2019/2020 Workstation & Gaming build - best performance for price ?

Alt and F4

Alt and F4

Alt and F4

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29 Nov 2019
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Hello all,

I'm going a bit crazy trying to figure out what I would need to build a good workstation that would also be able to run the latest games at high settings.
Currently have the opportunity to work from home - and then at the weekends use the PC for a bit of fun.


I'm looking to end up with a PC that will easily carry out the following work tasks:
3D CAD - (so suitable size and speed of RAM I guess is what is required here?)
3D model rendering - (I presume VRAM is important here?)
Video editing and rendering - (again VRAM important?)

I'm also looking to have a PC that will do the following types of games with ease:
Flight Sims (such as DCS World) - (all about the graphics card I guess?)
Car racing sims - (again important to have a good graphics card?)
First person shooter sims (such as Call of Duty) - (apart from internet lag I guess again its the graphics card that will be most important here?)


So, the internet is full of builds for either a workstation OR a gaming PC, but not one that would be comfortable with both.

I've heard that anything branded as "workstation" can be high price just because it is expected that such things would be paid for out of a company budget, but I am hoping you guys can help me out with a component list that will work really well.

My budget is around £800-£1200 (GBP) / $1000-$1500 (USD)

Many thanks for any help on this - looking to treat myself for christmas !
 
@Alt and F4

welcome .

See you've listed the workstation is for Work use, what Programs would you be using exactly ? modeling/rendering programs can either by CPU/GPU or Hybrid methods .

Video editing is normally based on CPU, but with excellent programs like Resolve Davinci - they can make use of GPU power as well. Are you rendering 1080p or 4k content ?

Flight Sims... Microsoft will be having their new flight sim out next year, which will be the first modern flight sim to use multicores and rendering techniques etc

With ryzen 12 core- can pretty much do it both, though GPU fund is lower (CPU 3D rendering and Video editing) ! or 6 cores if more cash needs to be placed on GPU for GPU Based rendering


https://www.pugetsystems.com/all_articles.php

^^^gods work for workstations
 
Thanks for the reply.

Works station use will be the likes of AutoCAD 3D and Revit - for doing civil engineering drawings and models.

Video rendering will be for both work and personal use - editing and compiling videos that engineers take on work sites. And then for personal use such as putting together videos taken whilst on holidays.


So a Ryzen 12 core would be a good starting point?
And I'm guessing more core will be better for work software?

Cheers.
 
@Alt and F4 Revit seems to be a pain if your having to stick to Certified cards as then your using Workstation based cards, which are naff around gaming. In work and at uni, I just used high end Consumer GPUs with VRAM.

https://www.pugetsystems.com/recomm...r-Autodesk-Revit-171/Hardware-Recommendations

Revit, your rendering is going to be CPU based unless you have plug in for V-ray and using Nvidia's RTX advantage .

CPU based programs
https://www.pugetsystems.com/labs/a...Rendering-Performance-AMD-Ryzen-9-3950X-1610/

v-ray
https://www.pugetsystems.com/labs/a...-2080-2080-Ti-GPU-Rendering-Performance-1242/

AMD RX 5700 XT performance
https://www.guru3d.com/articles-pages/amd-radeon-rx-5700-and-5700-xt-review,27.html


just how big of the Project you do for modeling ? as again VRAM plays a bit part so looking at 8GB VRam .

handy for GPU and revit

https://enscape3d.com/?utm_expid=.q_6aT23BT-iP_VrggQegpg.0&utm_referrer=https://www.google.com/

^^^ show off and give onsite workers VR/AR headsets and can see the project there and then ;)

ideally


My basket at Overclockers UK:
Total: £1,524.09 (includes shipping: £13.20)


trimming it down. 8 core instead of 12, 16gb instead of 32gb , case and cooling on a budget long with lower Watt PSU due to no 12 cores

My basket at Overclockers UK:
Total: £1,220.01 (includes shipping: £13.20)
​
 
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Thanks again for the replies. Much appreciated!

For Revit, I'll just be doing basic site specific designs - its more the AutoCAD 3D that will do the bulk of the design work. As I'll be loading in mapping, images, reference files, 3D survey data etc. etc. Which will then have 3D design models placed in to the drawing which I'll then have to render out from time to time to produce nice looking PDFs showing how things are progressing and what they'll look like once built.
Some AutoCAD dwg files can easily become 500Mb - but I don't know how that translates to actual RAM usage. When checking my work PC (At work) which is an Intel Xeon E5-1650 v2 @ 3.5Ghz, NVIDIA Quadro K4000 graphics card and with 16Gb RAM, it is more or less always fully utilized in terms of RAM and it does struggle often when processing tasks such as rendering.


So as I start to compile a component list for my home PC - so far I've got ....

Processor = Ryzen 12 core 1920X
Graphics card = AMD RX 5700 XT performance
 
@Alt and F4

work CPU is 6 cores 12 threads, so even Ryzen 3700 running at 4.2ghz all core overclock of left to boost on its own with a good cooling will beat it . (intel 3.6ghz all core speed)

So, you'll be needing 32GB of ram then easily ! and sounds with sluggish - all CPUs will do that when rendering as it will load all cores 100% , more cores the better .

k4000 is 3GB of VRAM , finding it sluggish when your moving around larger CAD models ? also core count loser then recent nvidia lines. but 100% adobe Revit supported .

also sounds like you'll be having multiple programs on the go !

I forgot about older Thread ripper. only problem is 8 core RyZEN 3RD GEN matches 2nd Gen Thread ripper!

wait. you listed 1st gen.... yeah- stick with ryzen 3700 !!!! clock speed, ram performance and CPU tweaks makes it the better performer

also, older Thread Ripper Socket is EOL

and gaming... not the best, least look at 16 core version
 
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Unfortunately not.
Although having said that, my wife runs her own business and works from home full-time.
If she were to also use the new PC for her work then it could be something she buys through her business and could claim back the VAT I suppose.
 
Apologies - can I just ask one follow up question ..... would the two options that are listed above be suitable for gaming with Virtual Reality headsets?
I am hoping to be able play flight and racing car sims in VR in a manner that is very smooth with a good level of resolution and detail - hoping by doing that it will not give me motion sickness ;) .
 
Alt and F4 said:
Thanks for the reply.

Works station use will be the likes of AutoCAD 3D and Revit - for doing civil engineering drawings and models.
Click to expand...

Is this work that's actually earning you money? If so you should be using a Quadro card, then a separate computer for gaming.

Advantages of Quadro cards for professional work.

1) Drivers undergo more testing, including testing against productivity software such as AutoCAD.
2) All same model Quadro cards give the same calculated output, this is in contrast to gaming cards such as Geforce that are referenced out.
3) Nvidia Quadro provide partner certified drivers that are certified to work again software such as AutoCAD.
4) And this is the worst part. Gaming drivers such as Geforce drivers are focused on latest games, that means in the rush to release gaming drivers, applications such as AutoCAD and Revit often take second stage in the driver testing.
5) Some Quadro cards have ECC memory, again it's all about reducing errors in your output.

This is an interesting read.

https://www.scan2cad.com/cad/cad-graphics-card/

In addition to above, it's really poor form to mix a workstation computer with a gaming computer. Of course lots of people do this, however a workstation computer should be kept pure with only the software required on it.

My personal approach is to invest in new hardware for workstation & home server builds, then when these are eventually upgraded I re-use the old hardware into HTPC or gaming PC's, this means that computers that are valuable for work stay modern, and the older but still pretty fast computers get a second live for non important tasks.
 
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Thanks for that reply Jason.

Totally understand what you are saying regarding having a dedicated PC build for the purpose it is to be used for.
However, I find myself in a good position whereby I can work from home a few days during the week and then be free at weekends to do a bit of gaming - I was hoping that in the latest vast range of PC build options that there may be a good compromise of components that could be thrown together that would offer a good level of performance for both work and game activities.

I guess I'm not looking for "top level" performance on the work activities , as I recognise workstation builds can reach eye watering prices, similarly I just want a game build that will allow me to comfortably run flight sims, car racing sims, 1st person shooters etc. with high level of graphics and smoothness - and just as an add on I am also looking to start using virtual reality for gaming and also possibly for some work activities.

Excluding monitors, VR headset and other devices, I was hoping there would be a good compromise value for money build that would be suitable for the above - and also hoping this would arrive at around the £1200 price point.

Cheers.
 
Quadro cards with high levels of VRam are now getting expensive . seem people are forgoing them to get more powerful GPU to get the rendering job done . If your company was paying for it then different story .

above build with all research material would be the best in between option . most likely you'll be rendering of CPU anyways .

AMD cards do well in DX12 along with ryzen so new MS flight Sim should be ace on it !

if your wife needs to 'spend cash' for Tax returns then perfect opportunity . Know some family members that do that to lower some profit so tax man doesn't get it haha
 
Quadro cards are not about the performance, but the stability of the drivers, namely certified drivers for the work you mention. Also Quadro cards give consistent calculations that are not required for a gaming card.

My software development computer uses Quadro NVS cards powering triple screens, it's just the way I prefer it, sure I could use a Geforce card, but I'll miss the Quadro nView that's actually quite useful.

When you build a workstation computer it's a different thought process then a gaming PC, the priorities are stability, reliability, and also a quite computer as you will working next to it for long periods.
 
Thanks. Yes, I guess like anything that is designed for purpose, PC builds are designed for their particular use.

So taking in all the replies so far, would the spec list that was mentioned earlier be a decent compromise to be able to do CAD work, video editing, model rendering and gaming sims with VR - to a level that would be good for gaming and workable for the work activities?

Totally relying on expert advice as my previous experience with a PC build was way back in the year 2008 !
(Things have moved on so far that I barely recognise components any more :) - also compatibility is something I am lost on, so your help is much appreciated on this thread).
 
Alt and F4 said:
So taking in all the replies so far, would the spec list that was mentioned earlier be a decent compromise to be able to do CAD work, video editing, model rendering and gaming sims with VR - to a level that would be good for gaming and workable for the work activities?
Click to expand...

What you should do is find an AutoCAD forum, ask them what setups work best. You mention video editing, I know Adobe Premier Pro uses CUDA, so CUDA would need getting a Geforce card.

I personally don't like AMD cards, a few years ago I had an R9 290, the card suffered random windows crashes, turned out it was just bad drivers, but it took AMD maybe 8 months to resolve, but i'm just one example, there are thousands of people on here who only use AMD.

The thing with Overclockers.co.uk forum is everyone has good intention, however it's primary a gaming forum, so it's pot luck if you find anyone who knows exactly whats best for the software your planning.

I'm a bit oddball here, as I built software development workstations and home servers, most of the things I recommenced people aren't interested in.

If it was me personally, I would be researching if AMD or Intel works best with the software your planning, then once you have discovered this find a gaming card that's known compatible (people are already running) with AutoCAD for example. Yes it's totally possible to combine a workstation and gaming build, but you need to be sure the graphics card will work well with the productivity software.
 
JasonM said:
What you should do is find an AutoCAD forum, ask them what setups work best. You mention video editing, I know Adobe Premier Pro uses CUDA, so CUDA would need getting a Geforce card.

I personally don't like AMD cards, a few years ago I had an R9 290, the card suffered random windows crashes, turned out it was just bad drivers, but it took AMD maybe 8 months to resolve, but i'm just one example, there are thousands of people on here who only use AMD.

The thing with Overclockers.co.uk forum is everyone has good intention, however it's primary a gaming forum, so it's pot luck if you find anyone who knows exactly whats best for the software your planning.

I'm a bit oddball here, as I built software development workstations and home servers, most of the things I recommenced people aren't interested in.

If it was me personally, I would be researching if AMD or Intel works best with the software your planning, then once you have discovered this find a gaming card that's known compatible (people are already running) with AutoCAD for example. Yes it's totally possible to combine a workstation and gaming build, but you need to be sure the graphics card will work well with the productivity software.
Click to expand...

Puget systems as linked above. Pretty much do reviews and hardware testing others dont do as its a Workstation builder in the states . With Prem Pro/After Effects i'd would just use the CPU for editing- , if Resolve then CPU+GPU


https://www.pugetsystems.com/labs/articles/What-is-the-Best-CPU-for-Video-Editing-2019-1633/
 
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