i7 5960x Number Crunching PC

guymarshall · May 13, 2015

I am thinking of building an immensely powerful number crunching PC with an i7 5960x. I was wondering, to keep the cost to a minimum, what graphics card, motherboard... etc should I get to make it watch videos in 1080p at the most, but a motherboard that will not stop the i7 from achieving it's potential?

Elemential · May 13, 2015

Do you need any peripherals, os, monitors?
There is no need for a i7-5960x for just 1080p videos.
A i3 or even a shitty pentium is enough

Saberus · May 13, 2015

You might want to explain number crunching, as all other criteria listed the i7 is a needless expense.

If you mean straight super-parallel math, you're better off getting a GPGPU.

guymarshall · May 13, 2015

Elemential :

What I meant by 1080p video is I won't be gaming on it, and so I only need a graphics card that can handle 1080p video at most, the CPU will be doing intensive tasks. I already have a mouse, keyboard, a monitor, and 14GB of spare RAM that I might use some of.

guymarshall · May 13, 2015

Saberus :

I mean using java programs that I make to calculate things like factorials, rendering 4K 1 hour long videos for my friends in as little time as possible, and whatever else I make it do!

Edit: When I said render 4k 1 hour long videos, I meant use handbrake to make the size as small as possible without losing quality.

Saberus · May 13, 2015

You'd still be wasting a lot of capacity on the i7, Java runs single threaded, you'd have cores sitting around doing nothing.

guymarshall · May 13, 2015

Saberus :

I have made programs in java with thread pools to take advantage of physical and virtual cores.

Eximo · May 13, 2015

i7-5960X uses DDR4 memory, so unless you just happen to have some spare sticks from extremely recent builds you will need to buy new memory.

To keep costs at a minimum you shouldn't be looking at that processor. If you really need it, just pick the cheapest X99 board to save on costs. 4x4GB memory kits are about the smallest they sell.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-5960X 3.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($995.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Directron)
Motherboard: ASRock X99 Extreme3 ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard ($164.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR4-2666 Memory ($169.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1360.96
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-13 17:16 EDT-0400

guymarshall · May 14, 2015

Eximo :

OK thanks for that, I forgot about it needing DDR4! Just saved me there! Will I need a graphics card or does the CPU/motherboard have integrated graphics?

jsgrant31 · May 14, 2015

You'll need a GPU; the 5960X doesn't have integrated graphics and it doesn't come with a cooler (Eximo accounted for this). Even if it did have integrated graphics, you'd want a standalone GPU as integrated graphics can adversely affect computational speed in very intensive calculations.

guymarshall · May 14, 2015

jsgrant31 :

OK, so would a GTX 750 Ti be good or will it be overkill? Maybe an Asus GT silent graphics card?

Eximo · May 14, 2015

I would go with that or the GTX750. Right now the most advanced lower budget cards. You get a lot of capabilities that older architectures don't have. GT730 and the like are just re-brands of older models. 750 and 750ti are the first generation Maxwell cards.

Search

i7 5960x Number Crunching PC

guymarshall

Honorable

Eximo

Elemential

Reputable

Saberus

Distinguished

guymarshall

Honorable

guymarshall

Honorable

Saberus

Distinguished

guymarshall

Honorable

Eximo

Titan

guymarshall

Honorable

jsgrant31

Honorable

guymarshall

Honorable

Eximo

Titan

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page