Workstation

[vovka]

All suggestions are personal. Please make your own researches before purchasing.

Configuration based on Performance/Price/Stability relation.

CPU: Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz, overclock to 3.6Ghz (see below for overclock settings)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202
This processor is lowest cost in Core i7 class, by default settings outperform Core 2 extreme and AMD CPU's. (Tomms hardware tests)

Motherboard: ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 LGA 1366 Intel X58
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131365
Stable, many additional USB and Firewire ports. Dual Network. Easy to overclock.

CPU fan: Noctua NH-U12P SE1366
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608007
Quiet, keeping CPU cool in overclock state. With full load (24/7 rendering) CPU temp in overclock settings around 60C.

Memory: OCZ XMP Ready Series 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (get 2 kits, total 12GB RAM)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227388
XMP type memory, stable on overclocking. 12GB helps with running multiple application.
Can run Vue in background render mode and continue working in GUI mode with out loosing performance.

Video card: EVGA 896-P3-1171-AR GeForce GTX 275 Superclocked Edition 896MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130478
Be sure to get latest video driver from nVidia site. Good video card help a lot with lots polygons displaying on screen.

Power supply: CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009
Very quiet, lots SATA and PCI-e connectors.

Hard drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST31000528AS 1TB 7200 RPM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148433
Low cost reliable HD. Suggested settings: 4 HD, 2 set in RAID 0 for OC and apps.
1 - set as working data HD, 1 - set as backup HD.
You can use 2Tb for data/backup HD. 1.5 and 2Tb HD do not recommended for RAID0 due to locking issue in some cases. Also bootble RAID 0 have OS limitation to max size only 2Tb.
For max speed get 2x300Gbt SAS drives (Motherboard support)

Case :Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021
little bit tide inside, but good on air flow. For dual SLI get bigger case. All components on this list will fit in this case.

DVD/BR drive: LITE-ON Black 8X BD-ROM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM SATA Internal Blu-ray Disc Combo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106292
reliable universal drive. if you need burn BR discs , upgrade to burner.

BoostReady add on: Patriot Xporter XT Boost 4GB Flash Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220251
Set as boost ready device in Vista or Windows 7. Help with disk cashing.

[vovka]

Overclocking:
3.6Ghz stable.
* Ai Overclock Tuner: Manual
* Intel(R) SpeedStep(TM) Tech: Disabled
* Intel(R) Turbo Mode Tech: Disabled
* BCLK Frequency: 180
* PCIE Frequency: 100
* DRAM Frequency: DDR3-1443MHz
* CPU Voltage: 1.30
* CPU PLL Voltage: 1.90
* QPI/DRAM Core Voltage: 1.30
* DRAM Bus Voltage: 1.64
* CPU Differential Amplitude: 800mV




additional info:
http://www.overclock.net/intel-cpus/530860-how-overclock-core-i7-920-asus.html
http://www.kombitz.com/2009/04/06/overclocking-core-i7-920-on-asus-p6t/
http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,2845,2335842,00.asp

[vovka]

Monitors:
here is three suggestions. Setup at list as Dual monitor system.

Acer X233Hbid Black 23" 5ms HDMI Full 1080P Widescreen LCD Monitor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009163

SAMSUNG 2343BWX High Glossy Black 23" 5ms 16:9 Widescreen, High density.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001317

Hanns·G HG-281DPB Black 27.5" 3ms Widescreen LCD HDMI Monitor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824254026

[vovka]

Peripherals:

Keyboard: Logitech 920-000914 Black 106 Normal Keys Wired Ultra-thin Illuminated Keyboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126043

Mouse:Logitech MX Revolution Black 7 Buttons 2 x Wheels USB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826104015

3D controller: 3Dconnexion Space navigator
http://www.3dconnexion.com/3dmouse/spacenavigator.php

Pad: Wacome pad
http://www.wacom.com/intuos/

[vovka]

with configuration above Windows 7 was installed with out any problem and all devices detected properly.

[Mannie]

Looks good, but i just got a new one. I am allways scared to overclock if it braks i cannot afford to get new one

[vovka]

All my render nodes run in overclock mode (not extreme overclock) , no fail in years.
Few rules on overclocking:
- Best cooling, do not cheap out on this one.
- Reliable, best rated (by users) hardware
- Read reviews
- Read more reviews
- Use safe overclocking, do not push to max.
- Use Intel CPU, they design to be overclocked.

With good cooling overclock PC will work very long time.

[Mannie]

Will look into what cooling is in this one i got, or if it has cooling cause this one i don't hear

[Gary Miller]

Now this is awesome.

[vovka]

Case :Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX
little bit to small, all fits right, but go with larger case,
xCilo or Antec Twelve Hundred

My overclock temperature max 72C , when i overclock down to 3.2, it's still reach 72C. So i don't see real reason to overclock down to 3.2, same stability, same tempeature on full load.

Temperature was consistant (65C-71C) over 7 days non stop rendering with 100% load on all CPU's
I even manage to play WoW at same time.
Right now it's burn in time over two weeks with most time 100% load.

[synergy543]

Total cost = ?

[vovka]

Price may change depend on promotions or resaler
MB: $280
CPU: $260
Memory: $120 (x2) $240
CPU Fan: $70
Case: $100
PWS: $90
DVD: $25
HD: $80 (x4) $320
Video: $220

About $1605
----------------------
Plus LCD monitors $160-$200 each
Keyboard: $50
Mouse: $50
----------------------
OS: $150

[jayem]

it's been a while since you posted these hardware suggestions (thank you very much), i am wondering if you have any further thoughts on this build. anything you would do differently today?

thank you

[vovka]

This PC is overclocked and running 24/7 with no problems for many month already.
I know also many people who build same configuration and have same result.
It is expensive to upgrade (rebuild in most cases) computer, propobly in year or so I will update settings.
Over all if you want update this settings to most current here is steps:
- Mother board, get latest revision, in many cases, manufacturer will inform what motherboard replacing old one.
- CPU check for the price/speed rate. I did found out that if you stick with lowest CPU in highest group you get best benefits for price you paying.
example: intel core i7 - highest group, and model 860 lowest model - this will be best deal. with some exeptions, like sales or promotions.

[vovka]

Small update on hardware:
DVD/BR drive: LITE-ON Black 8X BD-ROM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM SATA Internal Blu-ray Disc Combo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6827106292

Not recomended, fail on 2 PC after year, replaced by :
LG Black 10X Blu-ray Burner - Bulk SATA WH10LS30 LightScribe Support - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/NewProduct.aspx?Item=N82E16827136181