New Workstation build, needing feedback

[nickarch]

Here's what I have so far... going to be using it for architecture school. here goes:


Approximate Purchase Date: within the next month or so

Budget Range: $1500 cap

System Usage from Most to Least Important: AutoCAD, Revit, 3dsMAX, Rhino 3d, Sketchup, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign

Parts Not Required: Mouse, Keyboard, Monitor, Speakers

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg... but open to suggestions

Country of Origin: U.S.

Parts Preferences: Intel, nVidia

Overclocking: Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080 minimum

Additional Comments:

New build that I will be using for the next 3 years at least. Needs to be reliable so anything I can do to choose parts that work well together would be great.


Based on my research this system will work well, but like I said I'm looking for feedback so thoughts, comments, opinions? ::

CPU: Intel Core i7-2600K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115070

HEAT SINK: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

MOBO: ASRock Z68 Extreme4 LGA 1155

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157250

GPU: GIGABYTE GV-N570OC-13I GeForce GTX 570

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125365

RAM: CORSAIR Vengeance 16GB (4 x 4GB)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145347

PSU: COOLER MASTER Silent Pro M600 600W

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171036

CASE: Cooler Master Storm Scout

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119196

HDD: 2x SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 1TB

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

+thermal paste, extra case fan

TOTAL: $1449.87


Thanks for any help!!

 

[flong]

Wow you have made some great choices - I think you will be an excellent architect. I have some thoughts:

1. Make sure that CM Hyper 212 will fit over your Corsair RAM heat sinks since you are using 16 GB

2. You could save some money by going to an ATI 6950 but I am not sure for CAD work like yours if that is a good choice. I have heard that the GTX cards are better for CAD work but I have never owned one (I am a civil engineer). The GTX 570 is a very good card and you can't go wrong with it

3. You might consider as an option the Corsair 650 TX or 750 TX PSUs or if you want silver plus rated, the Corsair 750 HX. A 600 W PSU will run your system but it is nice to oversize you PSU some because PSUs in general run most efficiently at 50% capacity. Heck a 550 W PSU would probably run your system but a larger PSU will run more quietly, cooler and will be more efficient (save you money on your power bill ha, ha). These are all within $20 of the CM PSU in cost except the 750 HX which is $125 after rebates at Newegg right now (so it is $45 more)

There is a review of your unit here: http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story4&reid=134

They say the 600W CM is a great unit so you can't go wrong if you choose it.

 

[gkay09]

^ Nice parts,...
Some suggestions -

CASE - Check the newer ones with USB 3.0
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112322
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112319

PSU - Even this XFX is a good option -
XFX 650W - Cheaper and as good or better
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207007

CPU Cooler from amazon - Cheaper
http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Hyper-Sleeve-RR-B10-212P-G1/dp/B002G1YPH0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1306473877&sr=8-1

RAM - This is a very good deal -
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333
$40 off promo code EMCKEHD38, ends 6/1
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231312

 

[nickarch]

Thanks for the input, guys! I like the sounds of the HX750...bigger fan and a 7 year warranty have to mean something eh?

 

[gkay09]

^ If no SLI/ Crossfire, then no point going with a 750W PSU,...

 

[1foxracing]

Just curious why you picked a gaming GPU instead of a workstation unit?
You might be better off with something like a FirePro V5800
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814195097
I use the FirePro V9800 for running some of the similar programs but be prepared for some sticker shock...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814195102

 

[siyamand]

i have same question building a work satation pc...purpose is to work with softwares like( solid works, catia, and analysis programs like abaqus simulia and others) ....will this system also full fill my needs? i realy need help on this one....


thank you

 

[flong]

Just curious why you picked a gaming GPU instead of a workstation unit?
You might be better off with something like a FirePro V5800
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814195097
I use the FirePro V9800 for running some of the similar programs but be prepared for some sticker shock...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814195102

Out of curiosity, what is the advantage of the $2500 workstation GPU over say a GTX 580 or an ATI 690? Their are not many articles about them in the mainstream computer web pages.

Are these GPUs specifically designed to run with resource demanding software somewhat CUDA like?

 

[nickarch]

Autodesk products are specifically designed with nVidia in mind.. so I'm avoiding ATI stuff as I will be mostly working in 3ds max and CAD, with a little Rhino and Sketchup thrown in.

I don't feel that a quadro 2000 is worth the extra 100$ or so over a gtx570 (I know people that are currently using the previous gen gtx470s and are getting by just fine). I might be able to benefit from getting a quadro 4000 but that is over 300$ more... not justified in my mind considering the gtx has more shader cores, higher clock speeds etc.

As far as the PSU goes... 750 might be a bit much..but better safe than sorry?

 

[flong]

Autodesk products are specifically designed with nVidia in mind.. so I'm avoiding ATI stuff as I will be mostly working in 3ds max and CAD, with a little Rhino and Sketchup thrown in.

I don't feel that a quadro 2000 is worth the extra 100$ or so over a gtx570 (I know people that are currently using the previous gen gtx470s and are getting by just fine). I might be able to benefit from getting a quadro 4000 but that is over 300$ more... not justified in my mind considering the gtx has more shader cores, higher clock speeds etc.

As far as the PSU goes... 750 might be a bit much..but better safe than sorry?

Both the Corsair HX 750 and HX 850 go on sale frequently and actually are LESS than Silver and Gold 650 W PSUs. Two weeks ago, the HX 850 was $119.00 at Newegg after rebates which was a screaming deal. If you have time to watch for sales you can get them cheap.

A lot of people are specing their PSUs at 200 W over their needs but I don't do that personally because it can put you out of the most efficient range of the PSU which is usually %30 - 60% (on most PSUs the efficiency starts to drop at around 60% -70% capacity). I like to spec my PSUs at 50% more than what I need because it will always put my PSU at its highest efficiency and the units will run cooler and quieter. For my system, it will be always operating within the 30% - 50% capacity of the HX 850. That is my personal choice, some people disagree.

Keep in mind that the cost difference between the cheaper, less efficient bronze rated PSUs is rarely more than $40. The Corsair HX series has a seven year warranty, it is modular (it is much easier to build with modular cables), they are silver rated (the 850 has 91% efficiency at 30% - 50% capacity) and the customer service of Corsair is legendary.

For me it was a no-brainer and I went with the HX 850 and I am only going to run a single GPU (an ATI 6950). I am aware that a 650 PSU would carry the system but it would not be as efficient, as quiet and as cool. I only paid $144 for the HX 850 after rebates. Now you can get it cheaper. Actually the HX 850 will put out over a 1000W and remain stable and reasonably cool but its efficiency drops to 84%.

 

[luckycypher]

I'm building a computer for school. I'm more of a maya/zbrush user but I use the adobe creative suite heavily. I'm not much of a hardware guy so I did a google search for workstation builds, and I'm really glad I found this thread. I was debating whether to go with the gtx 570 or a workstation card. Our builds are almost exactly the same, same mobo, same gfx card, and processor, little differences between the memory, and heatsinks and whatnot but I'm not too worried about that. Glad I found that Lian Li Case though, looks promising. I'll have to wait another month before I can afford it but thanks anyways for the post and everyone else for the feedback. I'm excited and confident for my build now.

 

[flong]

I'm building a computer for school. I'm more of a maya/zbrush user but I use the adobe creative suite heavily. I'm not much of a hardware guy so I did a google search for workstation builds, and I'm really glad I found this thread. I was debating whether to go with the gtx 570 or a workstation card. Our builds are almost exactly the same, same mobo, same gfx card, and processor, little differences between the memory, and heatsinks and whatnot but I'm not too worried about that. Glad I found that Lian Li Case though, looks promising. I'll have to wait another month before I can afford it but thanks anyways for the post and everyone else for the feedback. I'm excited and confident for my build now.

I am not familiar with the workstation cards but on another thread someone who was recommended that the OP go with the GTX 580 in lieu of the workstation card which was about three times more expensive. The reasoning was that there was no real performance advantage for 3-4 time more money to use the workstation card.

Again, I am not familiar enough with the workstation cards to know but it was an interesting thread.

 

[nickarch]

Best answer selected by nickarch.