New High End Build For Architectural Design

[RabidSnail]

So I like to consider myself fairly experienced when it comes to designing a system build, I have completed maybe three dozen builds or so for students at a local college. But I am at a point where I really want a powerful desktop, But I want to do it right, make it as future proof as possible and get the most for my money.

Just an Idea on what i intend to do with this build... I do a lot of architecture renderings, Use a lot of BIM software like Revit, An huge into 30 Modeling with Rhino and Grasshopper, and like to play the occasional video game like Skyrim or Bioshock Infinite. Im going into Graduate School and intend to use this new system to design my next architecture project entirely in Rhino Using Grasshopper, which for anyone familiar with these programs knows how intense they can be at sophisticated levels

There are a lot of different components i am debating on, so I kind of want to get some opinions on them. As far as a Motherboard, I was thinking this: Asus P9X79. The reason being I want a Motherboard that will last me 5+ years. I know its a stretch, but i figure the expandability of 4 GPUs and 8 sticks of RAM were the selling point. I am fairly loyal to Asus, but if there are other ideas out there that would be better i would appreciate the advice.

The CPU i was thinking about was a Hex core Intel i7-3930K. My only hesitation is it is now 2 generations old, and i know not much out there takes advantage of hex core power. I would like to stick with Intel, and this is puching my max budget for a processor.

Next i guess is RAM. Absolutely no loyalty here to any brand. I typically use G-Skill, but mainly because the bule of the ASUS motherboard matches 😛 Im not sure if i should use dual channel or Quad channel. All i know is i want to stick with 8GB sticks, and probably start off with either 16GB or 32GB only to save money upfront. In the long run i Plan to max the Mobo out

Graphics cards I am somewhat clueless on. I used to be extremely loyal to NVidia, but recent poor experience with NVidia surround is making me switch to ATI. For starters I am only getting one card, but in the long run will upgrade to 4-Crossfire setup. I was looking at XFX with a Radeon 7870 2GB just because of the price point. i want to stay sub $250 per card. As long as its ATI im good with other suggestions though.

With the power supply i am trying to plan for the future. Im going with a 1200w Supply. Typically use OCZ or Raidmax, but im open to whatever is best. Absolutely require a modular design. Here is what i am looking at but if there is a better one sub $200 im up for it. Link!

The case i am completely undecided on. I love NZXT, but am up for anything. I just need a case that is easy to work with because i like to tinker, and I really would like to invest in liquid cooling. Recommendations are welcome

More on the liquid cooling... I have never done it before. I know except for extreme overclocking its kinda for show, but This desktop is partially going to be a showcase design for my side business. And i do intend to overclock to an extent. As far as what to watercool and what to air cool i haven't an idea where to start or how to. I DO NOT want an easy watercooling system that comes already assembled like NZXT Kraken. I want to learn from this build. So any help here is appreciated.

The remainder of the components are kinda no brainers... 256GB Samsung SSD, Western Digital Black 2TB hard drive, some bad ass fans, a cheap DVD Drive.

ANY advice is appreciated!

This is my first time posting, so i hope I used the Link tool right! If not there are a few links hidden in the text for parts to reference.

 

[g-unit1111]

What's your total budget? It will help to know that before a system can be suggested.

 

[RabidSnail]

I would like to stay under $2000. I already have displays, mouse, keyboard, ect. So keeping the tower under $2000, at least initially, is my goal.

 

[TheBigTroll]

the rig is never going to last 5 years. not by any standards it wont

heres what i would pick up
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/V2rU
-the i7 3930k is 2 generations behind, but it still excels in multi-threads. it will easily lose to haswell and ivy in terms of single threaded CPU performance but the extra cores are there if you can make use of them

-heatsink that does the job quietly and without much cost
-much cheaper than the asus offerings, yet better components used. if you want more IO, you can take a look at the x79s up5 wifi. on pcpartpicker it doesnt say its compatabile but it is
-its ram. they are basically all the same with a few exceptions
-a 7970 should be pretty good with OpenCL accelerated programs. if it uses CUDA, go back to a gtx 670. surround on both sides is fine. as for 4way, forget it. cards dont scale well after the second card and when you go past 3, it sometimes performs worse and it happens on both sides.
-caviar black drives are a rip off considering i can easily buy a seagate 3tb for less and it performs better. reliability depends how lucky you strike
-the m5s is much cheaper than the 840 pro but fast enough that you cant tell the difference between the 2 in real life

 

[RabidSnail]

as far as brands that you chose, are there any reasons behind them? this is a general question, not directed towards any specific part

 

[TheBigTroll]

i dont really buy by brand. i pick up whatever is built properly and is cheaper. for example, gigabyte always has stuff cheaper or stuff built better for the buck. asus always has better software than most other offerings.

 

[RabidSnail]

Thanks big troll for your advice! I really appreciate it. Any other opinions?

 

[TheBigTroll]

if you can wait, go for ivy bridge e

 

[RabidSnail]

I was doing some research earlier today, but couldnt find anything concrete on the release date for those? I was planning my build sometime before august, preferably in late may- mid june

 

[TheBigTroll]

well you should be asking within a week of when you are to build. that way the recommendations stay relevant. after a week, they will change