High-End personal Workstation Guidance

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Now I'm starting to get freaked out it's not going to fit on top of the memory. I can't check cuz the memory is not here yet. Hope I don't end up sending half the order back! (I ordered 6 too many cables). The MB included 4 SATA cables already and I realized like two minutes after Newegg finalized the order I accidentally ordered two HDMI cables.

That cooler goes right over the tops of the memory sockets.
 
Yes ... and, while that cooler is twice as large and twice as expensive as the "hyper212 class" of 120mm push-pull coolers, which are easily 90% as efficient, what you are REALLY paying for is SILENCE !!! Same with that PSU ... It makes less than half as much noise as the premium Corsairs (which seasonic also makes).

Considering the (completely) silent SSD ... and, the "quieter than western-digital" Spinpoint drive ... That Quadro will be the loudest (only) noise you will hear, and ONLY when it is running under full render loads ... That HAS to be worth SOMEthing !!

... What you purchased, for your beloved, with that extra hundred bucks, was silence and (fire) safety. She can actually kick-off a major render and go to sleep (if she has time to drift-off, before the render completes !! ).

Ya did GOOD ! ... I'm certain that your attention to detail and your willingness to "spend-righteously", will feel like love ... every single day she uses it. Hell, she might even make you a coffee-mug, out of clay !! (espresso cup, whatever).

... I am SO ashamed! ... I under-extracted, again, tonite !!!

 
Don't worry 'bout the RAM clearance, as the fans can be shifted up, to clear the sinks, anyway ... The RAM sinks could ALSO be removed ...
... Iffin you REALLY are in the mood to worry, you should dry-fit it to your socket, just to see if there are any clearance issues with the VRM cans or the North-Bridge heat-pipes.
... The size might also make you put your DVDR somewhere other than the place you planned ... The price of quality (Alas).

 



Well ... u r gonna need prime95 (free dnld), fer sher. ... The game is to watch your temps at various (escalating OC) clock/bus rates and voltages, and, once you think you have found a sustainably conservative "top-clock" formula (BIOS parameter set), then you run >> prime95 << all night, and check your temps and any errors logged, the next a.m. ... Some folks do this for a long weekend, ... but YOU won't ...

... I'm just gonna tell you to do an optimum application of the thermal paste and to mount the cooler with deliberate firmness and to set it at no greater than 3.6 GHz, with BOTH TURBO BOOST and HT enabled (at all times .. in all modes ... unless her professor tells her otherwise). This will allow the CPU to run cool-n-quiet, for most all tasks, but to "shoot-up" to 4.2GHz, on tasks such as transcodes.
(WIKIPEDIA has a good explanation of the conditions and ratios, I believe).

"WE" *DO* have an OC forum, just down the hallway, HERE, at Tom's Forums and I will confess that ALVIN is NOT ANY SORT of OC authority (to put it very mildly) ... (wanna buy a cooked P4 Northwood ?)


youTube might have some useful blippits on X58 OC ... search for your mobo model #, on YT.

PS ... IF you make the mistake of running at 4.2GHz, (at all times), AND if you ENABLE TURBO BOOST, AS WELL (i.e. " if you FORGET to DISABLE TURBO at 4.2GHz") ... well ... Talk to the folks, over on the OC forum and please do let me know if I am totally full of it ... 'kay?




= hope that helps ... a bit =



 
(OC) cont'd ...

ALSO ... REMEMBER that the newegg cust reviews, for YOUR PARTICULAR MOBO (SORTED LATEST/MOST-RECENT FIRST) ... is a PRIME source for OC settings AND **VOLTAGES** ... That goes for YOUR SPECIFIC RAM REVIEWS, AS WELL.

... easy to forget that useful resource ... lot's to learn, there.
... confirmation thru agreement on several posts.

 


Bummer. But don't worry, you can't really make proper espresso without a good grinder. And they are $600-900.

http://www.1st-line.com/machines/home_mod/mazzer/index.htm

Of the four components of good coffee, The man, the bean, the grinder, and the machine, the machine is last on the list. With espresso, the grinder is more important.

Of course, you could spend thousands (on just the grinder), but $600 will get you good espresso. Unfortunately, less than that just won't do the trick. You're gonna get under-extraction and thin, bitter caffe.

Why is the good stuff always so expensive?
 


The RAM came today. Fits under the cooler just fine. Nice looking RAM, too.

I feel really weird talking about this stuff "looking good". It's just computer parts. Why does it have to look good? (Rhetorical question). For the same reason the engine compartment of a Ferrari has to. They even use the same techniques. Anodize the aluminum bits and mill off the fins, lettering, etc.

The Noctua cooler installed VERY easily. It is very, VERY easy to install. I used their compound, 5mm blob. Was going to get a piece of glass so I could experiment, but never got around to it. The temps will tell the story, I suppose.

Now I'm just waiting around for that stupid case. ARGH!!! Wish I had gotten the right one to begin with. It won't be here until Friday.
 


You can start bread-boarding, iffin you really wanna. Basically, put the mobo on a pizza box and assemble just the basic components, outside the case.

... You can make certain all the fans are spinning and check out the bios ... set your initial RAM timings, etc.

... I (just me, personally), am too lazy and impatient ... I'll do it if it all does not work ... for troubleshooting, but I like to "go on faith", and just hope it will crank right up. Usually does.

... usually.

 
My obligitory "Standoff Warning" ...

I issue this warning to first timers ... prolly totally wasted, on an old-timer, such as yersef ...

The brass hex standoffs screw into the case and the mobo rests on them, using the silver mounting screws (into the female threads of the standoffs) to secure the mobo.

Two of the five most common errors are:

(1) Extra (and/or mis-placed) standoffs which short the traces under the mobo ...
..and..
(2) Some idjuts screw the mobo directly to the case (mobo mounting tray/panel), which obviously, will short ALL the traces, on the bottom of the mobo ...

So, count the mobo mounting holes and make sure there is one standoff, for each hole, and no others. Make sure they ALL line up (when the i/o panel is in place).

... I don't usually use the cloth washers but they go ON TOP of the mobo holes and just help to "snug-up" the screws.

Another major mis-step is to forget to connect the CPU power connector (seperate from the main one(s)).

I put the i/o panel bezel/plate into the case (snaps in, you will feel it give) BEFORE I mount the mobo.

Here is your pre-build homework. Keep it handy, during your build. There is a "problems" check-list ... A HIGHLY evolved document (I helped, a little) ... The checklist WILL solve 96.3% of first-boot failures.

"System won't boot" and "no video output" checklist

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261145-31-perform-steps-posting-boot-video-problems

Step-by-Step Guide to Building a PC

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/274745-31-step-step-guide-building


lemme know if any probs or questions.
 
Go For The Xeon
Click to expand...


sr26. do you realize how valuable the commentary before you input was? You tell me to go for the Xeon like that's that. Come on man, this Alvin guy is hitting us up with some quality threading, like multi-magny core style every post and you come with this intel pentium classic single threaded not even a sentence long input. We need reasons on this page my friend. You gotta come stronger than a simple opinion, some facts, stats, experiences or you'll soon find Jim Rome in here dropping 'EEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR's soon enough.
 


lol
 
Build One (1xCPU / 2xGPU) TOTAL: $4300ish

CASE: LIAN LI PC-A77F Black Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case
FANS: x3 Noctua NF-P12-1300 120mm CPU Cooler and Case Fan
x2 Noctua NF-P14 FLX 140mm Case Fan

MOBO: ASUS Rampage III Extreme LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

CPU: Intel Core i7-950 Bloomfield 3.06GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor BX80601950
Noctua NH-D14 120mm & 140mm SSO CPU Cooler

GPUx2: PNY VCQ4000-PB Quadro 4000 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Workstation Video Card

MEM: OCZ Flex EX 12GB (3 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2133 (PC3 17000) Desktop Memory Model OCZ3FXE2133LV12GK

SSD: Crucial RealSSD C300 CTFDDAC128MAG-1G1 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

HHD: HITACHI Deskstar 7K2000 HDS722020ALA330 (0F10311) 2TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

PSU: ENERMAX SGALAXY EVO EGX1250EWT 1250W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Certified 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Compatible w/Core ...

MONITOR:HP / Hewlett-Packard ZR24w 24" Widescreen LCD Computer Display ($400)
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/684126-REG/HP_Hewlett_Packard_VM633A8_ABA_ZR24w_24_Widescreen_LCD.html


The idea with this build is that I OC the processor to 3.8 or 4.0 ghz steadily (meaning all the time... if this is okay) and apply the GPUs to work towards my real time rendering necessities. I also plan on OCing the memory to 1800 or 2000 ( since i'm sort of wimpy with this and i don't want my OCing to really blow my money away).

As far as the other applications I use go, I think this CPU can handle them. I don't usually work in more than 2-3 programs at a time (so I'll have adobe PS/ AI/ CAD/ and RHINO open at once during my work times).

I'm planning on hooking the SSD up to SATA III and possibly (if it's smart to) to do the same for the HDD. The SSD will host my Windows and Programs. Would it be smart to get a seperate SSD for windows (say...64mb SSDs. 1 for OS and 1 for Programs)? Also, I can RAID 1 these things too right?

The memory comes with heatsink and water coolability from the manufacturer and it says it's not compatable with the Noctua NH-D14 but if i understand correctly Alvin stated you can lift it over the memory heatsinks? Will the CPU use all this memory efficienty/ effectively? I've read posts on the i7 920 not being able to use all this memory has to offer due to its inability to supply power (if i read this correctly) Is this a problem with the 950?:
"Running 12GB of memory at 2133MHz was something I figured would be a pretty tough chore and hard for the IMC on my 920 to do, but was pleasantly surprised to see that I was able to do this quite easily. However, it did take a bit of trial and error setting the QPI voltage to allow it to happen. I had to go to 1.55v to get stable at the 2133MHz stock speeds. Higher than I would like to run but it's what it took to get there. Going higher required me to bump the QPI volts and the memory voltage up to up another few notches until I reached the uncore limit on my chip on air right at about 4400MHz, while reaching 2214MHz on the memory. The bad thing is I feel there is more left in this set. Loosening the sub-timings further did not help to increase the clock speeds any higher. By tightening the timings to 8-9-8-27 I was able to run these modules comfortably at just over 2000MHz by increasing the voltage to the modules to 1.74v to get me prime stable at 2022MHz. Cas 7 could be done up to just over 1900MHz without insane voltages but if you buy a set of modules rated for 2133MHz, you do at least want to run them at that speed. Either air or water cooling this 12GB set of modules from OCZ should get you to at least a 220 bclock on your combo depending on your memory controller. Some are much stronger than others as shown by the results I have gotten with this chip. Time to start looking for a better CPU or switch up to the 980X, it looks like."
-http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/ocz_pc317000_flex_ex/3.htm

I saw this power supply for $80 off its original $340 price making it $60 more than the SeaSonic you recommended Alvin. Not sure if I need this much power and would overamping my system be a bad thing?

Should i think about watercooling this thing?

Does this strategy seem alright? What's wrong with it? I KNOW there's something out of sink.

-puff
 


UPS tracking shows the case "out for delivery", so I should be good to go here today pretty soon.
 


It's too expensive.
 
OK ... I dint read all of your explaination (at the end ... YET) but I'll just give you my first impressions, based on your specs ... (read between the stars)



 
@PUFF ...

ON DDR3 RAM SCALINGS (SPEEDS vs. PERFORMANCE): ...

This article is not as recent, nor are the chosen benches as pertinent as the article that I actually was looking for and wanted to show you ... BUT ... Tom's does test reviews (benches) of RAM scalings, prolly twice each year.

... This link is to the conclusions page, of one such article (tho dated) ... BUT ... The conclusions mirror every other article which I have read, regarding the cost-vs.-performance of different RAM CAS and Clock timings ...

http://www.tomshardware.com/picturestory/511-14-memory-scaling-ddr3.html

... I agree with the findings ... Get an extra SSD, if you really wanna get that boost.


 



HAAA !! HAHAHAHAHA !!! SUCK-UHH !!

Don't feed the TROLLS !!! You fell for it !


Thanks for the kind words and support, tho.

= tee-hee =

He was just trolling for flames ... The "joke" was that, after ALL the intense technical proofs and references, proving "my" one-socket recommendation ... he just simply quipped to the contrary.

... HE DOES NOT BELIVE HIS OWN "ADVICE". (and, it is BAD advice, given your criteria, to be sure).
 
PUFF,

You could get a Blackmagic Design Intensity Shuttle, and a FERMI 460 or 570 (as a 2nd GPU) for less than that 2nd Quadro. (or close, anyway).

Look at Illy's (FINAL) config and duplicate it ... adding a 2nd GPU (if more than 2 displays), a second HDD, and that Intensity Shuttle ... maybe a second 1200~128GB SSD, if your money is burning a hole, in your pocket.

A month, from now, you'll prolly be wishing you had a LOT more money, to purchase OBJECT LIBRARIES and plug-ins, and BORIS RED, and dozens of other expensive suite enhancements.

... There is no end to the sw stuff you are going to need (or just "want").
... Decent 3-chip pro-sumer camcorders (and Video DSLRs) start at $3K + accessories.

... The 24" LCDs (plural) are a very good idea.

 
SSDs ...
... Get SSDs with SandForce controllers (TRIM support, et. al.) ...
... DO NOT get an SSD that is less than 90GB unless it is DEDICATED to output renders (scratch/write drive).

After several "call-backs" from previous clients, I had more than a couple of reports that 64GB was a bit too tight, and SOME (20%) free space is req'd for disk management (shuffling data ... kinda like defrag space).

... just to answer one (more) of you many questions.

... I'll read more, later, prolly. In "lazy mode" ... ATM.

 
OK, it's up and running. Configuring the RAID1 is slowing me down a little bit because I've never done that before. But no problems so far. I'll post back when I get the OS installed.
 
btw ... I usually go with "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" ... but ... you MAY wish to consider updating the sys bios, as that MIGHT be needed, to allow a hex-core upgrade, at some later date.

... You/She, could also do it later, at that time ... YOUR CALL ... I'm jus' gonna stand way over here.

 
OK, I'm now speaking to you from the new computer. There was something wrong with one of the memory sticks or MB. It was REALLY messing me up. All kinds of random problems. I removed all 3, switched them around, and now everthing is fine. Wierd. Wasted a lot of time with that.

All the MB driver's are installed. I'm gonna install the Nvidia drivers now.
 
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