General-Purpose High-end Desktop ~£2000

[jgm]

I'm looking to build out a high-end desktop. It will be used for a number of things, including gaming but mainly for running a fair amount of computation/database work as well as multiple (server-type) VMs.

I've managed to get to http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/user/jgm/saved/1x1g so far, and would appreciate any comments or suggestions. Things to note:

- I'm looking to put the two SSDs in to a RAID-0 configuration to maximize performance (not so worried about protection as anything important will be backed up and I can take a hit of a day or two if I need to rebuild)
- The GFX cards are somewhat OTT; I might drop one of them or keep the second one and use it for Bitcoin work

All replies appreciated; thanks in advance.

[chuckskull]

Depending on exactly how many and what kind of VM's you're using jumping to an i7 or SB-E might be worth dropping that second GPU for. You know your workload better than anyone though, so hard to advise on that. I'd probably add a mechanical drive too, unless you already have a good NAS setup. Just remember you only 2 SATA3 slots, rest are SATA2.

Otherwise, solid build.

[jgm]

Thanks for the response. I'm not expecting the VMs to have heavy workloads, it's more for the ability to test interaction between software components running on different servers. But I'll take a close look at the alternative CPUs and have a think if it does make sense to take a different one.

I have some NAS for my important data, but then again I have loads of HDDs lying around so it wouldn't hurt to throw one in. I haven't found that I'm using my current one for anything other than temporary space when I'm reformatting for whatever reason, though, so might just leave it as an external option.

[chuckskull]

Unless you have more than 2-4 computationally intense VM's regularly I'd rule out SB-E it's a serious price jump and much more expensive motherboard for what amounts to 2 extra cores. i7 sounds like it might suit you though, the hyperthreading would probably be beneficial for what you've described. Slots into the same board only £70 extra.

[jgm]

Okay tweaked to add the i7; thanks for your help there.

Is there a similar motherboard around that you know of with another 1 or 2 SATA-3 connections? Just in case I need t put some more high-end storage in there.

[chuckskull]

The 4/2 split is standard on boards in that price range, off the top of my head, http://www.scan.co.uk/products/gigab...-%28x16%29-atx would probably be best. That give you 4 of each.

EDIT: if you want to jump up to that board without breaking the budget consider dropping to XMS3 RAM or similar. Very little performance difference from a couple of hundred mhz and fancy heatsink just aren't necessary.

[chuckskull]

Sorry ignore my motherboard suggestion forgot you wanted Crossfire, was in a hurry. The a couple of versions up the MSI line goes for about £150 and does the 4/4 split on SATA, RAID and crossfire.

http://uk.msi.com/product/mb/Z77A-GD65-GAMING.html
http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/msi-...z77agd65gaming

[jgm]

Thanks again for your help.

Just on to the ordering process and reality intrudes, with some items unavailable. I've tweaked the build to components which I believe are still suitable; any comments on the changes prior to me going ahead with the order(s)?

[chuckskull]

No problem. It looks great. Enjoy.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

The K series CPUs lack VT-D support,and for a socket 1155 motherboard,the MSI is way overpriced. The RAM is way OTT for a socket 1155 build and a waste of money. Remember that Haswell is being released on June the 3rd too.

[jgm]

The K series CPUs lack VT-D support,and for a socket 1155 motherboard,the MSI is way overpriced. The RAM is way OTT for a socket 1155 build and a waste of money. Remember that Haswell is being released on June the 3rd too.

Thanks for the response. Would you suggest that a straight i7-3770 would be a better CPU then, or something else altogether?

I was after more than 2 SATA-3 ports, which is where the MSI board came in to play. Is there anything else that fits this at a lower price point?

Any suggestion on a different set of RAM?

And unfortunately I most likely cannot wait for Haswell (although I'm trying to keep my existing system running for a while it isn't being very friendly to me right no) but apart from the price drop on the 'older' components when it is formally announced is there likely to be any real impact? I'd assume that it will be a few months before all of the manufacturers bring out decent motherboards and the like to support it, and I don't need to be bleeding edge.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

If you are not overclocking one of the Xeon E3 CPUs would make sense. BTW,you have no mechanical HDD in your parts list.

For £2000 you could get a SB-E six core CPU!



The build list is a quick one I done using parts from Scan,and it should cost around £50 less with the free postage you should be able to get from Scan and the cashback on the SSDs. I would also shop around too. You will need to include a mechanical HDD in the parts list too.

Edit!!

If you are not overclocking,this Xeon E3 1230 V2 would be fine:

http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Compo...roductId=55144

You would need a suitable socket 1155 motherboard if you want VT-D support.

[chuckskull]

I had no idea about the K series not having VT-d. Slightly annoyed actually, no huge deal for me as I only use VM's for mucking about and learning, but I thought I'd bloody bought it. Nice of Intel to mention it on the virtualisation page http://ark.intel.com/Products/VirtualizationTechnology Shoulda done my research better.

It's needing crossfire and 4 SATA3 ports that seems to push the price of the board up. http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/asro...rd-z77extreme4 does both.

EDIT: Crossposted. That's stonking for £2k CAT. Just check when ordering you're getting the C2 stepping cpu as the C1 didn't have VT-d either. Shouldn't be any issue by now, but just make sure as it's important to you obviously.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

The K series Haswell CPUs lack TSX support too.

[jgm]

Thanks for all the feedback. I think that I'm now at the stage where I'm happy with the build. Any final thoughts on it?

http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/user/jgm/saved/1x1g

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Since the Xeon E3 1230 V2 cannot really be overclocked much,I would stick with the stock cooler or get a £15 to £20 one if you want it to be quieter.

Not sure what modify VT-D indicates:

http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/Z77%2...wnload&os=BIOS

??

Regarding the PSUs,the XFX is also made by Seasonic like the Corsair. I think the Corsair is based on a higher end series,but I could be wrong there.

BTW,that website does not list Scan,so I would check them too as you can get free postage.

Also,the CPU coolers tend to come with thermal compound pre-applied.