Buying/Building CFD Desktop

nicholas.jones · September 22, 2015, 18:23

Hey all,

Getting ready to purchase CFD desktop, was looking for some comments/criticism. Primary use is OpenFOAM, with some pre/post processing. May throw on AutoCAD in a few months, if Windows is installed alongside Ubuntu.

Parts list is available at: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/JcQNbv

Summary is:

CPU: Intel Core i7-5820K 3.3GHz 6-Core Processor
Motherboard: Asus X99-A/USB 3.1 ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws 4 series 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4-2800
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 950 2GB Video Card
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply

I have a monitor/keyboard/mouse/1TB HDD/thermal compound that I can use, so dont need to buy those.

What do you think?

flotus1 · September 24, 2015, 07:06

Looks reasonable.
But since you asked for thoughts, here are mine

Depending on how much you want to overclock the CPU and how noise-sensitive you are, a better cooler for the CPU might be needed. Same thing for the power supply. An extra fan for the case might also be a good idea.
For the video card: I don't know if the GTX 950 has any specific features you need. In terms of performance, a GTX 750 TI with 2 GB VRAM will get the job done for a lower price.

nicholas.jones · September 24, 2015, 08:11

Hey Alex,

Thanks for the tips!

nicholas.jones · October 1, 2015, 15:38

Quick update for anyone interested,

Computer runs great, been using MPPICFoam/Goldschmidt tutorial as a benchmark. Solves in 16.5 minutes after tweaking. Turned off hyperthreading, overclocked to 4500 MHz. When running, temperatures are around 60 +/- 5C, brief peaks at 75C. Quiet and stable operation suitable for an office.

Although I didnt make any changes to the original build, the decrease from 950 to 750 TI seems like a reasonable cost-saving choice.

September 22, 2015, 18:23	Buying/Building CFD Desktop	#1
nicholas.jones New Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 23 Rep Power: 10	Hey all, Getting ready to purchase CFD desktop, was looking for some comments/criticism. Primary use is OpenFOAM, with some pre/post processing. May throw on AutoCAD in a few months, if Windows is installed alongside Ubuntu. Parts list is available at: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/JcQNbv Summary is: CPU: Intel Core i7-5820K 3.3GHz 6-Core Processor Motherboard: Asus X99-A/USB 3.1 ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws 4 series 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4-2800 Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 950 2GB Video Card Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply I have a monitor/keyboard/mouse/1TB HDD/thermal compound that I can use, so dont need to buy those. What do you think?

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September 24, 2015, 07:06		#2
flotus1 Super Moderator Alex Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Germany Posts: 3,399 Rep Power: 46	Looks reasonable. But since you asked for thoughts, here are mine Depending on how much you want to overclock the CPU and how noise-sensitive you are, a better cooler for the CPU might be needed. Same thing for the power supply. An extra fan for the case might also be a good idea. For the video card: I don't know if the GTX 950 has any specific features you need. In terms of performance, a GTX 750 TI with 2 GB VRAM will get the job done for a lower price.

September 24, 2015, 08:11		#3
nicholas.jones New Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 23 Rep Power: 10	Hey Alex, Thanks for the tips!

October 1, 2015, 15:38		#4
nicholas.jones New Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 23 Rep Power: 10	Quick update for anyone interested, Computer runs great, been using MPPICFoam/Goldschmidt tutorial as a benchmark. Solves in 16.5 minutes after tweaking. Turned off hyperthreading, overclocked to 4500 MHz. When running, temperatures are around 60 +/- 5C, brief peaks at 75C. Quiet and stable operation suitable for an office. Although I didnt make any changes to the original build, the decrease from 950 to 750 TI seems like a reasonable cost-saving choice.