Suggestions for a new build

[lxgliu]

I'd like to build a new system for running scientific computation. My budget is $1000-1200. I'm thinking of getting a 8700k based system. I know the basics of putting together a computer, but I'm not very up to date regarding the various components. I built a few systems before using http://www.logicalincrements.com's recommendations, but I'd like to know if there are better choices in terms of performance and price.

Here is one example from http://www.logicalincrements.com/.

• 
  GTX 1080 $470 (will replace with a lower-end card)
  i7 8700K $370
  NH-U12S $58
  MSI Z370 Gaming Pro $160 (is there a better choice for computation?)
  8GB DDR4 $70 (will upgrade to 16GB or 32GB)
  1TB $38
  256 GB $58
  EVGA 750G3 $97
  Rosewill Thor V.. $100

I will be running RHEL on this machine.

Any feedback or suggestions are welcome. Thanks!

 

[julienruc]

I would suggest going for an AMD Ryzen CPU instead of Intel. Ryzen offers a much more superior multi-threaded performance compared to intel, which is what all desktop applications thrive on. You will get an improved performance as well as shorter rendering times whilst using your applications and software.

Please advise me on the programs you will be running on this PC, and if it's necessary for you to output in 4k resolution as this will determine the price of your graphics card.

In the meantime, please consider the build below (will make adjustments according to your answer):
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 7 2700X 3.7GHz 8-Core Processor ($299.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI - B450 TOMAHAWK ATX AM4 Motherboard ($89.89 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($134.99 @ Newegg Business)
Storage: Samsung - 860 Evo 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($87.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate - Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($58.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: PNY - Quadro K620 2GB Video Card ($159.99 @ Dell)
Case: Rosewill - THOR V2 ATX Full Tower Case ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic - FOCUS Plus Gold 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($71.11 @ Amazon)
Total: $1022.84
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-10-05 02:16 EDT-0400

If you're using this for scientific computing, you will have much better results using an NVIDIA Quadro GPU as they're optimized for workstations. You definitely do not need a GTX 1080.

CPU also comes with an included cooler that is much more than capable of handling most software-related tasks.

I would encourage you to go for 16Gb of RAM in order to perform several tasks at once, which I am sure you will. 8Gb won't cut it as you'll probably end up buying 1x8Gb of RAM stick if you're planning on upgrading to 32Gb in the long run. I'd recommend always purchasing RAM sticks in pairs (Dual Channel) so not simply 2 of the same stick, it needs to be a box with 2 sticks inside.

 

[lxgliu]

Thanks a lot for your suggestions. My computation need is primarily running circuit simulations (Cadence Virtuoso, Keysight ADS, etc) and electromagnetic simulations (Ansys HFSS, a finite element solver). Both types of simulations are particularly efficient for multi-threading, so single core performance is very important. Having more cores is also nice because it allows me to run multiple simulations at the same time.

I initially liked the 8700K because I read a review here (https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/intel-coffee-lake-i7-8700k-cpu,5252-11.html) that compares it favorably with other CPUs including some Ryzens (but not the 2700x). That said, I'm totally open to an AMD build.

So I did a quick search to compare the 8700K and 2700x. See this review for example, http://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Intel-Core-i7-8700K-vs-AMD-Ryzen-7-2700X/3937vs3958. It still seems that the 8700K is faster than the 2700x in single core performance.

Display is not an issue for my applications. I will simply get the cheapest graphics card compatible with RHEL.

Thanks again for the answer. Any further feedback is greatly appreciated.

Best
Leo

I would suggest going for an AMD Ryzen CPU instead of Intel. Ryzen offers a much more superior multi-threaded performance compared to intel, which is what all desktop applications thrive on. You will get an improved performance as well as shorter rendering times whilst using your applications and software.

Please advise me on the programs you will be running on this PC, and if it's necessary for you to output in 4k resolution as this will determine the price of your graphics card.

In the meantime, please consider the build below (will make adjustments according to your answer):
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 7 2700X 3.7GHz 8-Core Processor ($299.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI - B450 TOMAHAWK ATX AM4 Motherboard ($89.89 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($134.99 @ Newegg Business)
Storage: Samsung - 860 Evo 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($87.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate - Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($58.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: PNY - Quadro K620 2GB Video Card ($159.99 @ Dell)
Case: Rosewill - THOR V2 ATX Full Tower Case ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic - FOCUS Plus Gold 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($71.11 @ Amazon)
Total: $1022.84
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-10-05 02:16 EDT-0400

If you're using this for scientific computing, you will have much better results using an NVIDIA Quadro GPU as they're optimized for workstations. You definitely do not need a GTX 1080.

CPU also comes with an included cooler that is much more than capable of handling most software-related tasks.

I would encourage you to go for 16Gb of RAM in order to perform several tasks at once, which I am sure you will. 8Gb won't cut it as you'll probably end up buying 1x8Gb of RAM stick if you're planning on upgrading to 32Gb in the long run. I'd recommend always purchasing RAM sticks in pairs (Dual Channel) so not simply 2 of the same stick, it needs to be a box with 2 sticks inside.

 

[julienruc]

Indeed, Intel CPUs definitely provide without a doubt a superior single-threaded performance. They are known for this and are also the reason why most gamers tend to prefer them.

If this is what you're looking for, than the i7-8700k is definitely a good choice.

As for your question regarding the motherboard, it all comes down to whether you plan to overclock this CPU or not. If yes, the one you picked is more than suitable for the job.

 

[lxgliu]

Thanks for the feedback!

Best
Leo

Indeed, Intel CPUs definitely provide without a doubt a superior single-threaded performance. They are known for this and are also the reason why most gamers tend to prefer them.

If this is what you're looking for, than the i7-8700k is definitely a good choice.

As for your question regarding the motherboard, it all comes down to whether you plan to overclock this CPU or not. If yes, the one you picked is more than suitable for the job.

 

[julienruc]

My pleasure, happy building