Is X99 worth an investment for me?

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1

Dear TekSyndicate

With the new X99 platform along with DDR4 out, is it worth a purchase with the budget set bellow for the uses?

1. Budget & Location
My current residence is in Ontario, Canada so I will be working with CDN currency. $2000-2700CDN


2. Aim

This is my usage plan:

- Will be using it for watching movies, listening to music browsing, etc (general computing)

- Will be editing videos (maybe even start a youtube channel) and will be editing music (I want to get into DJ'ing and as well I do help out my father in his media business), as well as some moding for video games using Blender, MAYA, etc. 

-3D modeling, physics/other simulation (such as FEA, etc), Some Quantum Mechanics, Matlab/Mathematic Algorithms, Programming (both High and Low Level), image/video analysis, research from the web and data crunching on my own (or have the ability to crunch the data) some sensor data (for like personal research, or stuff I plan to do, like making a small UAV) modifying, etc. (though for more complex things I do have access to a supercomputer courtesy of my work and at my school)

- Some software I have used before: ABAQUS ADAMS SoftwareANSYS ASPEN HYSYSC/C++ CES4Femap FORTRAN Gas Turbine 9GESOP LABVIEW LoftsmanLS-DYNA MAPLE MATHCADMathematica MATLAB MSC SOFTWARENastran, Patran,PTC Pro Engineer and Rapid Prototyping ScannerSTK Tecplot I have personally already used STK, Pro-E (now know as Creo) and Autocad 3D

- I also want it to able to game at higher resolution with good performance (for fast paced shooters, and STARCITIZEN!!)

- I am also curious into going for Folding and SETI and any other scientific computation at home when I am not using my computer for work/play

- I would also like this build to be "future proof" in the sense that I do not need to make a big upgrade (like a new chipset or something) and be easily up gradable

-etc.

As of right now I am working with an institution which is running a project in a orbital cleaning satellite. So I will be running mostly a lot of analytically software and simulators. Most predominate software that are used by the institution are the same software I have listed above. For example besides the CFD and FEA with thermals, I will be expecting to run multi-dynamic orbital simulations as well. In a few months are so I will be doing research on self replicating 3D machines (i.e. 3D printers) and will help in running theoretical calculations and simulations as well. 3D work and CAD are also a given. I will also be doing research and testing on other topics on the side as well and would like my personal computer to be able to handle some complex algorithm and simulations. Also I am entering into my industry as well in the coming 8 months and I would love for a system I won't have to upgrade (chipset and processor) for some time or so.  


3. Monitors
I would want high resolution low input lag monitor. IPS would be nice, but I really don't know. Any input would be nice. I do have a 1080p 60hz 40 inch tv which I plan on using as a secondary monitor for movie watching, etc. 


4. Peripherals
Yes I would need to purchase peripherals, i do not know anything about mechanical switches since I haven't used any. I will be working on my pc alot (a lot of typing and clicking) so it would need to be durable. Also which switches are better for shooters?

I like the new mouse from Logitech, i belive its the prodeus G or something. I would love to have that. For monitor I would love anything between 120-144Hz 1440-1600P 16:9 unless 21:9 is better?

5. Why are you upgrading?
I am upgrading because an upgrade is due since I only have a 2nd generation i5 with a gtx 330m laptop and my project and research is getting demanding and at the same time I would love to switch over to PC gaming and get into media productivity .

 

 Further Notes:

I believe I may have either posted something similar or such either on this forum or the youtube comment section, just looking for some insight into this, i was eyeing the 5960x but I do not know if with the set budget would it be a correct investment over say the 5930k or 5820k? Most of the software (be it analysis package or raw code) does take multi-core cpu to advantage along with the gpu, so In that sense I can see why I would want it. Also I don't have a brand loyalty for gpu at all, as of right now they are kind of similar (baring the amd gpu being better for OpenCL). Any other information needed, do not hesitate to ask.
 
Sorry for long post :)
2

If your video edited at high resolutions like 4K it could help. And with say Maya if you get into really crazy modeling for stuff that is FX quality. Like for movies or pre rendered cut scenes or trailers for games. Then yes I would say you have a use.

If your just do 1080p video and model just for games. Then its not really needed. An mainstream CPU will do just fine. Having said that you will render a lot quicker but you have to ask yourself what that's worth to you.

I can't speak to anything else I don't use them. But if you just want a powerful machine to build for say 5 years. And you have the cash it is the way to go.  

3

Sounds like you need your own super computer.  And for $2000-2700CDN you will just squeak into an x99 platform PC. There won't be anything left for monitors or peripherals.

If you want to get even close to it you will need .......... $3000CDN

4
Is X99 worth an investment for me?

In the immortal words of Yoda ...

Answer that question , only you can.   humm?

5

Sorry boys and girls, was busy with meeting on my satelite project, going through previous years documented work and stuff. Anyway as an update, I am willing to spend $2700 cdn on the tower and parts, cost for mouse, keyboard and monitor aren't included (I have approx 200-300 cdn dollars on the side for that), and the win 8.1 can be had for free thanks to my school. So this is the build I have in mind, what say?

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant
 
CPU: Intel Core i7-5960X 3.0GHz 8-Core Processor  ($1123.98 @ Newegg Canada) 
CPU Cooler: Swiftech H220-X 55.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  ($154.99 @ NCIX) 
Motherboard: MSI X99S SLI Plus ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard  ($261.98 @ Newegg Canada) 
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR4-2133 Memory  ($271.98 @ Newegg Canada) 
Storage: A-Data XPG SX900 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($77.99 @ Canada Computers) 
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($77.78 @ Amazon Canada) 
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 290 4GB WINDFORCE Video Card  ($409.99 @ NCIX) 
Case: Corsair 760T Black ATX Full Tower Case  ($159.99 @ NCIX) 
Power Supply: EVGA 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($109.99 @ NCIX) 
Total: $2608.67
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Lowest price parts chosen from parametric criteria
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-18 00:13 EDT-0400

6

The X99 won't game better than the Z97 ... however it will do computations and renders much better.

I put together a rig that takes full advantage of the new technologies available now.

I went over by $107 ... but I think if you look at the performance gained from the M.2 SSD and the dual GPU numbers ... you will see it is worth every penny ....... 

  • Total: $2715.85CDN

 http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/QsZvsY

  • Intel Core i7-5960X 3.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($1118.95 @ DirectCanada) 

  • Noctua NH-D14 SE2011 CPU Cooler ($84.99 @ Memory Express) 

  • MSI X99S SLI Plus ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard ($254.99 @ Memory Express) 

  • Crucial 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($238.98 @ Newegg Canada)
  •  
  • Boot Drive .... A-Data SP900 M.2 128GB M.2-2280 SSD ($89.99 @ Memory Express)
  •  
  • Storage Drive .... Seagate Barracuda 1TB HDD ($57.99 @ Canada Computers) 

  •  Asus GeForce GTX 760 X2 4GB DirectCU II (DUAL GPU) ($674.98 @ Newegg Canada) 

  • Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Black) ATX Mid Tower ($89.99 @ NCIX) 

  •  XFX ProSeries 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX PSU ($104.99 @ NCIX) 

Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-18 06:35 EDT-0400

The reasons I choose what I did ...

  • .The Noctua NH-D14 CPU cooler is one of the quietest and best coolers on the market.
  • The MSI X99 SLI Plus supports Turbo M.2: delivering next generation M.2 Gen3 x4 performance with transfer speeds up to 32 Gb/s ... so I added the A-Data SP900 M.2 128GB M.2-2280 SSD
  • Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Black) ATX Mid Tower case has sound dampening (silent) & it has great air flow & dust filters & does not take up as much space as a full tower.
  • The  XFX ProSeries 750W 80+ Gold Certified is plenty clean power for the build & is high quality.
  • Saved the best for last ... the Asus GeForce GTX 760 X2 4GB DirectCU II is a dual GPU card that blows away every other card there is it even thrashes the Titan in games and it should render 3d  like a pro.  Here is a link to check out the cards specs and benchmarks ...

http://www.legitreviews.com/asus-mars-760-4gb-video-card-review_131114/4

here is a lnik for the MSI X99 SLI Plus ...

http://www.msi.com/product/mb/X99S-SLI-PLUS.html#hero-overview

In the future I would add an other drive for a back up drive ... always good to save your work and "stuff".

 So what do you think ... is it close to what you are after?

7

Hmm, yes I am aware that for gaming only X99 is overkill, but gaming is like a hobby anyway, the machine is more targeted at the workload I posted on the OP. My questions are as followed, how does the noctua air-cooler do versus water-cooling? Also didn't know M.2 drives were under 100 cdn dollers for 128GB, and for the asus card, do you know how good it is for GPGPU compute, I know the card is good for gaming, but I would like to know the compute capabilities on it.

So far it is decently close to what I am after and I thank you for your help :)

8

It appears I may have made an error with the GPU I choose ... it does very well at FPS at 1080p but fails at higher resolutions overall. And may not be the render GPU and computational wonder I thought it was. I will see if one of the master builders around here can find a better fit.

So killing the GPU I had picked out throws $675 back into the kitty.

The Noctua's do very well ... even in mid level OC'ing but the high end large reservoir water coolers will out perform them.

I'll keep looking for you.  

 

9

http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/Q879nQ Sooooo its the 5960x so 8 cores 16 threads etc. Screaming fast and really it can be a 5 year platform with X99. Paired with the 2 R9 290's I choose you wouldn't even have to consider touching it for 5 years. Should render, game, and 3d model insanely fast at any resolution you want to push. 

10

It was 4 am and was star struck at by the FPS benchmarks ... I have gotten some rest and am thinking more clearly now. Thanks for checking ... good looking out.

And I agree with the 290s

+1 on your build Caveman although I don't have any knowledge of the Club brand. 

11

You should only go for X99 if you want the 8 core part

here is good build based on X79

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/qyDTFT

12

The OP is in Canada using $CDN ... this build is more than $3000CDN over budget. and no CPU cooler

13

Revised with more drives for backup & a larger M.2 boot drive and higher quality parts & a single R9 290 4GB OC edition ... and an 850w platimum rated PSU with enough overhead to add a second GPU in the future. Or a raid array for your data.

Total ......... $2701.83CDN

http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/user/Ratzzz/saved/vmFmP6

 

14

Didn't read that he was in Canada oops..

15

Hey buddy thanks for the reply. Not only will it 3D render and edit like a champ, it would get destroyed in analysis and HPC computing tasks. Which is why I am willing to spend a $1000 for a 8 core unlocked part. Build is good, never heard of club 3D before? I see no reviews on the pcpartpicker site, also I don't *really* need to get crossfire now as well. I like the build, but i am still hesitant on the air cooler, no doubt noctua is good, but its a 8 core part, shouldn't the heat be an issue? Then again I do live in canada, cold winters so...:)

16

BUDDY....BUDDY............... :') That's beautiful :) 

Fractal Define is a good case from all the reviews I have seen, probably better then the 700T, as well I will look at some thermal value for 5960x on air and/or water on the internet if I find any. Otherwise everything else seems good :) 

P.S. From what have heard both blacks and blue are 7200RPM and both share 64mb cache right, why are blacks faster?

17

Club3D is a UK company, and was originally known as Colour Power.  Different from PowerColor.  They have pretty good cards, and are more popular in the UK than they are here in America.

18

One last try ... included your water cooling and had to shrink the M.2 back to 128GB to stay in budget ... and if you don't plan on adding a second GPU in the future  ... you can save $100 or so by going with a lower wattage PSU (would recommend staying with Gold rating or above though) and you can up  the boot drive back up to 256GB.

Total ....... $2716.83CDN

.http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/CZftkL

19

I have to admit I am a huge fan of this case and all their Define series cases .I like a quiet case. 

Blacks have a better warranty (hence the higher cost) than blues other than that they are close to same build quality and specs.

20

As always ... you are a fountain of knowledge ... thanks