Data Cruncher Workstation

[imported_sgrofcsik]

Hello,

I'm hoping I can get some help on my new build, been 5 years since my last AMD 3700+. I haven't been up on the technology lately, so my rudimentary method of selecting components is filtering Newegg for "Top Sellers" and sorting by rating.

I’m building a core i7 860 system for running automated trading systems. I’m looking for something that is good at processing large data sets. I'll be pegging my CPUs at 100% for days as I run various calculation intensive simulations. I almost went core i7 920, but I don't care about future upgrade-ability, I don't plan to overclock, and I decided to save a few bucks. If 920 would provide a significant performance increase, I'm all ears.

Budget $1250
Country: USA
Operating System: Windows 7 64 bit
Overclocking: Doubtful
Gaming: No

Applications:
.NET development, (Visual Studio 2010)
SQL Server
Matlab
Multiple Virtual Machines
Office 2007 Excel / VBA

Other considerations:

I already have 4 hard drives that I will be migrating over.

I will be running 3 monitors at 1920x1080 resolution. Hopefully I can recycle the following two video cards that I already have:

- EVGA 256-P2-N376-AX GeForce 6800GT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Support Video Card (Two DVI outputs)

- EVGA 128-P1-N320-LX GeForce FX 5500 128MB 64-bit DDR PCI Low Profile Video Card (One DVI Output)

Build: (These are the components I need help with, subject to the $1250 budget)

- Intel Core i7-860 Lynnfield 2.8GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80605I7860 - $200

- GIGABYTE GA-P55A-UD4P LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard w/ USB 3.0 & SATA 6 Gb/s - $185

- G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL - (109.99) X 2 = $220

- Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case – $110.00

- CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC - $110

Heatsink - (I have no idea, perhaps stock is adequate?)

Total: $825

I appreciate all of your help and look forward to hearing any suggestions.

Cheers,
Steve

 

[lsv]

Looks good, PSU is a bit overboard, 750w is overkill for that setup. If you're long term price conscious then maybe going with a 550w would be better however you do have the ability to cram more drives on that psu. Your call really.

Other then that looks solid.

 

[Blain]

Considering your limited budget and no OCing...
* Core i7-930
* 6GB of 1.5v DDR3
* Save some of that case $$ and get an AZZA Helios 910

"I'll be pegging my CPUs at 100% for days"
* Buy a GOOD heatsink

For all that 24/7 super number crunching, consider swapping those old slow HD's for something solid state.
No need to worry about a CPU load if it's waiting on the HD.

 

[mfenn]

The i7 860 will be good, since it has better turbo modes and you're not overclocking. You don't need anything near a 750W PSU, a ~550W (thishttp://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004) will be more than enough.

Unless you specifically need a feature of the UD4P, consider the GA-P55A-UD3 @ $140 and the GA-P55-USB3 @ $120. They have the same basic features and build quality as the UD4P, but are cheaper. Any of the 3 mobos should be able to use your existing graphics cards with no problems.