Full System for Gaming / ANSYS Number Crunching (1700$)

Mofasa

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Jun 20, 2015
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Dear everyone,

I am moving to Canada from Egypt where I will be doing my Masters in Civil Engineering. Of course I will need a PC to do my thesis and for general studies. I will be performing analysis using the software ANSYS which does number crunching. (http://www.ansys.com/Support/Platform+Support). I will also be using the PC for light gaming in my free time such as Dota 2, BF4, Counter strike, wild star etc. Nothing extreme. The build will include all peripherals except the headphones which I already have. My father is already in Canada so if there is anything on sale now he can start ordering these parts otherwise I can wait until the first week of September at which I will be in Canada (maybe there are upcoming sales then ill order the parts when I arrive better)

Approximate Purchase Date: I can start ordering from now till first week of september

Budget Range: 2200 Canadian Dollars = 1700 USD before taxes

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Research work as ANSYS Analysis (Number crunching), gaming, everyday use

Are you buying a monitor: Yes

Parts to Upgrade: Everything

Do you need to buy OS: Yes

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Not sure what are the preferred sites in Canada. I will be located in London, Ontario

Location: London, Ontario, Canada

Parts Preferences: Ive always preferred Intel for no particular reason

Overclocking: Yes, small overclock (stable) (nothing crazy)

SLI or Crossfire: Very very unlikely, maybe in the far future.

Your Monitor Resolution: I'd love to try 1440p but if it will affect the quality of my parts id rather stick with 1080p.

Additional Comments: For number crunching I think I will need 16GB of RAM, Also I would like a 250GB SSD. Other than that I'm not really picky. Whatever suits my budget!

Thanks in advance! Your experience is much appreciated

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: (e.g. I'm having trouble running game X or my PSU broke)
 
Solution
i7 5820k performance is actually almost equal in gaming. i'm running pretty similar build :

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-5820K 3.3GHz 6-Core Processor ($481.28 @ DirectCanada)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D15 82.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($108.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Motherboard: MSI X99S SLI Plus ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard ($254.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Memory: Crucial 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($131.75 @ Vuugo)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($128.75 @ shopRBC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.74 @ DirectCanada)
Video...

KKAW

Admirable


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($359.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Nepton 120XL 76.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($82.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z170 Pro4 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($117.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws 4 series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($97.89 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($71.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 390 8GB Double Dissipation Black Edition Video Card ($354.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R5 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($94.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA GS 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM (64-bit) ($91.75 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Asus VG248QE 144Hz 24.0" Monitor ($249.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1712.44
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-08-12 11:54 EDT-0400

Your build seems like it needs to be equally focused to computing performance as well as the graphics performance.

This build would be exactly what i would get if i wanted a good overclocking experience, great quality for excellent prices and top of the line computing and graphics.

If you have any questions on my choices please do ask.
 

Xemko

Admirable
Gaming/Working -
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1241 V3 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($339.99 @ Amazon Canada)
CPU Cooler: be quiet! PURE ROCK 51.4 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($40.72 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 PRO4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($103.50 @ Vuugo)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($109.48 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($128.75 @ shopRBC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.74 @ DirectCanada)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card ($417.50 @ Vuugo)
Case: Corsair 400R ATX Mid Tower Case ($104.98 @ DirectCanada)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA GS 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($98.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($14.88 @ Canada Computers)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 OEM (64-bit) ($109.99 @ Memory Express)
Wireless Network Adapter: Asus PCE-N53 802.11a/b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($28.99 @ NCIX)
Monitor: Asus PB278Q 60Hz 27.0" Monitor ($549.99 @ Memory Express)
Keyboard: Cooler Master CM Storm Devastator Gaming Bundle Wired Gaming Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($25.99 @ NCIX)
Total: $2133.49
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-08-12 12:26 EDT-0400

or

Working/Gaming -
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-5820K 3.3GHz 6-Core Processor ($481.28 @ DirectCanada)
CPU Cooler: be quiet! PURE ROCK 51.4 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($40.72 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: MSI X99S SLI Plus ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard ($254.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Memory: Crucial 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($131.75 @ Vuugo)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($128.75 @ shopRBC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.74 @ DirectCanada)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($159.00 @ NCIX)
Case: Corsair 400R ATX Mid Tower Case ($104.98 @ DirectCanada)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA GS 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($98.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($14.88 @ Canada Computers)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 OEM (64-bit) ($109.99 @ Memory Express)
Wireless Network Adapter: Asus PCE-N53 802.11a/b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($28.99 @ NCIX)
Monitor: Asus PB278Q 60Hz 27.0" Monitor ($549.99 @ Memory Express)
Keyboard: Cooler Master CM Storm Devastator Gaming Bundle Wired Gaming Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($25.99 @ NCIX)
Total: $2190.03
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-08-12 12:10 EDT-0400
 

jtabb1256

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Jan 4, 2014
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Mofasa

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Jun 20, 2015
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I'm not particulary sure, but I think for masters level the level of crunching would not require a dedicated workstation class card? This is why I needed some experience on this topic, wont the 970 be enough since the number crunching is nothing major just master's level runs?

EDIT: as stated by someone previously, the number of cores affects it majorly not the graphics card. So I guess I will be going with the gaming card (GTX 970 should be enough)

 

Mofasa

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Jun 20, 2015
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Why would I need this crazy expensive monitor? My ANSYS Runs don't include any 3D modelling!
 

Mofasa

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Jun 20, 2015
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Could you provide a build for that processor and a suitable motherboard? sorry if I am asking for too much..

I always have a problem with comparing people's build as I always get many answers with different processors etc.

 

Mofasa

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Jun 20, 2015
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So everyone from what I deduced is that I will need a i7 6700K build, with a gtx 970 (anything over would be an overkill).
One reply suggested an Intel Xeon E5? Not sure if the price difference is worth getting that? How does it perform in gaming?
 

Xemko

Admirable
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($459.99 @ Memory Express)
CPU Cooler: be quiet! PURE ROCK 51.4 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($40.72 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: Asus Z170-A ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($210.89 @ DirectCanada)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws 4 series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($151.34 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($128.75 @ shopRBC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.74 @ DirectCanada)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card ($417.50 @ Vuugo)
Case: Corsair 400R ATX Mid Tower Case ($104.98 @ DirectCanada)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA GS 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($98.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($14.88 @ Canada Computers)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 OEM (64-bit) ($109.99 @ Memory Express)
Wireless Network Adapter: Asus PCE-N53 802.11a/b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($28.99 @ NCIX)
Monitor: Asus VN248H-P 23.8" Monitor ($214.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Keyboard: Cooler Master CM Storm Devastator Gaming Bundle Wired Gaming Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($25.99 @ NCIX)
Total: $2067.74
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-08-12 13:19 EDT-0400

1080p / 60hz IPS Monitor.
 

Mofasa

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Jun 20, 2015
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Do you think the i7 5820K would be better than the i7 6700K? I know it has 6 cores which I think will be enough

 

Mofasa

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Jun 20, 2015
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I have just contacted a few friends that have completed their masters and I have been told that 6 cores will do the job! I will be going for the i7-5820K because its performance is actually close in gaming to the i7 6700K. Correct me if I'm wrong. Can anyone suggest me builds for the i7 5820K?

Thanks in advance and correct me if I am wrong!
 

Xemko

Admirable
i7 5820k performance is actually almost equal in gaming. i'm running pretty similar build :

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-5820K 3.3GHz 6-Core Processor ($481.28 @ DirectCanada)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D15 82.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($108.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Motherboard: MSI X99S SLI Plus ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard ($254.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Memory: Crucial 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($131.75 @ Vuugo)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($128.75 @ shopRBC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.74 @ DirectCanada)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card ($417.50 @ Vuugo)
Case: Corsair 400R ATX Mid Tower Case ($104.98 @ DirectCanada)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA G2 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($120.11 @ DirectCanada)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($14.88 @ Canada Computers)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 OEM (64-bit) ($109.99 @ Memory Express)
Wireless Network Adapter: Asus PCE-N53 802.11a/b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($28.99 @ NCIX)
Monitor: Asus VN248H-P 23.8" Monitor ($214.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Keyboard: Cooler Master CM Storm Devastator Gaming Bundle Wired Gaming Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($25.99 @ NCIX)
Total: $2202.91
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-08-13 00:35 EDT-0400
 
Solution

Mofasa

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Jun 20, 2015
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I like it, just a few final questions.

Why the 4 stick RAM? Should I go with 2x8?
And is there any reason you went with the ASUS gtx970? Why not the EVGA?
 

Xemko

Admirable
4 sticks for quad-channel mode (X99 supports dual and quad channel modes), it would be beneficial for your work (theoretically).
As for GPU, i picked it cause it was cheaper than MSI and Gigabyte. EVGA has very solid 970s, i'm just not familiar with it. At the end it's come to personal preference. Pick whatever you like more. This EVGA looks solid with great price.
Personally i use Gigabyte G1 Gaming (slightly higher factory overclock, better cooling), but it is sligthly pricier.
See - http://www.overclock.net/t/1516121/gtx-970-comparison-strix-vs-msi-gaming-vs-gigabyte-g1 .