New Workstation Build

stonesbg · 12 Jul 2012 at 18:47

Hi All,

I am working on designing a new build for a workstation build. I am a Software Developer so use Visual Studio, SQL Server, Virtual machines. I also want to have this machine as a sharing server for Films and Tv shows to my tv.

Is the build that I have laid out overkill? Or will all the pieces play nice together?

Fractal Design Define R3 Black Pearl Mid-Tower USB 3.0 Case
Noctua Dual Radiator and Fan CPU Cooler Multi-Socket
Asus P8Z77-V DELUXE S1155 Intel Z77 DDR3 ATX
Corsair 16GB (2 x 8GB) LP Vengeance 1600MHz DDR3 240-pin DIMM CL10
Intel Core i7-3770K S1155 3.5GHz 8MB
Corsair 850W Corsair Modular PSU

I have a SSD Drive that I will be reusing as well as a Blue Ray drive.

All comments are welcome.

Name · 13 Jul 2012 at 09:23

Im not sure how taxing your coding is, but any home workstation should not really be using more than 8GB of ram, Although not sure how memory expensive a pc becomes when using it as a home server..

the i7's are mainly for video encoding/rendering, stuff that requires lots of threading etc. I'd go for the i5 3570k.

For a computer without a graphics card that psu is really overkill, you'll want a 500-550W PSU, something like this or similar http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-055-OC all in all you could save quite abit by downgrading here and there

drakioned · 13 Jul 2012 at 09:43

name89 said:
the i7's are mainly for video encoding/rendering, stuff that requires lots of threading etc. I'd go for the i5 3570k.

Compiling is a threaded activity. But I agree, the i7 is probably not worth the extra cost.

I would split the activities though, get a HP Proliant microserver for a file server and have the coding computer separate. Your file server would be something that you want to leave 24/7, put in the corner, and forget about, there's no sense in leaving on a high power machine for this.

Engram · 13 Jul 2012 at 10:10

name89 said:
Im not sure how taxing your coding is, but any home workstation should not really be using more than 8GB of ram, Although not sure how memory expensive a pc becomes when using it as a home server..

He uses Visual Studio, SQL Server and Virtual Machines and you advise against 16GB of RAM?!! :eek:

stonesbg, 16GB of RAM is entirely appropriate for your workstation scenario - go for it.

Doomedspeed · 13 Jul 2012 at 11:03

Engram said:
He uses Visual Studio, SQL Server and Virtual Machines and you advise against 16GB of RAM?!!

stonesbg, 16GB of RAM is entirely appropriate for your workstation scenario - go for it.

Agreed, for a workstation 16GB of RAM is a stable. Not often, but at points you could probably use 8gb+ so 16GB will help no end.

That PSU is hugely over specced, 500W will do.

atmax1 · 13 Jul 2012 at 11:15

I would get a separate pc for media but If you need to use the same then I would go with the i5/i7 and 16gb ram so your spec would work nice (my media centre when streaming and playing a movie uses 4+gb ram but I do use the Intel graphics on it)

Admetos · 13 Jul 2012 at 17:28

As a software developer these are points on above.

1) If you’re compiling solutions with many projects then the ability to have 8 threads is a bonus. In addition Visual Studio makes it easier to program multiple threads, if any of this is relevant then get the i7 over i5.

2) 16GB of memory is a must, you can manage with 8GB but why when memory is so cheap.

3) If your computer is close to where you’re working build something that’s quiet. I use the Seasonic X650 and its fan very seldom spins. It’s also up to 92% efficient plus very stable voltage output allowing me to overclock more easy.

4) If you can afford install a separate SSD for your Visual Studio development files. When you build/execute net framework and temp files are accessed on the boot/application SSD, and program code is accessed on your work SSD. Makes builds that bit faster. You can also span your page file over the 2 SSD’s that will help VM environments when memory is low.

5) You don’t mention multiple monitors, I run 3 monitors for development on Nvidia Quadro using Nvidia nview and Nvidia Mosaic. I see 3 monitors as the minimum for the type of work you describe.

jakspyder · 13 Jul 2012 at 17:32

2-3 screens was the first thing i noticed missing. Its hard enough being on 1 screen for general day to day stuff never mind work.

Admetos · 13 Jul 2012 at 17:42

Yes once your use to triple monitors you never want to go back. When I develop in Visual Studio I have the whole application spanned over 3 screens and each screen containing a separate program file. It's great for debugging as you can watch code execution pass between the screens.

A cheap way of running multiple monitors is using Quadro NVS 295 cards, these can be sourced as low as £25 if you search the net.

drakioned · 13 Jul 2012 at 18:05

JasonM said:
1) If you’re compiling solutions with many projects then the ability to have 8 threads is a bonus. In addition Visual Studio makes it easier to program multiple threads, if any of this is relevant then get the i7 over i5.

I really think the i7 would be overkill, if you're doing the type of development that requires a huge amount of power, then you should be looking at dual/quad Xeon machines rather than desktop hardware. If you're not, then I doubt you'd notice the difference between i5 and i7.

JasonM said:
3) If your computer is close to where you’re working build something that’s quiet. I use the Seasonic X650 and its fan very seldom spins. It’s also up to 92% efficient plus very stable voltage output allowing me to overclock more easy.

Shouldn't be overclocking when you're writing code seriously, really just asking for trouble here. It's okay if you're gaming, since no-one cares if one physics calculation is wrong for one bullet in the 6th decimal point, but development systems should be totally stable.

JasonM said:
5) You don’t mention multiple monitors, I run 3 monitors for development on Nvidia Quadro using Nvidia nview and Nvidia Mosaic. I see 3 monitors as the minimum for the type of work you describe.

+1. Having 3 monitors is really handy.

Rooster212 · 13 Jul 2012 at 18:10

As a software dev, i'd say that 2 screens is a minimum, funds don't allow 3 screens for me but I sure would if I could!

I have Visual Studio installed on my boot SSD, starts up in next to no time. When I start it on my MacBook with hard drive I have a to groan cause it takes 30 odd seconds

I know startup time isn't the most important thing but it just works very quick.

Compiles are good.

I also find when I have VS and Photoshop and other stuff open, I often use 10-12GB of RAM, so definitely invest in 16GB, or maybe even get a 2x8GB kit and a 2x4GB kit to give you 24GB, or go for the whole 32, seeing as it is reasonably cheap!

Rooster212 · 13 Jul 2012 at 18:21

YOUR BASKET
1 x Asus P8Z77-V DELUXE Intel Z77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £199.99
1 x Intel Core i5-3570K 3.40GHz (Ivybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor (77W) - Retail £179.99
1 x OCZ Agility 3 240GB 2.5" SATA 6Gb/s Solid State Hard Drive (AGT3-25SAT3-240G) £135.98
2 x Corsair Dominator 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C10 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (CMP16GX3M2A1600C10) £95.99 (191.98)
1 x OcUK Tech Labs - NZXT Source 210 Elite Midi Tower Case Black - Noise Dampened £69.98
1 x XFX Pro 450W Core Edition '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply £41.99
1 x Alpenföhn Matterhorn Pure Edition CPU Cooler (Socket LGA2011/1366/1155/1156/775/ AMD AM3/AM3+/AM2/AM2+/FM1) £29.99
Total : £862.50 (includes shipping : £10.50).

With:

JasonM said:
Quadro NVS 295 cards, these can be sourced as low as £25 if you search the net.

As you haven't included a budget, I've just indicated what I would consider a nice development machine. On top of that, you might want a hard drive if you are going to be streaming media from it. I think the people posting that you should have a seperate streamer is a little overkill, most people won't be developing and watching stuff streamed at the same time!

stonesbg · 13 Jul 2012 at 23:02

Thanks everyone for the comments. I currently have two monitors but will be upgrading soon to three just want to get the new rig all set up first.

My budget right now is about 1,000 euro maybe a 100 extra or so just to get a nice machine.

I will be doing a lot more with some multi threaded applications thats why i was kind of leaning towards that.

Keep the comments coming.

Admetos · 14 Jul 2012 at 00:11

drakioned said:
I really think the i7 would be overkill, if you're doing the type of development that requires a huge amount of power, then you should be looking at dual/quad Xeon machines rather than desktop hardware. If you're not, then I doubt you'd notice the difference between i5 and i7.

Visual studio has an option to specify the number of threads to use when building. If you have a solution with many projects the i7 would be preferred. There is also a trend for multi-threaded development, if your developing this type of software more processor threads would help.

I don't understand the argument for Xeon hardware. As a developer you develop on desktop hardware, then test and deploy to server hardware.

drakioned said:
Shouldn't be overclocking when you're writing code seriously, really just asking for trouble here. It's okay if you're gaming, since no-one cares if one physics calculation is wrong for one bullet in the 6th decimal point, but development systems should be totally stable.

It depends on how much you overclock by and how much stability testing you have done. Anything from 10-20% extra that keep easily within Intel temps and voltage should be fine.