RIG for number crunching and multiple VM's

saviour108 · Jun 2, 2014

Hi Guys,

Planning on building a RIG this month.

Wondering what CPU to get. I will mainly be doing lots of number crunching, running multiple instances of VM's and will be left on most of the time. Probably will not be overclocking since the comp will be on pretty much always.

Thinking if I should go with the 1150 or 2011 socket.

The 2011 socket supports the 4930k CPU which has 6 cores which is nice but quite expensive. I am also hearing that the Haswell E chips are coming out offering 8 cores..

I really need to build the rig this month and can't wait. So, I am hoping to future proof the build atleast for a few years.

What do you guys suggest. Go with the 1150 or 2011 socket.

If you can suggest a build parts list which is awesome for number crunching and running multiple VM's..it will be very much appreciated.

Thankyou in advance.

Regards

unknownofprob · Jun 2, 2014

if you find the i7 4930k expensive, then the next gen (8-core?) CPU's will be even more. I own a i7 4930k, and for your work, I highly recommend it. The 6 cores and 12 threads, does have a huge processing capability, With my heavy 3D/2D/rendering and programming (I use multiple programs at once (4+)), the usage is around 80%, thinking about the work it is doing, it does an amazing job and never could be happier, highly recommend it.

LGA 2011 has more memory lanes which can support multiple GPU's much better and Offer the 6-core CPU's up to the Xeons 12 core CPU's, the LGA 1150 only can support 4 cores, which you may find not enough.

babernet_1 · Jun 2, 2014

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4930K 3.4GHz 6-Core Processor ($578.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U14S 55.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus P9X79 LE ATX LGA2011 Motherboard ($229.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Mushkin Essentials 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($322.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($89.99 @ B&H)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($105.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 280X 3GB Vapor-X Video Card ($352.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill THOR V2 ATX Full Tower Case ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($134.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $2140.84
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-06-02 03:45 EDT-0400)

saviour108 · Jun 2, 2014

Thankyou unknownof prob and babernet for your input.

Yes, I agree and am leaning towards the 4930K as it will be more useful for my work. I have been doing some reading and a lot of users are saying their 2011 socket mobo's need to be bios updated to support the 4930K.

Can you please give me some mobo names which don't require a flash update. I was looking at Gigabyte X79-UP4 or AsRock Extreme 6.

For CPU cooling I was looking at Noctua NH-D14.

Thankyou again.

unknownofprob · Jun 3, 2014

saviour108 :

Look at my sig in bottom right of my post. I have both the X79-UP4 and Noctua, both are great choices, no bios update needed and has never failed me once. With the noctua, I have my 4930k @ 4.9GHz stable and temps never go above 75 degrees, though you aren't OC'ing, it is a great cooler.

I have the SE2011 NH-D14 which is what you want for the LGA 2011 socket.

RobCrezz · Jun 3, 2014

Worth looking at the new D15, slightly improved over the older D14.

saviour108 · Jun 4, 2014

Thanks guys for the response. Will definately consider Noctua NH-D15.

The setup is going to be running almost 24x7 and don't think I will bother OC'ing. It is going to be pretty much on full load. Just thinking how big a PSU I will need.

Will a 500-600W PSU suffice from Thermaltake/Antec/Corsair?

Also, I going to include 4x4G 2133Mhz from G.Skill. I wanted 32Gb but it is a too pricey.

Thankyou

unknownofprob · Jun 4, 2014

Antec and Corsair is preferable, not thermaltake. Depending on the rest of your rig, 500-600W should be enough, what is your considered setup?

bicycle_repair_man · Jun 4, 2014

Don't bother with an Intel "k" series. For what you want and the price premium you pay, it isn't worth it.

Virtualisation will benefit more from a multi-threaded processsor. In virtualisation, threads are treated as physical processors, so a Core i7 with eight threads could theoretically allow up to seven VMs (you obviously need to keep at least one resource reserved for the host).

Rather than an i7, why not consider a Xeon? It has the same number of threads and usually costs quite a bit less.

As far as memory goes, what VMs do you want to run? Linux, Windows (client or server) or something else? Think about what applications will be running and how resource-hungry they are, particularly if they're running all day, every day. I'd say 16GB should be a starting point, but it depends on what you need to do.

Your primary focus should be on processor threading, memory and disk speed/capacity.

unknownofprob · Jun 4, 2014

good suggestion, Xeon's are good also. Xeon's are meant for server systems, and depending on what else the OP is doing besides number crunching and VM's, the i7 would tend to do better.

RobCrezz · Jun 4, 2014

unknownofprob :

FYI - not all xeons are meant for servers, quite a few are for workstations.

unknownofprob · Jun 4, 2014

EDIT, Predominantly, not just meant.

saviour108 · Jun 5, 2014

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the responses.

Here is my build list so far...

i7-4930K
Gigabyte X79-UP4 (or) Asus P9X79-LE
G.Skill RipJaws 4x4G @ 2133MHz
Samsung 840 Pro 256G SATA3
Seagate SATA3 2TB
Noctua NH-D14 (or) Noctua NH-D15
2G GTX 750 Gigabyte (or) 2G GTX 750 T1 Gainward
Samsung DVD Writer
Antec True Power 80+ Gold 650 ----------------------------------(please advise if this is enough power?)

CPU will be under full load and running 24x7.

I will probably have 3 or 4 VM's mainly Windows 7, Centos and want to try Windows 8 Server also. I will be dedicating atleast 2 threads to each VM.

However, the main number crunching application will be running off the base operation system itself.

To >Bi-cycle repair man,
I did consider Xeon's but haven't really looked into it since I expected it to be way too expensive. The E3's seem to be quad core and they are cheaper...are you saying I can get a 6 core xeon for cheaper than 4930K?

Please let me know, I will look into it.

Open for suggestions while I am finalising my list.

Thankyou guys

babernet_1 · Jun 5, 2014

You can overclock that 4930K and get some nasty performance. With the top quality Noctua coolers the CPU will run cool. A real winner.

RobCrezz · Jun 5, 2014

saviour108 :

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the responses.

Here is my build list so far...

i7-4930K
Gigabyte X79-UP4 (or) Asus P9X79-LE
G.Skill RipJaws 4x4G @ 2133MHz
Samsung 840 Pro 256G SATA3
Seagate SATA3 2TB
Noctua NH-D14 (or) Noctua NH-D15
2G GTX 750 Gigabyte (or) 2G GTX 750 T1 Gainward
Samsung DVD Writer
Antec True Power 80+ Gold 650 ----------------------------------(please advise if this is enough power?)

CPU will be under full load and running 24x7.

I will probably have 3 or 4 VM's mainly Windows 7, Centos and want to try Windows 8 Server also. I will be dedicating atleast 2 threads to each VM.

However, the main number crunching application will be running off the base operation system itself.

To >Bi-cycle repair man,
I did consider Xeon's but haven't really looked into it since I expected it to be way too expensive. The E3's seem to be quad core and they are cheaper...are you saying I can get a 6 core xeon for cheaper than 4930K?

Please let me know, I will look into it.

Open for suggestions while I am finalising my list.

Thankyou guys

That spec will do that job no problem.

I assume you mean Windows server 2012 R2 (the latest version), there is no windows 8 server.

bicycle_repair_man · Jun 5, 2014

That spec looks good to me.

The only Xeon that comes to mind is the E5-2620 V2, but it only has a 2.1Ghz clock speed. The TDP is substantially lower, which works in its favour if you're running this build 24/7. Whichever one you go for depends on which you value higher; power or cost.

unknownofprob · Jun 5, 2014

saviour108 :

That rig has similarities with mine, great choice. Both GTX 750's will do the job and are good choices.

Power supply is easily enough, 80+ GOLD certification, that is something quality you have there.

saviour108 · Jun 12, 2014

Thanks guys,

RobCrezz, yes I meant Windows Server 2012 R2.

bicycle_repair_man, I've decided to use the 4930K

unknownofprob, yes we do have a few similarities

Thanks for all your help.

One thing I noticed is that the specs for the 4930K say that it can support DDR3 upto only 1866Mhz but I have seen some users in the other forums using 2133Mhz RAM with the 4930K in their build spec.

Can someone clarify please?

Also, I live in Australia. Just wondering if it is worth getting some of the stuff from Amazon US. All the parts are cheaper there but probably might not be worth once the tax and import duty is applied

Thanks

RobCrezz · Jun 12, 2014

saviour108 :

Yes you can use faster ram, as your effectively overclocking the memory controller on the cpu

unknownofprob · Jun 12, 2014

I live in Australia and Buy everything from here;
http://www.msy.com.au/wa/balcatta/

Great store.

As for ram, I have tested multiple speeds on my 4930k as of your query, it is supported (2133Mhz)

RIG for number crunching and multiple VM's

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