Workstation build 1000-1500$

[evee]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Within the next 2 weeks.

BUDGET RANGE: $1000-$1500usd

SYSTEM USAGE : Programming, multiple vmware unix boxes, music editing,

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, monitor, case, hard drives, optical

PREFERRED WEBSITES FOR PARTS: newegg, tigerdirect

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No, just a single nvidia card

PARTS PREFERENCES: Motherboard - ASUS or INTEL, Processor - Intel I7 or I5, recommendation for a sound card possibly with midi i/o.

INFO: I am a computer scientist and work with a.i., evolutionary computation and robotics so I run lots of simultaneous simulations as well and vmware boxes running various unix os's. I need a solid workstation. My previous build was for gaming and work, this will just be for work.

IRRELEVANT BACKGROUND STORY: My previous build was seized by the police during an investigation of my roomate for ID theft. I am not related and not a suspect, but they won't release it and I am starting school again so I need a computer. This has been an irritating year. My suit-mate was also busted for drug trafficking marijuana and cocaine so I had drug dogs all over the place. It was a long semester.

PREVIOUS BUILD: Asus P5N-T Deluxe mobo, some core 2 quad 2.66ghz proc., 8gb ocz sli ram, 2x geforce 9800s, case was the thermaltake mozart tx, power supplies 1000w silverstone strider and a 320w thermaltake.

Thanks in advance to all.

 

[banthracis]

Do you know what CUDA is?
Any software you use benefit from it?

i7 + CUDA build

CPU/MOBO
i7-930 and Ga x58 ud3r $474
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.437357

RAM
G Skill Pi ddr3 1600 CAs 7 $170
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231335&cm_re=pi_6gb-_-20-231-335-_-Product

OPtical/GPU
GTX 470 and Asus $316 w/ $20 MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.430596

Spinpoint F3 1Tb $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

OS
win 7 Pro 64 bit $30 from student offer
http://www.microsoft.com/student/en/us/windows/buynow/default.aspx

Case/PSU
There's actually a very good deal right now with an Element G case and Toughpower 775w. $225 w/ $55 MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.451728

Alternatives are HAF 922 for case, and Corsair 750tx or XFX 750 BE for PSU.

Total: $1290 before shipping and $75 in rebates

You can also consider a quadro FX1800 $400
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133272&cm_re=quadro_fx-_-14-133-272-_-Product

However, I'm not convinced that it's worth it over a GTX 470. Better and much more optimized drivers, but much less raw processing power too.

edit: Fixed RAM kit

 

[evee]

CUDA architecture looks awesome, thanks for tipping me off on that. I had never heard about it before.

Also, any suggestions if I want to stick with an asus motherboard?

 

[banthracis]

Asus p6x58d-e. Also combo's w/ i7-930 on newegg. However, it's a lot more expensive for no real difference.

 

[evee]

I would also bump down the graphics card and get more RAM, what is the next step down in graphics cards that will hit 150-200$, Thanks.

 

[banthracis]

Cheapest Fermi is $200 GTX 460. Major loss in CUDA cores though.

 

[evee]

ASUS P6X58D-E LGA 1366 Intel X58
ASUS P6X58D Premium LGA 1366 Intel X58

I can get either of these two boards for just as cheap as the gigabyte board from work. If you had to pick from the one you recommended and these two what would you get?

 

[evee]

Best answer selected by evee.

 

[evee]

Did anybody have a suggestion about the motherboard question right up there ^^^

 

[banthracis]

technically the p6x59d premium has the most features, so i guess if they're all same price, get that one. Not worth paying a penny over the D-E though.