discussion [EDITED] Cheap Workstation Build? (Added a RIG)

[ziikutv]

Hello,

I've decided to build a workstation, mainly for the purposes of video editing, cinematography (meaning, Autodesk and Adobe products are a must!). Most workstations build have most importantly, good cpus (xeon?), Graphic cards, and RAM. If you want to look at some workstations, check out HP Z800.

My budget is 15,000 max but want to go around $1100-1200. I made a post here before about a build project that I scrapped. Most of the requirements and info you guys would need is same so here is a copy/paste.

EDIT: I do not have to use a Xeon CPU nor does it even has to be called a Workstation. I added a list of parts I picked out, let me me know how I can improve this.

Build I

• Corsair PSU 650W | $99.99
• Intel Core-i7 2600 Sandy Bridge | $299.99
• Raven PC Case | $169.99
• EVGA Superclocked GTX460 | $149.99
• G.Skill RAM 8GB | $57.49
• ASUS Maximus IV Extreme
• Wildfire SSD (to take advantage of the caching on the mobo)

Total : $1342.43
Total + Tax/Shipping : ~ $1500


EDIT 2: Added a second build, took some of your recommendations. Can you guys help me ensure the ram etc will work together? Is 430W Power Supply (< 6Months old) enough for this build?). Also SSD will probably be used to install OSes (but is that safe, coz SSDs can fail) or softwares. Suggest a better use?

Build II: Modified

• Intel Core-i7 2600 Sandy Bridge | $299.99
• Raven PC Case | $169.99
• EVGA GTX560 | $249.99
• G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB | $57.49
• GIGABYTE GA-H67A-UD3H-B3 LGA 1155 Intel H67 | $139.99
• Kingston SSD | $124.99

Total : $1092.44



Purpose of the build (Budget: $1000-1200 CAD)
Highest to lowest priority

• Filmmaking
• Ruby on Rails Programming (need Linux or Mac Osx for this)
• Designing (Web development and 3d meaning Maya, Photoshop, Zbrush; will use windows for this)
• Reading and Writing ( I do a lot of reading and writing pdfs and docs what not; I want to use OSx for this)
• Gaming (The goal is to play everything on highest, not a must though!)
• Media Center (Netflix, Hulu, Youtube and the world wide web unk

Thank you

 

[EmptyMellon]

Intel LGA 1155 Build

Is that suppose to be $15,000 or $1,500 max budget, since you then specify a range of (1,000 -1,200). If you want a Xeon CAD workstation then cheap is not in the vocabulary

Anyway, here are my suggestions:

CPU: Newegg.ca - Intel Xeon E3-1280 Sandy Bridge 3.5GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Server Processor BX80623E31280

Currently that is the only LGA 1155 Xeon in stock at Newegg.ca, so you could use cheaper 1155 Xeons, if you can get them.

MoB: Newegg.ca - ASUS P8B WS LGA 1155 Intel C206 ATX Intel Xeon E3 Server/Workstation Motherboard
RAM: Newegg.ca - Kingston 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM ECC Unbuffered DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Server Memory Model KVR1333D3E9SK2/8G

SSD: Newegg.ca - Corsair Force Series GT CSSD-F120GBGT-BK 2.5" 120GB SATA III Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
As for the SSD. you could go for the M4 instead of the Corsair SSD, but that could be a personal preference, if you do not trust any SandForce drives.

DVD: Newegg.ca - ASUS 24X DVD Burner - Bulk 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS - CD / DVD Burners
PSU: Newegg.ca - CORSAIR Professional Series Gold AX750 (CMPSU-750AX) 750W ATX12V v2.31 / EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
EDIT: Personally, I would not be reusing the old PSU, but my suggestion could be a slight overkill, with that in mind, I still would not cheap-out on a PSU and go with a minimum 500W

VID: Newegg.ca - PNY VCQ4000-PB Quadro 4000 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Workstation Video Card

Video card wise, you can try the cheaper Quadro 2000 (which is the one I use), but don't expect to play all games on high - not Crysis anyway. EDIT: Additionally, Quadro 2000 does not require auxiliary (6-pin/8-pin) power where as 4000 does.

OS: Newegg.ca - Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit - Operating Systems
Case: Newegg.ca - COOLER MASTER RC-692-KKN3 CM690 II Basic Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Total: 2,326 CAD

 

[ziikutv]

$1500 and I just added a new non-xeon rig. Can you please help me w/ that build?

 

[ilya]

$1500 and I just added a new non-xeon rig. Can you please help me w/ that build?

Prices aren't that great TBH, use a shopbot and pricematch at NCIX.

If you're not going to get a 2600k and overclock, scrap the overpriced gaming/overclocking board. If you want to stick with Asus, any of their p8 boards will be adequate.

You won't need a 650W PSU if you're not overclocking. PSU choice would depend on how much you value modular cables/power efficiency/price.

No point in paying full retail price for a GTX 460, it's a good card, but old tech. Catch one on sale for under $120 or buy used.

Patriot Wildfire isn't a very good choice for SSD caching, the max capacity allowed is 64gb and the smallest Wildfire is 120gb. Since you're on a budget, I'd recommend a Kingston V series 64gb for ~$80.

Also curious to know which Raven case you plan on using.

 

[EmptyMellon]

$1500 and I just added a new non-xeon rig. Can you please help me w/ that build?

Personally, (others can disagree, including you) I see you spending too much money on the wrong items; don't take me wrong they are nice, but not worth the money if you are trying to stay with a 1,500 CAD budget (shipping and taxes included).

Case wise, I assume you picked this one: Newegg.ca - SILVERSTONE RAVEN Series RV03B-W Matte Black Steel / Plastic ATX Full Tower Computer Case; it is a nice case but you pay 45 CAD just for shipping; hence I suggested a CoolerMaster 690 II. Even if you pick the CM 690 II Advanced at $89 (with shipping ~$100), you can spend the rest on a better graphics card: Newegg.ca - EVGA 01G-P3-1561-AR GeForce GTX 560 Ti FPB (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card.

Same for the motherboard. Assuming you picked this Maximus IV Extreme-Z, which is a $360 deal. Now, unless you plan on populating most of the PCI-E slots, you can spend your money on something lot cheaper and buy and SSD for other then caching. Firstly though, what additional cards (sound/NIC/etc.) are you planning on adding, in addition to the graphics card, if any?

EDIT: Like ilya said, Shopbot - Compare prices - Canada - Price Comparison - Comparison Shopping is your friend. Also, BestDirect.ca - Canada's Technology Source has good deals that sometimes do not show up on shopbot, which in turn you can "PriceMatch" on NCIX during final purchase.

 

[ziikutv]

Hi guys, thats just something I hashed together, can you recommend a sample build? One thing I want for sure is the Sandy Bridge CPU and the amount of RAM. I currently do own a Corsair 430W powersupply.

Edit: Added a 2nd Build, took some suggestions.

 

[EmptyMellon]

RAM and PSU

Hi guys, thats just something I hashed together, can you recommend a sample build? One thing I want for sure is the Sandy Bridge CPU and the amount of RAM. I currently do own a Corsair 430W powersupply.

Edit: Added a 2nd Build, took some suggestions.

Your Build 2 RAM: Patriot Viper II RAM 12GB | $74.49 is ment for triple channel boards (i.e. 1366). You need to look for dual channel or quad channel RAM.

EDIT: Based on a PSU Calculator, your 430W Corsair PSU should be sufficient.

 

[ilya]

Just noticed you want to run OS X, keep in mind OS X compatibility with Sandy Bridge platforms is still in an experimental stage. But if you do decide to stick with Sandy Bridge, go with a Gigabyte or Asus board. (in order of preference) Also keep in mind that SSD caching won't work in Linux/OS X, and since you're not overclocking there isn't much point in going with a Z68 or P67 chipset.

 

[ziikutv]

Alright, modified Build 2 and added Gigabyte GIGABYTE GA-H67A-UD3H-B3 LGA 1155 Intel H67 Motherboard and G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB RAm

 

[EmptyMellon]

Well, looks like you are good to go.

One other thing; read Newegg's (or any other e-tailer's) product reviews as they might clue you into potential issues and solutions to the issues, should you decide to buy them.