PC for data analysis (CPU-Ram intensive tasks)

ion1972

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Oct 3, 2011
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I need to build a new PC. It will be used for data analysis. Meaning that it should be as fast as possible doing arithmetic calculations and accessing memory.
My old PC is a Q6600@2.4 with 4GB DDR2 800 and a DFX MB.
I was thinking something like this:

CPU: Core i7 980
RAM: 8GB DDR3 1600
HD: SSD Drive (for smoooth operation)
GPU :Low end, it doesn't matter really. No 3D graphics intended.
MB: I really don't know. I hope you could make me some suggestions.
PSU:800 watt should be overkill with low end GPU
Case: Anything that can take the components will do. This will be a workhorse PC, no flashiness needed.

Also, it would help a lot if someone would make a hypothesis about how much faster the new PC could be for the kind of tasks I will be using it (data analysis-CPU intensive). Thank you very much.

Forgot to say that $600 would be the most I would pay for the CPU. About $1000-$1200 for CPU+RAM+MB.
 
There are very few situations where the i7 980 /x58 combo are superior to i7 2600K/ z68

And when they are its usually possible to OC the 2600K to more than cover the difference

But if your application [ what is it ? ] is able to access multi core systems then waiting a few days for the release of AMD's new 8 core processors might be a smart move .

You are more likely to need a 500 watt psu
 
Yes I have read about the 2600k. But in Passmark for example it still behind by about 10%.
Multicore is not essential. Process of analysis is linear and so multiple cores (more than 2) won't make any difference.
I know that I myself am suggesting a quad core, but I do so because it is overall a fast chip. As is 2600k.
I know that there are XEON cpus that would fit my needs better but
A. I believe they are super expensive
B. I got no experience what so ever with XEON and the components to run them.
 
Get a i7 2600K and overclock it to 4.5Ghz along with a Hyper 212 Evo. That should do your job! 😉

Get Gskill Low Voltage 8GB DDR3 1600 memory and overclock it to 1866Mhz.

Alternative : Get the upcoming AMD FX 8150.
 


Is the overclocking of i7 2600k straightforward? I mean no chip modding with pencils and such?
Could you suggest a good MB to carry the overclocking weight?
 


Thank you the reply, Outlander,
Could you suggest a good MB for this setup?
 
Alright I went to some overclocking sites and it seems 2600k OC is super easy,
So, the only thing missing is a good motherboard.

CPU: i7 2600K and overclocked to ~4.5Ghz with a Hyper 212 Evo
RAM: Gskill Low Voltage 8GB DDR3 1600 memory overclocked to 1866Mhz (thanks 008Rohit)
MB: ???
 
Memory should be as fast as you can afford really.
Price performance sweet spot is probably 1600Mhz , 1.5 volt or lower
and the LOWEST latency you can afford
7-7-7-20 is faster than 9-9-9-24

Not so important for gamers but for your application it should make a measurable difference

Any motherboard with a Z68 chipset . Performance is all fairly close since the chip sets are identical
Asus , Gigabyte , Asrock are arguably the better brands
 
I suggest the ASRock Extreme3 Gen3 Z68 motherboard. Rock Solid! Proven to be a good overclocker, high quality capacitors, PCIe 3.0 Slots, Ivy Bridge upgradibility.

Like Outlander said, low latency and high frequency RAMs will improve the performance of your PC. :) I suggest Gskill 1.25V 1600Mhz RAM for the performance/cost ratio. :)