PC build check for high end GPU

Surrender

I've specced the following from Komplett to run with a Nvidia quadro fx 5600 . I need the 5600 for doing intense mathematical modelling. I wanted a 1200W PSU because I may want to add another of these cards later on down the line.



A rookie question here - Is the motherboard and Ram 100% compatible? (Ram is ddr2 sdram, 240 pin dimms, CL4 and the mainboard (Asus P5Q -E ) supports 6400 chips).

This machine is for work only, not interested in playing games on it but it still needs to be able to handle serious bandwidth between the mainboard, ram and GPU. I'm worried that what I have may not be up to the task.

Any advice folks?

uberpixie

1) PSU is overkill. A 600W will do the job more efficently and save you money on your power bills (you will still have enough watts left over on a 600W for a 2nd FX5600...)

http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=327672 (go with this, great quailty and low noise)

2) Ram should be fine: mobo is DDR2, ram is DDR2.

3) The quad core you have picked only has 1.5mb of cache per core: the higher end quads have 3mb of cache per core: this may or may not impact on performance depending on the applications used. You will need to research this.

options: a Q6600 with 8mb cache (2mb per core)
or a Q9450 2.66GHz or up which come with 12mb cache. (3mb per core)

4) For the case: Antec P182
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=341841

One of the best air colled cases on the market which will keep all your components cool and reduce noise greatly. (the money saved on the 1200W PSU will cover the case....)

NEVER skimp on the case. Heat and noise are issues long term and nothing more annoying than a loud PC.

If you find the default case fans in the Antec 120mm too loud: http://www.quietpc.com/ie-en-eur/manufacturers/scythe
scythe flex 120mm case @ 1200RPM will do nicely.

Solitaire

This is probably the first build I would have recommended a Corei7 setup for

Perhaps a little too expensive even with the reduction in PSU price though...

Surrender

Thanks folks for the info - I'd love to go the Corei7 route but it's too much at the minute.

I was talking to a few guys in a lab in Antwerp who have a 3 GPU's (NVidia Tesla's) and have a 1500W PSU. They told me to stick with the 1200W. I'd be thinking along the lines that the quadro fx 5400 only requires 175W but...

Upgraded the case to uberpixie's spec. Thanks.

Also good spot on the Processor cache uberpixie - I've slotted in an 8MB Q6700.

uberpixie

Surrender wrote: »

Thanks folks for the info - I'd love to go the Corei7 route but it's too much at the minute.

I was talking to a few guys in a lab in Antwerp who have a 3 GPU's (NVidia Tesla's) and have a 1500W PSU. They told me to stick with the 1200W. I'd be thinking along the lines that the quadro fx 5400 only requires 175W but...

Upgraded the case to uberpixie's spec. Thanks.

Also good spot on the Processor cache uberpixie - I've slotted in an 8MB Q6700.

Again I would say 620W would be more than enough and MUCH quiter than a 1200W

Have a look at this review: http://www.beyond3d.com/content/reviews/40/3

The test system used was a Dual Xeon rig (x2 quad core 2.66 GHz) A shed load of ram and a fx 5600: total power draw was 400W...

620W would be well able to power a dual Fx5600 system. If you felt a bit sus get a corsair 750W.

http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=340678

Remember the 1200W psus are a bit longer than regualr Psus are are not the quietest. (this is the real concern long term!)

1200W is total overkill. Max power draw of an fx 5600 is 171 Watts....

a 1200w is x3 the cost of a 750W for no benefit tbh...