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Building first computer from scratch

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Hi everyone,

I am building myself a computer for the first time. I am looking to build a small workstation.
I will be doing heavy parallel computing on this machine and using a sophisticated visualization
software that take advantage of a good graphics card. On this machine, I will be using Fedora
18 as the OS.

I would like to make sure that I am making good choices. For example, I don't know if going
for a 32GB 1600 latency 11 RAM is better or 32GB 1333 latency 9 RAM. How do I know how
much power consumption to expect? Are there some better recommendations for my parts?
Am I missing any components that are crucial? Does the ASUS DVD drive support Linux? Is
there more to compatibility than what the motherboard and the attaching component
requires? All your advice will be appreciated (since I am a little apprehensive about the task).
Thank you!

My budget is $3,500. Listed below are the parts that I am considering that total about $3,400.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MOTHERBOARD:
ASUS Z9PA-D8 ATX Server Motherboard Dual LGA 2011 DDR3 1600/1333/1066
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPU (quantity = 2):
Intel Xeon E5-2630 Sandy Bridge-EP 2.3GHz (2.8GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 2011 95W Six-Core Server Processor BX80621E52630
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPU FAN AND HEATSINK (quantity = 2):
Noctua NH-D14 SE2011 140mm and 120mm SSO CPU Cooler
Item #: N82E16835608024
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MEMORY:
Kingston 32GB (4 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 ECC Registered Server Memory DR x4 1.35V Model KVR13LR9D4K4/32
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GRAPHICS CARD:
Galaxy 67NPH6DV6KXZ GeForce GTX 670 GC 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSD (for the OS):
OCZ Vector Series VTR1-25SAT3-256G 2.5" 256GB SATA III MLC
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HHD (quantity = 2):
Western Digital WD Black WD2002FAEX 2TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CD/DVD RW:
ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
POWER SUPPLY:
CORSAIR HX Series HX850 850W ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC ...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHASSIS:
COOLER MASTER HAF 932 Advanced RC-932-KKN5-GP Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case with USB 3.0, Black Interior and Four Fans-1x ...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

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They make graphics cards specifically for parallel computing. As I don't do it, I don't know much about them. I think you have to have special software to run them, however. See link: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Category/guided...

Here is a link to know how much power you need: http://www.thermaltake.outervision.com/

On ram latentcy: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CAS_latency

As for the DVD drive, I only use Ubuntu but everything seems to work well with it. I would assume that your DVD drive would work just fine. I think that there is probably a capability list somewhere.

Quote:

CPU FAN AND HEATSINK (quantity = 2):
Noctua NH-D14 SE2011 140mm and 120mm SSO CPU Cooler
Item #: N82E16835608024
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835608024


Dual D14s won't fit on a server motherboard with two CPUs - if you want something above the stock cooler you'll need to go with a full liquid loop. The Xeon E5 can't be overclocked so a D14 isn't really necessary.

Quote:
I would like to make sure that I am making good choices. For example, I don't know if going
for a 32GB 1600 latency 11 RAM is better or 32GB 1333 latency 9 RAM. How do I know how
much power consumption to expect?


You can plug the parts into PC Part Picker and it will give you an estimated wattage.
Related ressources
Ask the community

Yes, they won't. If I get water cooling, will I have to purchase 2 cooling systems for 2 CPUs?

g-unit1111 said:
Quote:

CPU FAN AND HEATSINK (quantity = 2):
Noctua NH-D14 SE2011 140mm and 120mm SSO CPU Cooler
Item #: N82E16835608024
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835608024


Dual D14s won't fit on a server motherboard with two CPUs - if you want something above the stock cooler you'll need to go with a full liquid loop. The Xeon E5 can't be overclocked so a D14 isn't really necessary.

Quote:
I would like to make sure that I am making good choices. For example, I don't know if going
for a 32GB 1600 latency 11 RAM is better or 32GB 1333 latency 9 RAM. How do I know how
much power consumption to expect?


You can plug the parts into PC Part Picker and it will give you an estimated wattage.


I just started assembling only to realize the fans are too big. I'm having a lot of trouble looking for fans that will fit. I might have to switch to water cooling. I'm not sure how water cooling works and if I would need two cooling systems or if i can expand one water cooling system for the 2 CPUs.

sensij said:
Did you build this system? I'm interested in using the same motherboard, wondering what you decided on for CPU coolers and RAM.


I think I might just order these. Thanks for the tip. I'll let you know how it goes!

sensij said:

You might want to look at Dynatron R17's. That is what I was planning to put onto this board, although I haven't done it and can't tell you for sure that it will work.



The fans worked! I have a nice new working computer.

Note that the space where the ram chips and fans go is super tight = exhaust from fans pour onto ram
on one side.

g-unit1111 said:
Quote:

CPU FAN AND HEATSINK (quantity = 2):
Noctua NH-D14 SE2011 140mm and 120mm SSO CPU Cooler
Item #: N82E16835608024
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835608024


Dual D14s won't fit on a server motherboard with two CPUs - if you want something above the stock cooler you'll need to go with a full liquid loop. The Xeon E5 can't be overclocked so a D14 isn't really necessary.

Quote:
I would like to make sure that I am making good choices. For example, I don't know if going
for a 32GB 1600 latency 11 RAM is better or 32GB 1333 latency 9 RAM. How do I know how
much power consumption to expect?


You can plug the parts into PC Part Picker and it will give you an estimated wattage.


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