Best Build for Non Gaming Nvidia Geforce GTX 970 with Intel I5

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afelix808

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Oct 18, 2015
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Aloha All, I need to find the best computer build for an AR Sandbox Software. Link: AR Sandbox. So the developer of the software made his suggestions of at least a GTX 970 card, Intel I5 or higher. 2 GB Ram (I would prefer 4 GB), 20 GB HD.
"We recommend an Intel Core i5 or Core i7 CPU running at at least 3GHz (as of 10/2015), an Nvidia GeForce GTX 970 graphics card (as of 02/2015), and the current release of the 64-bit version of Linux Mint with Mate desktop (17.2 "Rafaela" as of 10/2015). The AR Sandbox requires that the vendor-supplied binary drivers for the graphics card be installed." - UC Davis Website
I don't quite understand the last sentence but hopefully one of you can shed some light. All I am looking for is a dedicated build which will support this program and any potential upgrades of the software. Mahalo (Thank you) for reading.
 
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DonkeyOatie

DonkeyOatie

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Sep 16, 2014
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Here's a start

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4590 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($191.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M-ITX/AC Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($66.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Team Dark 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($37.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial BX100 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($45.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB Video Card ($304.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Thermaltake Core V1 Mini ITX Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 520W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($41.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $809.71
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-10-19 15:23 EDT-0400

If you need keyboard, mouse or monitor, let us know. The motherboard also has WiFi and to load some software you will need an external Optical Disk Drive (DD) available for less than $25.


The builds here http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2625445/build-log-consolidated-middle-school-builds.html use some of those parts, including the case. For a more conventional case, I would recommend the Cooler Master N200, but the case I suggested is an easy build, cool, and every easy to work with.

I'm assuming that you will not need Windows.

As an Earth Science minor, that's cool stuff.
 
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afelix808

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Oct 18, 2015
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Thanks for the parts list. Also good to know about the 8 GB. I run the AR Sandbox from my laptop and it doesn't have the water simulation but it is very cool stuff. Hopefully with the water simulator we can describe water sheds, water runoff, and aquifers for here in Hawaii. You are correct, we wont be using Windows just Linux Mint. Thanks for quick response and I will hopefully get the funding to buy all those parts.
 
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DonkeyOatie

DonkeyOatie

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Do you understand 'why' those parts? There are different possibilities, but that's what I would do based on the information you gave me.

If Hyperthreading (two threads per core) would speed things up (that's what an i7 does) I would suggest the somewhat more expensive Intel Xeon 1231v3 CPU, it has four cores, four Hyperthreads, and 3.4 Ghz speed, and I use it on this computer for some advanced processing.

I suggest you read through my school threads to get an idea of what is involved.
 
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afelix808

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Unfortunately, I don't know the "why" those components, I assume it was just what he was familiar with and what worked. I have been going through your link trying to get a better understanding from your other builds. If you do recommend different parts please do, I would love to get the water simulator as smooth as possible. Like the developer I have basic knowledge of computers and working what I can from the instructions.
 
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DonkeyOatie

DonkeyOatie

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Sep 16, 2014
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Get away, yes, if you must. 120Gb is slower than 256 and if you put OS and applications on the SSD, you may also be able to run any 'scratch' files used in processing there also for a decent speed increase. Any SSD is better than none, just about. For efficient use of TRIM (garbage collection) a SSD needs to be at least 20% empty.

The HDD needs to be only as big as you want, but again, I'd want the faster 7,200 rpm drive, and at least 32Mb of cache. The savings may not be $50 in total, but sometimes every penny counts. I was not extravagant, but I could build cheaper if there was a budget you needed to hit.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($174.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M-ITX/AC Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($66.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Team Dark 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($37.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial BX100 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 250GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($19.95 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB Video Card ($304.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Thermaltake Core V1 Mini ITX Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 520W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($41.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $746.77
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-10-19 16:15 EDT-0400
 
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DonkeyOatie

DonkeyOatie

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Sep 16, 2014
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No. The parts I suggested where ones I am familiar with , but also good, budget ones, good enough.
 
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afelix808

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Oct 18, 2015
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This is great, If I can get it under $800 I am happy but if you do recommend a 250 SSD then I can use that. I don't really have a budget but this computer will only be used for this display and will be traveling to various islands for outreach programs. If I can get it running smooth for $750 then I am happy. If i need to spend $1200 then so be it. Thanks for all the updates and help as well. I am still reading about other various builds.
 
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DonkeyOatie

DonkeyOatie

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Sep 16, 2014
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That cube case can fit easily into a knapsack or similar, but there are smaller cases or flatter cases. you might want to think about that. The GPU selected is a 'blower' style; a little noisier, but will help suck hot air out of your case. I'd absolutely spend the $20 for a bigger SSD. In fact, I'd consider this.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($174.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M-ITX/AC Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($66.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Team Dark 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($37.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial BX100 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($159.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB Video Card ($304.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Thermaltake Core V1 Mini ITX Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 520W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($41.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $826.82
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-10-19 17:11 EDT-0400

A bit more expensive, but no moving parts in the Diskdrives :)

The Science Fair project system has no HDD at all and relies on a 500 Gb SSD. Like I mentioned before, I'd want to know if more threads can be handled by an i7? If so, the extra cost of this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($232.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M-ITX/AC Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($66.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Team Dark 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($37.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial BX100 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($159.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB Video Card ($304.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Thermaltake Core V1 Mini ITX Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 520W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($41.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $884.92
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-10-19 17:14 EDT-0400

Yes, I know, budget creep :)

I would talk to your software supplier and see what they recommend.

 
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