hardware - work stations

[thorsnuts]

Hello..

I'm building a new work station and just wanted some opinions on what people are using now a days. I'm going for a cost effective but powerful CPU.. that can handle simulations, after effects rendering... multi tasking in general.. you know!! Also focusing on a multi GPU rig to take advantage of new tech.

I'm curious about your CPU and if a dual CPU is over kill, amount of RAM and much is over kill.. GPU, mother board... just to get an idea of what other people are using and whats good for the work we do.

thanks for the time

[Bullit]

Not a complete opinion but the new generation Nvidia Pascal cards are getting out so you might want look at them and see if it is better to wait slightly. Also a SSD is a must at least for me.

[thorsnuts]

oh thanks.. Yes the geforce 1080 is on the way... and it's pretty crazy I hear

Yes!!! an SSD is just so much quicker loading things up

thanks

[Bullit]

If you think Pascal series is not a big improvement - i don't know if it is or not - it is also a good time to get cheaper old models.

[thorsnuts]

I believe it is significantly better and cheaper... but who know until it comes out.

[Bullit]

Review from the hardware site i prefer. No render engine test, but it has compute test.

In viewport performance it looses for pro cards only in CAD applications. It is superior in Maya. 980 was already superior and this extends the lead.

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Nvidia-GeF ... 500.0.html

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Nvidia-Pas ... 493.0.html

[Rez007]

It depends on how custom you want to go and how much time you want to put in. When building your own system, there sometimes can be headaches if something goes wrong and finding out where the problem may be coming from.

This is an option, and I am sure some might not agree with it, but you can buy a Dell XPS 8900 at a good deal, and then replace the GPU with a 1080 or something else, and perhaps you might need to upgrade the Power Supply - that depends though. Some of the deals that Dell runs are unbeatable, even if you build the system yourself. They just had a flashsale on an XPS and I would have bought it and did what I just mentioned if I did not already have a new-ish system. (Be sure to see if the card can physically fit in the case...some cards are longer and the cases are smaller)

I would frequent IGN Deals and http://www.slickdeals.net if you are looking for great savings that pop-up every so often...a lot of those coupons out there are stack-able. Also, HP can be good too, but tend to run more than Dells.

For a CPU, I would recommend to at least get an i7, and for RAM, no less than 16GB. (My opinion)

The best time to buy a system (or components if you are building one yourself) is usually right after Halloween/before Thanksgiving and on President Day. Memorial Day is just around the corner, so some deals may be coming too.

Note: If you are planning to overclock, then this might not be the best option. I would not recommend overclocking unless you have experience with that, as you would void your warranties unless it is stated otherwise.

Edit*: This is important and I forgot to mention it before; if you go through a manufacture as I mentioned above, upgrading the video card also depends on the BIOS of the system and if it will support the new cards. Some manufactures are reluctant to update the BIOS to take advantage of newer cards, or can at least take a long time to do so. Something to be aware of and to check into.

[thorsnuts]

thanks guys... nice to read your opinions. very helpful!!

[3DMagic]

Hello all,

I'm looking to build a new powerful workstation and I've noticed on Ebay, that you can find used chips at very competitive prices, for example:

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Intel-Xeon-E5-26 ... 5XLFYfdoes

Did anyone go trough this route before? Would you consider it safe enough?

Any thoughts?

Thank you

Newcomer (<20 posts) alert: please use the URL tags - HB

[Rez007]

Hello all,

I'm looking to build a new powerful workstation and I've noticed on Ebay, that you can find used chips at very competitive prices, for example:

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Intel-Xeon-E5-26 ... 5XLFYfdoes

Did anyone go trough this route before? Would you consider it safe enough?

Any thoughts?

Thank you

It looks like a nice processor, but to be honest I have never bought a used processor before. I tend to buy new parts/systems to keep the warranty if needed. You have to be careful that the previous person took good care of it and it might not be worth the risk. Sorry I can't be much more help.

[luceric]

I'm thinking of buying a Acer Predator G6, it seems cheaper than trying to build your own PC. Surely they must have one with a GTX 1080 coming soon.

[Rez007]

@OP

I made an edit in my first message on the previous page (bottom of that message) that mentions new video cards and BIOS updates from a manufacture. Just wanted to give a heads-up as it can be important.