Many threads, good performance, low price, no clocking.

BrowserUk

BrowserUk

BrowserUk

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19 Mar 2012
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I'm looking to put together a system for development and testing of a highly threaded library.

I don't need a fancy case or multiple GPUs.
I don't need (and would be bugged by) LEDs that serve no purpose on the motherboard, fans, or elsewhere.
I won't be clocking the cpu (other than to turn it down a touch to extend life, if that is possible).
The machine will be run flat out for long periods, but I won't consider liquid cooling, so a good fan & heatsink ,rated to the cpu's standard thermal rating is important.
DDR4 memory is desirable.

In short: as many threads as possible; as fast as is commensurate with reliability and longevity; for as little money as I can get away with.

I'm thinking Ryzen 7 (but which one is the best balance of oomph and cost?); AM4 motherboard (which brand/model); the Wraith Stealth Cooler sounds like the real thing, (but is it up to extended runs (days) flat out?).

What else do I need? (Power supply rating; gpu (or built-in) graphics for basic HD display; memory; basic sound.) I have terabyte disks and 120GB ssd.

Thanks for your opinions, Buk
 
kindai said:
A budget would be the key decider.
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Hm. I don't have a fixed budget in mind; but say £500 as a starting point and go from there. My main thought is that this will be a workhorse, not a Ferrari.
I don't need frills or bragging rights, but I'd perhaps find a bit more if it bought something that I felt was tangible.
 
Hello, firstly, is that budget just for the CPU, or are you wanting additional parts with that? And how many cores/threads are you looking for specifically?
The Ryzen 7 stuff would be your best bet at that price, but again, all depends on how many you need. You may be able to find an old Xeon and board, which wont offer much speed (which seems like you're not interested in anyway) but will give the threads
 
IRSHunter said:
Hello, firstly, is that budget just for the CPU, or are you wanting additional parts with that? And how many cores/threads are you looking for specifically?
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The £500 is for cpu/cooler/m.board/PS/case. (Drives and memory I have.)

Currently considering:
Ryzen 7 1700 3.70GHz with cooler £290;
A320M-DGS AMD A320 (Socket AM4) DDR4 Micro ATX Motherboard £48;
Kolink Core Series 500W 80 Plus Certified Power Supply £29;

Basically, sort low-high price and pick the lowest that seems to give me what I need. (I'm perfectly aware that I may need to spend more on some components, (eg.PS), but I need advice about why and how much.)

I'm not sure (beyond a case) what else I need to put together working system?

IRSHunter said:
You may be able to find an old Xeon and board, which wont offer much speed (which seems like you're not interested in anyway) but will give the threads
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Hm. A Ryzen 7 1700 (not X) gives me 8/16 @3.4/3.7GHz for £290; the cheapest Intel I see with 8/16 is the E5-2620V4 @2.1/3.0GHz for £425. Did I miss a lower priced 8/16 Xeon?
 
BrowserUk said:
Hm. A Ryzen 7 1700 (not X) gives me 8/16 @3.4/3.7GHz for £290; the cheapest Intel I see with 8/16 is the E5-2620V4 @2.1/3.0GHz for £425. Did I miss a lower priced 8/16 Xeon?
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No no that's just for a second hand one you may be able to snag up.

I'd say you've specced a decent build for that price, you'll still be in need of some DDR4 memory, you did say you have some, is this DDR4? You've already stated you have storage which is good.
A decent case with a couple of standard fans will set you back £50 odd, i'd suggest a midi tower, nothing fancy to save you some £££ - but if you're planning on it running 24/7, make sure airflow is good
 
IRSHunter said:
I'd say you've specced a decent build for that price, you'll still be in need of some DDR4 memory, you did say you have some, is this DDR4?
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I have a single 8GB DDR4 dimm I picked up cheap that'll do to start with. I'll need to wait a bit to buy the two x 16GB dual port dimms I want.

IRSHunter said:
A decent case with a couple of standard fans will set you back £50 odd, i'd suggest a midi tower, nothing fancy to save you some £££ - but if you're planning on it running 24/7, make sure airflow is good
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That's one of the things I've had problems trying to spec. It's hard to tell from the tiny pics and brief descriptions what sort of airflow any given case will provide. I see gamer cases with 3, 4 or more case fans, but also Darth Vader styling and a plethora of pointless LEDs for silly money.

If you have any specific suggestions for basic mini-ATX cases with known good airflow they'd be gratefully received.

Also, do I need to add a graphics card for basic desktop and HD video? Or will that work with just the Ryzen?

If I do buy a GC, then It'd be nice to get one that could support two 1920x1080 screens without costing the earth or the need for a deafening fan.
 
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/b-grade-nzxt-h440-midi-tower-black-green-bg-042-nx.html - This would be ideal if you don't mind the window, comes with 4 fans total, it's close to the one i have and it's very easy to build into,

In terms of the mobo and CPU, you do have a DVI port on that mobo, which can do HD, but may not support certain HD functions which may be a problem for you if you say you'd like full HD.

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/powe...ddr5-pci-express-graphics-card-gx-18q-pc.html - Something like this would be great for duel screens, only problem is, finding a GPU that has two ports and is cheap is mostly unheard of atm

I understand this would take you around £50 over budget, so i will have a look for some alternatives.
 
IRSHunter said:
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/b-grade-nzxt-h440-midi-tower-black-green-bg-042-nx.html - This would be ideal if you don't mind the window, comes with 4 fans total, it's close to the one i have and it's very easy to build into,

In terms of the mobo and CPU, you do have a DVI port on that mobo, which can do HD, but may not support certain HD functions which may be a problem for you if you say you'd like full HD.

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/powe...ddr5-pci-express-graphics-card-gx-18q-pc.html - Something like this would be great for duel screens, only problem is, finding a GPU that has two ports and is cheap is mostly unheard of atm

I understand this would take you around £50 over budget, so i will have a look for some alternatives.
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Thanks. I think I know where I'm going now.
 
bloodiedathame said:
Look at this on eBay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/263088384017
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I hadn't consider buying a complete dual-core system. That is certainly good value for what is rated as an accomplished machine in its day.

However, the Xeon 5150 is rated at 1741 by passmark. Even with two of them, that's well down on a Ryzen 1700 which they rate at 13,184.

It's also only dual core and no hyperthreading, so it would only get me 4 threads, which I have now with my ancient Q6600(2969); and not the 8/16 threads the Ryzen gives me.
 
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BrowserUk said:
I hadn't consider buying a complete dual-core system. That is certainly good value for what is rated as an accomplished machine in its day.

However, the Xeon 5150 is rated at 1741 by passmark. Even with two of them, that's well down on a Ryzen 1700 which they rate at 13,184.

It's also only dual core and no hyperthreading, so it would only get me 4 threads, which I have now with my ancient Q6600(2969); and not the 8/16 threads the Ryzen gives me.
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Some of those dual CPU systems are compatible with x5690s as previously mentioned. I picked up a pair for under £300 and put them in my work Mac pro. Just a thought anyway. :)
 
bloodiedathame said:
Just a thought anyway. :)
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And a good one. It certainly made me stop and think. A MacPro with two x5690s certainly gives me everything I need in terms of threads&cores and potentially an 18,000 cpumark.

In the end I'm sticking with the Ryzen for 3 reasons:

1) You're never quite sure what your getting when you buy second-hand. And to fit my budget, I'd need to look at the cheaper end of that market which raises the risks of buying stuff that's been thrashed.

2) The system I'd end up with would be at the top of its evolutionary path with no potential for future growth.
With the Ryzen, there are at least two steps up if I feel the need in the future, and one presumes they'll be more that'll fit the AM4 board down the line. (Shame the ThreadRipper is different.)

3) I like the idea of there being a second X64 supplier in the market, so buying AMD feels good even if it is just a drop in the ocean :)
 
BrowserUk said:
And a good one. It certainly made me stop and think. A MacPro with two x5690s certainly gives me everything I need in terms of threads&cores and potentially an 18,000 cpumark.

In the end I'm sticking with the Ryzen for 3 reasons:

1) You're never quite sure what your getting when you buy second-hand. And to fit my budget, I'd need to look at the cheaper end of that market which raises the risks of buying stuff that's been thrashed.

2) The system I'd end up with would be at the top of its evolutionary path with no potential for future growth.
With the Ryzen, there are at least two steps up if I feel the need in the future, and one presumes they'll be more that'll fit the AM4 board down the line. (Shame the ThreadRipper is different.)

3) I like the idea of there being a second X64 supplier in the market, so buying AMD feels good even if it is just a drop in the ocean :)
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I hope your system does what it should and lasts :)
 
Don`t you need a gfx card for Ryzen?
Sure I read that somewhere as Ryzen cpu`s don`t have onboard gfx??? Not certain but maybe worth you checking out :)
 
ANDARIAL said:
Don`t you need a gfx card for Ryzen?
Sure I read that somewhere as Ryzen cpu`s don`t have onboard gfx??? Not certain but maybe worth you checking out :)
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Yes you are right, my bad, completely skipped my mind that Ryzen didn't support onboard GPU. Browser, you'll need a GPU with that system
 
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