid early death.
(3) Go for 3.6GHz with Turbo and HT "ON". Quieter and power-saving ... more gentle.

 
Don't poor me alvin, this is the good stuff. I'm liking this conversation, hijack it, just don't ignore the puff when i puff. simple as that. Good luck with your purchase mountain man iliya! your daughter is a fortunate one. Alvin, hopefully you can slander my build in a couple days... but for now, i have to finish with my semesterly finals!

I prefer a mixture of white with a little mate. Antioxidizingly eye-opening!
 
If you really want to be super nice to your lovely and talented daughter ...
.... and if you are feeling generous, to the tune of an extra $100 (total)

(1) Get the Noctua cooler ... It has speed/noise inhibitor options, included ...

(2) Opt for THIS PSU ... Prolly the Quietest and most premium PSU in the channel.
SeaSonic X750 Gold 750W ATX12V V2.3/EPS 12V V2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
Average Rating

5/5(99 reviews)

Sanyo Denki San Ace PWM Silent Fan
In stock.
Was: $189.99Now: $159.99
Save: $30.00

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151087&cm_re=seasonic-_-17-151-087-_-Product

All of my GURUS swear by this PSU ... The fan is big and slow and ONLY SPINS WHEN IT NEEDS TO.

PS ... SEASONIC MAKES CORSAIR PSUs !

 


I'm on dial-up here at home, _frustrating_ so I can't check the links you provided. I'll check them first thing in the morning when I get to work. Thanks for your help, I feel better already...
 
About the cooler choice ...

The 212+ will prolly cool at least 90% as efficiently as the Noctua and, even with the second fan, represents a fairly substantive discount ... "most popular, by far" ...

Now, I don't usually get all "sexual" about computer parts but the Noctua 140x120mm part really does give me a woody. Aside from looking downright sexy, it comes with noise attenuators (in-line resistors), ... You may find that you can run cool at a lower RPM and, if so ... cuts noise significantly ... Also ... I belive the fans will have a higher MTBF than the CM fans on the 212+ ...
... Just look at the Noctua ... it is pure elegance ... yeah ... "worth it", for X58 builds.
 


We do appreciate your endurance ... And, no matter how much or how little one knows, there will always be someone who knows more, and there will always be those who know less. ... puff away.

PS ... Six months ago, there were not nearly as many dual proc turnkey systems as (I just discovered) there are now (since the summer release of CS5) ... so ... I'll give you points for holding my feet to the fire.

Again, tho ... those system builders are ensuring that one could edit many layers of SDI or 4:2:2 Intra-Frame codecs with spinning, metallic, reflecting and gleaming titles (Like NFL Football coverage) ... in real time, with almost no output render time ... Over-Kill for world+dog.

... And those turnkey builders are really skimping on other parts that matter, as well ... giving "poor puff" the false impression that these options are cost/performance competitive, with the smokin' X58 build, that we are currently engaged in.

12 threads (or even 8 threads) of fast CPU core-compute with 2x16x PCIe2.0 Slots will definately get the job done, with aplomb (plenty of snap) and will handle MANY layers of 4:2:0 (21Mbits/sec) AVCHD without a glitch. The GPU is the part that deals with all those spinning/flying/shimmering metallic logos and titles ... 3D motion graphics, that is. But don't think that the CPU compute core does not have PLENTY to do, in the mean time.

sore fingers ... out of coffee ... time to surf YouTube ... nighty-nite.
 
Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD5 Item#: N82E16813128422 seems like the best compromise of price/features/quality. I'm not sure why I picked out two Gigabyte boards in a row. Normally, I prefer ASUS. I have used Gigabyte in the past. Of the boards on that list, I've used all the brands except ASRock. The ASRock X58 Extreme is the cheapest on the list at $164.99. I could save over a hundred bucks with it. ASUS P6TD is $240. For ten bucks more than the Gigabyte UD5 I could get a ASUS Rampage III. That looks like a nice board, BUT it's not on the list, I assume because it too new. Not sure what to do at this point.

I REALLY want to get this stuff ordered TODAY!
 
Alvin, where did you find that list of qualified MB's? I can't find anything from AutoDesk with a list of qualified MB's. I'm running out of time...
 
OK, here it is boys, the whole order. Quite a bit more expensive than I wanted to spend, due of course to the GPU. I'm going to order very shortly. Alvin, wish you were here to tell me I'm doing the right thing...


Intel Core i7-950 Bloomfield 3.06GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor BX80601950
Item #: N82E16819115211

Noctua NH-D14 120mm & 140mm SSO CPU Cooler
Item #: N82E16835608018

GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD5 LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813128422

PNY VCQ4000-PB Quadro 4000 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Workstation Video Card
Item #: N82E16814133324

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 12GB (3 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL8T-12GBRM
Item #: N82E16820231406

SeaSonic X750 Gold 750W ATX12V V2.3/EPS 12V V2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
Item #: N82E16817151087

(as a second monitor): ASUS VH198T Black 19" 5ms LED Backlight LCD Monitor
Item #: N82E16824236072

OCZ Vertex 2 OCZSSD2-2VTXE90G 2.5" 90GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
Item #: N82E16820227611

2 of these: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drives
Item #: N82E16822152185

COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Steel + Plastic and Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Item #: N82E16811119197

ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM
Item #: N82E16827135204

2 of these: Link Depot 10 ft. HDMI TO HDMI A/V Cable Model HDMI-3-HDMI - OEM
Item #: N82E16812189054

4 of these: OKGEAR 18" SATA 6 Gbps Cable, Right Angle to Right Angle W/ Metal Latch, UV Blue, Backward Compatible 3 Gbps and 1.5 Gbps
Item #: N82E16812123112

Pixxo MD-W1G5 Black 1 x Wheel 2.4GHz Wireless Laser Mouse
Item #: N82E16826664006

LITE-ON SK-1788/BS 2-Tone PS/2 Wired Standard Keyboard
Item #: N82E16823107120

Arctic Silver AA-1.75G Thermal Compound
Item #: N82E16835100014

Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
Item #: N82E16832116758
 
awesome iliya, do it man. press the button. You have my approval! However you might want to consider a lian li case, they are of the best quality found today.

what's the total price?
 


Funny you should mention it. I would have used a lian li case, except for two things: Price, and the fact that I expect this thing to run very hot, so I was convinced the HAF case was the way to go, even though...

... I absolutely HATE the way that fat, ugly sucker looks. But it's not mine, it's my daughter's, and hopefully she won't care one way or the other (yea, good luck, she's a designer of things). I actually thought about sending her the case photo to get her approval, but the cooling thing was really the most important point. So it doesn't matter what she thinks, she's gotta have it anyway.

Now I have to make it theft-proof, as it sits in their design studio 24/7. I think I'm going to bolt in some kind of steel loop that she can run a cable or chain through. I gave her strict instructions not to tell anybody what's in it. That's another reason why I didn't want a "flashy" case, so as not to draw attention. But who knows, maybe her's is the cheapest box there.

It's pretty fancy for me however. I've only built one other "super-computer" in my life. That was a LONG time ago. Alvin will remember. It was an over-clocked Celeron 300A, with an Abit MB and a Supermicro full tower (seems like about 48" tall). It ran at 450 Mhz, the same as the most expensive Pentium II you could buy at the time. I needed it for a very realistic racing simulation game that had just come out. Ah, things were simpler then. And cheaper!

Anyway, Alvin, if you read this, got any benchmarks you want me to run when I get it finished?
 
Sorry ... I didn't make coffee 'till midnight ...

The build looks good. Cooler comes with paste. I know you are already stretching and your daughter prolly does not want a full tower (big) but you just might want to consider the HAF 942 ... The 922 will work but it may get pretty cramped ... The air-flow/turbulence/convection, and extra fan mounts/spaces plus a few after-market 120mm fans would not be a waste but, ya gotta draw the line somewhars.

I also would not have recommended less than a pair of (perfectly) matched displays of ~24" or larger ... maybe 23.5" but, again, reality bites. Hope her eyes are really good ... more and bigger real-estate is always helpful with graphics suites ... lots of file bins and tool-bars, etc.

Anyway ... that build is fantastic ... the UD5 is great and ... W_T_F ???
... YOU CHOSE DIFFERENT RAM ??? GGEEESH !

... Go with the CAS7 that I spec'd if you want best OC ... Otherwise, going with the UD5 is kind of pointless ... That RAM I Spec'd is were that motherboard list came from ... the RAM would prolly also work with the UD3 but they din't cert the UD3 and you might notive the voltages can differ, on RAM (1.5V or 1.65V) so, fine ... go with the sleepier RAM and Mobo ... VERY little difference in every-day use ... may shave 5 minutes off a 25 minute render (I edit video, mostly, so 3D motion graphics milage may differ.)

You definately are well within the ball-park ...

More on mobos ...

First ... the ASROCK is OK ... And so is the UD3 but you said you wanted to get jiggy with clocking so I recommended the NOCTUA, The CAS7 RAM and an Enthusiast MOBO in order to ensure the smoothest and most sustainable experience, with all that but, like I said ... the ASROCK and UD3 can clock really well, even with good CAS8 RAM ...
... The bios on the higher grade boards is a bit friendlier ... more voltage steps and such ...

ALSO ... The MAIN THING choosing the mobo is PCIe LANE ALLOCATION ... Most/All these boards will auto-switch (some set by bios) to allocate various bandwidth to various 16X/8X/4X configs, within the long slots, depending on how many of those slots are populated.

Don't get too dizzy, with all this ... you could just choose an ASUS, GIGABYTE, ASROCK, MSI board ... one that is well rated and has all the ports you want. There are strengths and weaknesses to each board and one must read ALL the customer reviews (on newegg) to get a handle on whassup with each board.

Sort "worst to best" reviews but remember that 80% of the worst reviews are usually noobs who are idiots ... but if five or six users are saying the board buzzes or a certain cooler wont fit ... there might be an actual issue ... also check the date and rev of board they are talking about because many probs get fixed with the next rev of the board or a bios update ... so newer "gang-complaints" have more weight.

= Sorry I dropped out ... I gotta crash hard one or two days each week.
 
Best mouse and KB I have ever owned or used ... by far ... period !!!

Suitable for CAD and Graphics, the mouse can change dpi, on the fly ...

Both are wired and both are very expensive ...

If you can only afford one of them ??? ... GET BOTH !

COOLER MASTER SGM-6000-KLLW1-GP Sentinel Advance Black 8 Buttons Wired Laser 5600 dpi Mouse
8 Buttons Wired Laser Hand Orientation: Right Hand
Maximum dpi: 5600 dpi
Features: 64 Kb Onboard Memory OLED DPI Display 5600 DPI Storm Tactical Twin-laser Sensor Tracks on most surfaces, ensures minimal lift-off distance IC controlled Illumination with 7 colors and variable lighting effects Real-time Speed Measurement 1.0ms Polling Time This technological marvel utilizes the latest innovations in cutting-edge technology: 5600 DPI twin laser, rapid fire mode, internal Sentinel-X memory
Parts: 2 years limited
Model #: SGM-6000-KLLW1-GP
Item #: N82E16826570005
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

Now: $69.99
$6.98 Shipping


http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=coolermaster+mouse

Logitech 920-000914 Black 106 Normal Keys USB Wired Ultra-thin Illuminated Keyboard
Average Rating

5/5(443 reviews)

In stock. Limit 5 per customer.
Was: $79.99Now: $69.99
Save: $10.00QTY. Add to Cart ► Add to Wishlist
Price Alert
Print This Page
Share
Protect Your Investment!
Add 1-year extended warranty for only $9.99. (more info)$4.99 Shipping (restrictions apply)
Additional fees may apply to shipments to AK, HI and PR.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126043&cm_re=logitech_keyboard_illuminated-_-23-126-043-_-Product


The KB is VERY quick ... I can type twice as fast as any other KB and (ha ha) I can type for HOURS on this KB and not get fatigued ... truly a joy.

 


What RAM? I chose the RAM you originally posted in your "ultimate" rig, your first reply to Puff. That's were I got it. Later, I saw you had recommended another p/n, I looked it up, I thought it was slower (I can't double check now, I'm on dial-up). Go back to your first post, the RAM I got was what you recommended.

As far as the case, that Quadro 4000 is pretty small. It's only single slot and only 10 inches long. I looked at the bigger HAF, but as I recall, it was very close to 30 lbs. She's only a girl, after all. I really thought the Anatec 300 was MUCH better looking. Woulda worked too, with that littler GPU size-wise, but I went with the HAF because of heat - evidently the quadro makes lots of it (plus it was cheap!)

Maybe you didn't notice, she already has a decent (H-IPS) monitor. It's a 24" Dell Ultrasharp. The thing I bought yesterday was only a second monitor. I know that with some Nvidia cards, two monitors at different resolutions car cause certain problems, but when I brought this up on the Nvidia forum, I was told not to worry about it.

Thanks for the tip on the KB - I'll get on for MYSELF. I love a good keyboard. Of all the comuters I presently own and use, only ONE has a decent keyboard - my last remaining original IBM unit, I forget the model, but you know the one. I gave up years ago trying to find a good KB, so I just type slow. I AM getting old, after all.

So get back to me on the RAM. what's up with your two recommendations?
 
You should look into Razer for a mouse. I found the best they have to offer, Razer Mamba for half the price on woot.com. (granted it is refurbished but works like a charm). I'm curious to try the COOLMASTER but this mouse i don't think will be beatable. Their lesser mice are just as good without the cordless capability. 5600dpi and adaptable sensitivity on the fly. You should look into them.

Razer Mamba:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826153048

Razer Lachesis (similar feel to the mamba, the greatest feel in this world!):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826153059
 


OK, now I see, I didn't click on your last RAM, the one with the MB's. Big mistake, 7-7-7-7-21 vs. 8-8-8-8-24, plust it's CHEAPER. Now I'm really bummed out. I waited as long as I could, but I understand. You gotta sleep sometime.

The thing is she needs the thing NOW. That's why I was in a rush to order.
 
OK, I have some really good news, and some REALLY bad news. I called Newegg to try and cancel the order so I could re-order with the correct RAM. In the process of this, I discovered the memory was not on the order! I'm not sure how that happened. Anyway, the good news is, I have the correct memory coming. The bad news, of course, is that this thing costs $300 more than I thought. I was OK with the total yesterday, but this puts it right at that round number I was trying to avoid.

I've built A LOT of computers over the years and yes, Alvin, I've soldered them together too (TRS-80 model I + expansion interface clones), but I've NEVER spent this amount of money before. Hey, good thing the economy is booming, right?
 
Hey iiliya77. Im an architectural student (student of design too). I'm super curious as to how this build works for your daughter. I'm sure it will help me guide my decisions. Anyhow, i'd really appreciate some follow up commentary on this build and some 3d rendering test or benchmarks if you could. Thanks for the awesome contribution to this thread by the way.
 


Wow, nobody has ever complimented me on a forum before. Usually, I get asked to leave and told to NEVER, EVER come back.
 
Sorry it costed so much ... The case and PSU should easily last 10 years ... The SSD should not start to degrade for 5 years. You mobo and proc should get her thru grad school and internships ...

That Quadro should last a good 5 years and could prolly ride shotgun, after that.

Glad the RAM worked out (whew!) ... This sys should OC better than most air-breathers.

I've been crashing hard, the last couple of days ... never fully woke up, yesterday ... Woke up, today, ate, crashed back out.

Taking it easy, tonite.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom