New Workstation Build - i7 X99, Titan X, Overclocking...

[Zeb B]

Hey Jeff!!
I was just about to post a thread requesting this. I'm on a fully stacked nMP trying to run PP CC etc with Nikon D810 timelapse footie cut in with RED and am watching a spinning beach ball waaaay to much. Same on FCPX.

Does anyone offer build services for the machine you suggest? I'm a Mac guy who is out of options with Apple so have no talent in building a tower.

 

[Troy Smith]

I've been talking to ADK, they build and seem like the real deal, i'd give them a call.

 

[Zeb B]

I've been talking to ADK, they build and seem like the real deal, i'd give them a call.

Contact info for them and your Rep?

 

[Troy Smith]

Eric Bowen 859-635-5762

 

[Zeb B]

Thanks! What is the budget range for what Jeff has speced out?

 

[Donald MJ Anderson]

There is Titancomputers.com

They have been around for a few years. Lots of options and a good online configurator.

I haven't used them but likely will in the next 2 to 3 weeks.

 

[Alan Skinner]

Hi Jeff,

I have been following this thread and am ready to build a box like this.

My uses are for RED r3d from my Epic and for CAD and 3D and point cloud editing work from 3D Laser scans.

But, the job that is paying for this build is really the CAD and Point cloud work. So, I may end up installing a K6000 Quadro for that.

First question: The SSDs are for OS drive. How do they install to motherboard? I have built a lot of machines but not familiar with this setup. Could you please enlighten?

Second question: You mentioned you would have built with the 750D case. I like to build as compact as possible. Is it still your opinion that I should not build in the C70 case for any reason?

And, lastly: thanks for taking the time to share your experience and shorten the learning curve for the rest of us!~

Alan

 

[Octave Zangs]

Maybe we should have a separate thread for that but it would be awesome if some of you guys could tell us your preferences for the Windows version to choose, guidelines on how to setup Windows as a workstation and tips and trick for a Mac user? Like, do you still need an anti-virus, for example.


Thanks much!

 

[Jeff Kilgroe]

Thanks! What is the budget range for what Jeff has speced out?

Reflecting back on my build list...

ASUS X99-E WS motherboard - $485
Intel i7-5960X CPU (8-cores, 3GHz) - $995
64GB DDR4 2800MHz rated RAM (G.Skill RipJaw 4's, 15-16-16-35) - $730
EVGA Titan X SuperClocked 12GB GPU - $1050 (x2 for current setup)
Samsung 512GB M.2 PCIe X4 SSD - $460
ASUS Thunderbolt EX/II interface card - $70
Areca ARC-1883i 12Gbp/s SAS RAID host - $500
BlackMagic DeckLink 4K Extreme I/O card - $995
Corsair H100i GTX liquid CPU cooler - $115
Corsair C70 Vengeance tower case - $110
EVGA 1300G2 power supply - $130
6 x 6TB Seagate 7200rpm 128MB cache SAS 12Gbps HDDs - $1600 (got a great deal)
LG Blu-Ray writer 16X - $55
RED mini-mag reader for mounting internally - $190
Assorted cables, brackets and other junk as needed... - $30 +/-

That comes to just a fuzz under $8600 with the dual GPUs and I'm also using the Dell P2715Q UHD monitor with this and paid about $540 for that. Using a Logitech mouse and keyboard I already had... This is not a budget build by any means and is not going to come in cheaper than a nMP cylinder or other single CPU workstation that has decent capability.

I could build a competent workstation for quite a bit less though. And likewise, I could spend a whole lot more -- Xeon CPU and 128GB RAM, for example.

 

[Jeff Kilgroe]

Hi Jeff,

I have been following this thread and am ready to build a box like this.

My uses are for RED r3d from my Epic and for CAD and 3D and point cloud editing work from 3D Laser scans.

But, the job that is paying for this build is really the CAD and Point cloud work. So, I may end up installing a K6000 Quadro for that.

If the Quadro is truly beneficial to you. But be sure to investigate that before you spend the extra money.

First question: The SSDs are for OS drive. How do they install to motherboard? I have built a lot of machines but not familiar with this setup. Could you please enlighten?

I'm using a 512GB M.2 PCIe SSD, which installs into a dedicated M.2 socket on the motherboard -- there is only one such socket on this, and most current motherboards. It's simple, you remove a small screw, which is to hold the SSD in place and support the un-attached end. Snap the SSD into the M.2 socket -- like installing a small PCIe card or memory module, but it rests parallel with the motherboard and flat against it. Then put the screw back, into the stand-off which both supports the SSD card and holds it in place. Just google it, it's super-simple.

Second question: You mentioned you would have built with the 750D case. I like to build as compact as possible. Is it still your opinion that I should not build in the C70 case for any reason?

This depends on your needs for this system and which motherboard and PCIe cards, drives, etc.. you choose. The C70 case is nice. A larger case gives better room for increased airflow and more elegant wire management. The C70 is perfectly fine for some configurations here. I should have gone larger as this build could benefit from better airflow, more drive bays, better wire positioning...

And, lastly: thanks for taking the time to share your experience and shorten the learning curve for the rest of us!

No problem. I should have taken more pictures, but it took forever to wrangle the time to build....

 

[Jeff Kilgroe]

Maybe we should have a separate thread for that but it would be awesome if some of you guys could tell us your preferences for the Windows version to choose, guidelines on how to setup Windows as a workstation and tips and trick for a Mac user? Like, do you still need an anti-virus, for example.

Windows 10 is shaping up nice.

That said, I would recommend 8.1 Pro 64bit right now. I do like Windows 7 a bit more for some minor reasons, but 8.1 is the overall better OS. You may or may not want anti-virus software. That's almost a philosophical question at times. That's an entirely different discussion.

 

[Alan Skinner]

Thanks for the reply Jeff,

I have decided to go with the C70 case. As the K5000 Quadro is 4GB and the Titan X is 12GB, (and because the K6000 is four thousand dollars) I am going to go with the Titan X as you did. See how it performs for my CAD needs. This workstation can always get dedicated to Video editing later if I find I need more "CAD type" power.

I just ordered everything. Your expertise has been very much appreciated. More pictures would have been nice but I understand how much more time it takes to document your project when you try to also include images.

Thanks again!


Alan

If the Quadro is truly beneficial to you. But be sure to investigate that before you spend the extra money.




I'm using a 512GB M.2 PCIe SSD, which installs into a dedicated M.2 socket on the motherboard -- there is only one such socket on this, and most current motherboards. It's simple, you remove a small screw, which is to hold the SSD in place and support the un-attached end. Snap the SSD into the M.2 socket -- like installing a small PCIe card or memory module, but it rests parallel with the motherboard and flat against it. Then put the screw back, into the stand-off which both supports the SSD card and holds it in place. Just google it, it's super-simple.



This depends on your needs for this system and which motherboard and PCIe cards, drives, etc.. you choose. The C70 case is nice. A larger case gives better room for increased airflow and more elegant wire management. The C70 is perfectly fine for some configurations here. I should have gone larger as this build could benefit from better airflow, more drive bays, better wire positioning...



No problem. I should have taken more pictures, but it took forever to wrangle the time to build....

 

[Eric Bowen]

What CAD app are you using? Autocad shifted over to Direct X so the Geforce cards work fine for that. Last I checked only Solid Works had any features left that used the Quadro Open GL specifically.

 

[DJ Meyer]

Just for sake of clarity, if you're looking for top-end Quadro, the M6000 replaced the K6000.

 

[Alan Skinner]

Thanks guys.

Working in CATIA, AutoCAD Civil3D, 3ds Max, Inventor, Navisworks, all the adobe products, Trimble Realworks for point cloud editing, Rhino3D, plus r3d editing.

I have always done Quadros for my CAD work but cannot justify the difference anymore.

So, went with the Titan X.

 

[Alan Skinner]

Jeff, Would the Titan X Hydro Copper make sense for cooling and would it fit in the C70 box?

EDIT: OOOPS! Looks like Titan X is not out with the water blocks yet but you can get them separately from same mfg that is making them for NVidia. Well, I guess the question still stands. Would they fit? And, wouldn't this make the whole thing a lot quieter?

EDIT #2: Looks like Newegg actually does have the Hydro Copper version

Windows 10 is shaping up nice.

That said, I would recommend 8.1 Pro 64bit right now. I do like Windows 7 a bit more for some minor reasons, but 8.1 is the overall better OS. You may or may not want anti-virus software. That's almost a philosophical question at times. That's an entirely different discussion.

 

[Alan Skinner]

Yet another question: If I want multiple displays (I ordered two of the Dell 27 inch UHD monitors) can I drive both of them with a single Titan X at 4K? Can't seem to find that answer on the 'Net.

 

[Zeb B]

Reflecting back on my build list...

ASUS X99-E WS motherboard - $485
Intel i7-5960X CPU (8-cores, 3GHz) - $995
64GB DDR4 2800MHz rated RAM (G.Skill RipJaw 4's, 15-16-16-35) - $730
EVGA Titan X SuperClocked 12GB GPU - $1050 (x2 for current setup)
Samsung 512GB M.2 PCIe X4 SSD - $460
ASUS Thunderbolt EX/II interface card - $70
Areca ARC-1883i 12Gbp/s SAS RAID host - $500
BlackMagic DeckLink 4K Extreme I/O card - $995
Corsair H100i GTX liquid CPU cooler - $115
Corsair C70 Vengeance tower case - $110
EVGA 1300G2 power supply - $130
6 x 6TB Seagate 7200rpm 128MB cache SAS 12Gbps HDDs - $1600 (got a great deal)
LG Blu-Ray writer 16X - $55
RED mini-mag reader for mounting internally - $190
Assorted cables, brackets and other junk as needed... - $30 +/-

That comes to just a fuzz under $8600 with the dual GPUs and I'm also using the Dell P2715Q UHD monitor with this and paid about $540 for that. Using a Logitech mouse and keyboard I already had... This is not a budget build by any means and is not going to come in cheaper than a nMP cylinder or other single CPU workstation that has decent capability.

I could build a competent workstation for quite a bit less though. And likewise, I could spend a whole lot more -- Xeon CPU and 128GB RAM, for example.

Thanks Brother!!

 

[Eric Bowen]

Yes you can drive multiple 4K monitors since the Titan X cards have multiple Displayport's and an HDMi 2.0

 

[Richard Tran]

For those contemplating between this and a nMP, they should also keep in mind that the below shouldn't factor into their price, correct?

Areca - 500
BlackMagic - 995
6 x 6TB HD - 1600
RED Reader - 190
= ~3300

Reflecting back on my build list...

ASUS X99-E WS motherboard - $485
Intel i7-5960X CPU (8-cores, 3GHz) - $995
64GB DDR4 2800MHz rated RAM (G.Skill RipJaw 4's, 15-16-16-35) - $730
EVGA Titan X SuperClocked 12GB GPU - $1050 (x2 for current setup)
Samsung 512GB M.2 PCIe X4 SSD - $460
ASUS Thunderbolt EX/II interface card - $70
Areca ARC-1883i 12Gbp/s SAS RAID host - $500
BlackMagic DeckLink 4K Extreme I/O card - $995
Corsair H100i GTX liquid CPU cooler - $115
Corsair C70 Vengeance tower case - $110
EVGA 1300G2 power supply - $130
6 x 6TB Seagate 7200rpm 128MB cache SAS 12Gbps HDDs - $1600 (got a great deal)
LG Blu-Ray writer 16X - $55
RED mini-mag reader for mounting internally - $190
Assorted cables, brackets and other junk as needed... - $30 +/-

That comes to just a fuzz under $8600 with the dual GPUs and I'm also using the Dell P2715Q UHD monitor with this and paid about $540 for that. Using a Logitech mouse and keyboard I already had... This is not a budget build by any means and is not going to come in cheaper than a nMP cylinder or other single CPU workstation that has decent capability.

I could build a competent workstation for quite a bit less though. And likewise, I could spend a whole lot more -- Xeon CPU and 128GB RAM, for example.