Pointers on buying new system

[pieter.segaert]

Hi

My old system is dying and I am looking to buy a new system. However, i am struggling to turn the list of demands for the new system into an actual list of components. I do know something about computers, but wouldn't have a clue on differences in motherboards/cooling demands/power supply etc. My budget would be up to or around 1500 euro / 1700 dollars. (I am based in Belgium/Europe).

The parameters determining the parts are:
- I frequently run numerical simulations in parallel
-> A decent CPU with a decent number of fast CPU cores
- These simulations may eat up some RAM memory
- Good cooling supporting simulations spanning multiple days without sounding super loud
- Some sort of graphics card to support casual gaming (mainly Assasin's Creed and COD)
- An SSD or perhaps even a samsung evo 950 m.2 for the operating system and most used software enabling fast usage of that software.
- For the case I mostly looking for something that is functional and decent.

Any pointers are greatly appreciated !!!

 

[kanewolf]

What is your current system? That will give us a baseline to compare against.

 

[pieter.segaert]

What is your current system? That will give us a baseline to compare against.

Currently my system -build in 2012- consists of

Case: Antec Dark Fleet DF-35
PSU: Xilence 700W (80 plus broze marked on it)
CPU: Intel Core i7 3770K @ 3.50GHz 33 °C (Ivy Bridge 22nm Technology)
Cooling: Hydro series H80 out of 2012 which makes a slight ratling noise
RAM: 2 x 8,00GB Single-Channe XMSl DDR3 @ 666MHz (9-9-9-24)
Motherboard: MSI Z68A-G43 (G3) (MS-7750)
Graphics: 1024MB ATI AMD Radeon HD 7700 Series (MSI)
Storage:
500GB Western Digital WDC WD5000AAKX-001CA0 ATA Device (SATA)
125GB Corsair Force 3 SSD ATA Device (SSD)
Optical Drive: TSSTcorp CDDVDW SH-222BB ATA Device
Operating System: Windows 10 Pro 64-bit (Retail)

Thank you!

 

[kanewolf]

Can your simulation software take advantage of CUDA or OpenCL ?

 

[pieter.segaert]

Can your simulation software take advantage of CUDA or OpenCL ?

Generally speaking not. In the cases where I would be able to are very limited and therefore do not really warrant to go for CUDA or OpenCL support.

Thanks!

 

[wetwonder]

Hi,
Get (1) an x99 motherboard, (2) a 6 core CPU like I7-6800k, (3) 32Gb RAM, (4) a 128GB SSD to boot windows and your software, and (5) - presuming you'll need a working drive to cache for your calculating, a 256GB SSD as an exclusive cache/scratch drive. If you buy 2nd hand on Ebay it'll be around U.S. $1,200 plus or minus - for all of this mentioned, and the few other things needed.

If you end up needing CUDA resources, that can be added later.

 

[g-unit1111]

Hi,
Get (1) an x99 motherboard, (2) a 6 core CPU like I7-6800k, (3) 32Gb RAM, (4) a 128GB SSD to boot windows and your software, and (5) - presuming you'll need a working drive to cache for your calculating, a 256GB SSD as an exclusive cache/scratch drive. If you buy 2nd hand on Ebay it'll be around U.S. $1,200 plus or minus - for all of this mentioned, and the few other things needed.

If you end up needing CUDA resources, that can be added later.

You do know that X99 is obsolete right? It;s been replaced with X299.

Z370 is the platform you should be considering now.

 

[USAFRet]

Hi,
Get (1) an x99 motherboard, (2) a 6 core CPU like I7-6800k, (3) 32Gb RAM, (4) a 128GB SSD to boot windows and your software, and (5) - presuming you'll need a working drive to cache for your calculating, a 256GB SSD as an exclusive cache/scratch drive. If you buy 2nd hand on Ebay it'll be around U.S. $1,200 plus or minus - for all of this mentioned, and the few other things needed.

If you end up needing CUDA resources, that can be added later.

$1700 budget, and you're suggesting buying old used stuff on fleabay?
(among the other issues of your parts recommendations)

 

[wetwonder]

Well he asked for an opinion. My opinion is to not pay a premium and to not use credit cards. Rather, always buy one generation removed, always buy pre-owned or refurbished, and always buy with cash. So one ends up with a well matched system, while paying less than 50% of retail.

USAFret, you posted on this thread, but didn't give an answer to Potato's question. Focus.

 

[wetwonder]

Hi,
Get (1) an x99 motherboard, (2) a 6 core CPU like I7-6800k, (3) 32Gb RAM, (4) a 128GB SSD to boot windows and your software, and (5) - presuming you'll need a working drive to cache for your calculating, a 256GB SSD as an exclusive cache/scratch drive. If you buy 2nd hand on Ebay it'll be around U.S. $1,200 plus or minus - for all of this mentioned, and the few other things needed.

If you end up needing CUDA resources, that can be added later.

You do know that X99 is obsolete right? It;s been replaced with X299.

Z370 is the platform you should be considering now.

The X99 is not obsolete. Obsolete means "no longer used or useful." The majority of professionals presently use some version of the X99 mobo.

 

[USAFRet]

Well he asked for an opinion. My opinion is to not pay a premium and to not use credit cards. Rather, always buy one generation removed, always buy pre-owned or refurbished, and always buy with cash. So one ends up with a well matched system, while paying less than 50% of retail.

USAFret, you posted on this thread, but didn't give an answer to Potato's question. Focus.

Focus?
While there is merit in not buying the absolute latest v1.0 shiny, there is also a LOT of merit in not buying used stuff from ebay.
Unless you are skilled in weeding out the crap and scams from the valid refurbs, and if you are willing to accept little or no warranty, and if you are ready and able to do more than a little bit of troubleshooting...then yeah, maybe.

But with a mediumly healthy budget ($1700), there is little need to go to those lengths.

And for just one of the specific parts you recommended, I wouldn't recommend a 120GB SSD OS drive at this point in time for any system. 250GB or larger, or don't bother.

Lastly, the 'majority of professionals' might use an X99 motherboard, because that is what they already have.
Buying and building a system today? Not so much.

 

[g-unit1111]

The X99 is not obsolete. Obsolete means "no longer used or useful." The majority of professionals presently use some version of the X99 mobo.

Obsolete or not, there's no reason to consider it when there's newer platforms around. And without even considering the practical uses of this system, why would you even consider recommending it when Z370 exists?

 

[wetwonder]

USAFret,

You're still not responding to Potato's question, but rather using the thread to start an argument b/c you disagree with another person's response. If you're not going to reply with civility to the poster, than you should move on.

 

[wetwonder]

Gunit,

You said the x99 was obsolete. Now you say "obsolete or not," etc. I don't follow your point.

But that said, Potato didn't ask for the current state of the motherboard development. He asked for a system that could handle his "needs," while considering a budget. He has a problem, and asked for a solution.

I gave him a solution.

If you disagree with my recommendation, than why don't you offer up a recommendation using your knowledge and judgment, while you consider his needs and budget. That is why this thread is here. For pro-active solutions.

Begin -

Dave

 

[g-unit1111]

USAFret,

You're still not responding to Potato's question, but rather using the thread to start an argument b/c you disagree with another person's response. If you're not going to reply with civility to the poster, than you should move on.

Gunit,

You said the x99 was obsolete. Now you say "obsolete or not," etc. I don't follow your point.

But that said, Potato didn't ask for the current state of the motherboard development. He asked for a system that could handle his "needs," while considering a budget. He has a problem, and asked for a solution.

I gave him a solution.

If you disagree with my recommendation, than why don't you offer up a recommendation using your knowledge and judgment, while you consider his needs and budget. That is why this thread is here. For pro-active solutions.

Begin -

Dave

This is not, under any circumstances, a pro active solution. You are recommending used hardware on a dead platform that has no upgrade path and you will look at replacing that system in a year or two. The OP has a $1700 budget and we don't even know what the uses are as they were not specified, but we presume they were workstation related. You can most definitely buy new workstation hardware and still meet the budget. A real pro-active solution would be recommending a new system based on current data, like the Intel Z370 or X299 platforms, or AMD's Ryzen platform, as long as it meets but doesn't exceed the budget . But on $1700 it's not unreasonable to meet the budget even if recommending new hardware.Spending $1700 on a system is spending $1700 on a system. It is what it is. Recommending used and old hardware is not the way to go in this situation. I get wanting to save a few bucks, but you're recommending a used system on a dead platform. For what reason?

Also, telling a moderator to move on is not the way to earn points around here. And it is you, who are in fact, derailing the thread with outdated information.

If you want a solution, get this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i7-7800X 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($359.89 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Noctua - NH-U12S 55.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($57.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock - X299 Taichi ATX LGA2066 Motherboard ($199.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill - Trident Z RGB 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($319.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung - 960 EVO 250GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($127.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($41.77 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Zotac - GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6GB AMP! Edition Video Card ($269.99 @ B&H)
Case: Corsair - 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic - S12G 550W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($51.89 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft - Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($88.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1558.38
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-11-20 00:07 EST-0500

And that is $150 *UNDER* budget. With an OS license at that.

 

[Rogue Leader]

Gunit,

You said the x99 was obsolete. Now you say "obsolete or not," etc. I don't follow your point.

But that said, Potato didn't ask for the current state of the motherboard development. He asked for a system that could handle his "needs," while considering a budget. He has a problem, and asked for a solution.

I gave him a solution.

If you disagree with my recommendation, than why don't you offer up a recommendation using your knowledge and judgment, while you consider his needs and budget. That is why this thread is here. For pro-active solutions.

Begin -

Dave

Dave,

Referring to someone who posted here as "Potato" is a bit of an insult. If you're going to preach about arguing here then I suggest not insulting the person you are trying to help. (And yes I know what a Potato is in this context).

Secondly if you post a response to someone it may be criticized, it happens, its normal here. Without criticism we will never move forward and find the exact answer for someone. Needless to say getting angry at someone for criticizing your response is not "focusing" at all. Maybe practice what you preach.

Just my 2 cents....

 

[Saga Lout]

Did anyone notice the OP lives in Belgium and might prefer local prices in Euros?

 

[wetwonder]

Dave,

Referring to someone who posted here as "Potato" is a bit of an insult. If you're going to preach about arguing here then I suggest not insulting the person you are trying to help. (And yes I know what a Potato is in this context).

Ooops I thought his username was Potato. My mistake, apologies offered.

 

[wetwonder]

Gunit,

You said the x99 was obsolete. Now you say "obsolete or not," etc. I don't follow your point.

But that said, Potato didn't ask for the current state of the motherboard development. He asked for a system that could handle his "needs," while considering a budget. He has a problem, and asked for a solution.

I gave him a solution.

If you disagree with my recommendation, than why don't you offer up a recommendation using your knowledge and judgment, while you consider his needs and budget. That is why this thread is here. For pro-active solutions.

Begin -

Dave

Dave,

Referring to someone who posted here as "Potato" is a bit of an insult. If you're going to preach about arguing here then I suggest not insulting the person you are trying to help. (And yes I know what a Potato is in this context).

Secondly if you post a response to someone it may be criticized, it happens, its normal here. Without criticism we will never move forward and find the exact answer for someone. Needless to say getting angry at someone for criticizing your response is not "focusing" at all. Maybe practice what you preach.

Just my 2 cents....

I doubt I'm angry. But thanks for your input

 

[wetwonder]

USAFret,

You're still not responding to Potato's question, but rather using the thread to start an argument b/c you disagree with another person's response. If you're not going to reply with civility to the poster, than you should move on.

Gunit,

You said the x99 was obsolete. Now you say "obsolete or not," etc. I don't follow your point.

But that said, Potato didn't ask for the current state of the motherboard development. He asked for a system that could handle his "needs," while considering a budget. He has a problem, and asked for a solution.

I gave him a solution.

If you disagree with my recommendation, than why don't you offer up a recommendation using your knowledge and judgment, while you consider his needs and budget. That is why this thread is here. For pro-active solutions.

Begin -

Dave

This is not, under any circumstances, a pro active solution. You are recommending used hardware on a dead platform that has no upgrade path and you will look at replacing that system in a year or two. The OP has a $1700 budget and we don't even know what the uses are as they were not specified, but we presume they were workstation related. You can most definitely buy new workstation hardware and still meet the budget. A real pro-active solution would be recommending a new system based on current data, like the Intel Z370 or X299 platforms, or AMD's Ryzen platform, as long as it meets but doesn't exceed the budget . But on $1700 it's not unreasonable to meet the budget even if recommending new hardware.Spending $1700 on a system is spending $1700 on a system. It is what it is. Recommending used and old hardware is not the way to go in this situation. I get wanting to save a few bucks, but you're recommending a used system on a dead platform. For what reason?

Also, telling a moderator to move on is not the way to earn points around here. And it is you, who are in fact, derailing the thread with outdated information.

If you want a solution, get this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i7-7800X 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($359.89 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Noctua - NH-U12S 55.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($57.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock - X299 Taichi ATX LGA2066 Motherboard ($199.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill - Trident Z RGB 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($319.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung - 960 EVO 250GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($127.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($41.77 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Zotac - GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6GB AMP! Edition Video Card ($269.99 @ B&H)
Case: Corsair - 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic - S12G 550W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($51.89 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft - Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($88.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1558.38
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-11-20 00:07 EST-0500

And that is $150 *UNDER* budget. With an OS license at that.

There you go. Nice recommendation.

 

[Rogue Leader]

I doubt I'm angry. But thanks for your input

No, clearly you don't like your opinion criticized. I am guessing you are taking it personally because your recommendation is what you just built for yourself. While it works for you in performance and financially, it's not the answer to everyone's scenario. You're free to make whatever recommendations you'd like, but hijacking the thread to fight back against anyone whom thinks your idea is bad, and then coming back and accusing them of both the same and trying to be cheeky in telling them to focus, and otherwise acting like you're the beacon of proper etiquette is not good form.

Now I'm speaking as a moderator here, if you can't come here and try to get along with those whom disagree with you you will find yourself not being welcomed here anymore. You want to disagree, be my guest, but if you're going to antagonize those who disagree with you, you will not like the outcome. Now I suggest you move along.

 

[pieter.segaert]

If you want a solution, get this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i7-7800X 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($359.89 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Noctua - NH-U12S 55.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($57.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock - X299 Taichi ATX LGA2066 Motherboard ($199.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill - Trident Z RGB 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($319.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung - 960 EVO 250GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($127.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($41.77 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Zotac - GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6GB AMP! Edition Video Card ($269.99 @ B&H)
Case: Corsair - 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic - S12G 550W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($51.89 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft - Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($88.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1558.38
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-11-20 00:07 EST-0500

And that is $150 *UNDER* budget. With an OS license at that.

I have researched the parts in Belgium and particularly te motherboard memory and graphics card are clearly more expansive here. I would have to downsize the budget...

 

[pieter.segaert]

Did anyone notice the OP lives in Belgium and might prefer local prices in Euros?

That is indeed correct, although i am gratefull for the input, so I will go part hunting in euro's myself if that is easier for people.

 

[Saga Lout]

I always suspect US Dollars to imply prices in the States where they're hugely less expensive against, say England and again, different in the Flanderens.

You can, of course, still buy in Engand and have it shipped Customs free. It's cheaper here than in the Netherlands where I'm stunned by PC parts prices in Albert Hein.

Your choice - success.