PC for data analysis (CPU-Ram intensive tasks)

[ion1972]

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.

 

[Outlander_04]

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

 

[ion1972]

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.

 

[008Rohit]

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.

 

[Outlander_04]

If its only two cores then DEFINITELY the 2600K

The only situations the hexcore is better are heavily multithreaded apps

and its simple to OC the 2600 to much higher speeds and still stay cool

 

[ion1972]

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?

 

[ion1972]

If its only two cores then DEFINITELY the 2600K

The only situations the hexcore is better are heavily multithreaded apps

and its simple to OC the 2600 to much higher speeds and still stay cool

Thank you the reply, Outlander,
Could you suggest a good MB for this setup?

 

[ion1972]

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: ???

 

[Outlander_04]

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

 

[008Rohit]

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.