Poootythang

Distinguished
Feb 24, 2011
3
0
18,510
Hi, I have about $2500 for a new home workstation + monitor.

I am building this for my cousin who majored in Architecture and now works in a designing firm. The software he mainly uses is AutoCAD, 3dmax (big renderings), and Solid Works.

So far i have only built gaming rigs, and this is my first time working on a workstation. So i am a little new in this area.

I have two builds that I would like you guys to constructively critique. If you can say why something isn't good or why something else would be better, that would be helpful.


(Budget) Workstation 1:
CPU: i7-2600k $330
Mobo: ASUS P8P67 about $160
RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 1333 (CAS7)(4 x 4GB) $210
GPU: Nvidia Quadro FX 580 $145
PSU: SeaSonic X650 $135
Boot Drive: OCZ Vertex 2 60GB $120
Storage Drive: Seagate Barracuda 1TB x2 $130
CPU Heat Sink: Prolimatech Megahalems $65
Case: NZXT Phantom $140
Total: a little over $1400



(under $2500) Workstation 2:
CPU: i7 970 $600
Mobo: ASUS Sabertooth X58 $200
RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws 1600 CAS7 (6x4GB) $450
GPU: Nvidia Quadro FX1800 $380
PSU: SeaSonic X650 $135
Boot Drive: OCZ Vertex 2 60GB $120
Storage Drive: Seagate Barracuda 1TB x2 $130
CPU Heat Sink: Prolimatech Megahalems $65
Case: NZXT Phantom $140
Total: a little over $2200



I choose the standard ATX size so that in the future I could easily upgrade the graphics by putting it in SLI. Do workstation GPUs benefit from SLI as well as gaming rigs do? If not, would it be better to just use micro ATX?

Thanks a lot.
 
Hello PT;
How is he set for monitors? Does he like like the multi-monitor setups?
Has he been able to give you any guidance if the NV Quadro or ATI FirePro work best for him? And what series works best with his software?

microATX or mid-tower ATX is a personal choice based on what space is available. No limitations (or personal style preferences)? ATX offers more future upgrade options since a case has no problem moving forward into a new build. Match CPU cooler to size of case as well.

I like the i7-2600k not only for it's current stellar performance but also because it can take the next gen Ivy Bridge CPUs. No expected upgrade path for the 1366 X-58 i7/i9s.

Maybe bump that SSD up to the 90/100/120GB version or what ever the budget can handle.
Also match the workstation graphics card to the budget and software.

Core i7 970 - 3.20GHz vs Core i7 2600K - 3.4GHz benchmarks