Best Desktop for FDS

jfpe · February 16, 2016, 16:13

Hello,

I am attempting to create a desktop computer that is best suited to perform FDS (Fire Dynamics Simulator) simulations. FDS requires high processing power, multiple cores, and a large amount of RAM. An "average" graphics card is sufficient.

I am not too proficient in understanding computer hardware, but I do know that I would prefer a single computer over a cluster for our scenarios. At least 4 real cores is a necessity and at least 32 GB RAM.

I appreciate the help!

flotus1 · February 16, 2016, 17:33

Choosing the right hardware depends on how much money you can or want to spend. Even for a single CFD workstation there is a price range between a few hundred and several tens of thousands of dollars.
The best value in the lower price region is still the Intel I7-5820k processor. Its successor is scheduled for release mid 2016. You can build a decent workstation around it for about 1500$.

jfpe · February 17, 2016, 08:17

Thanks for the response! What would you recommend for a mid-range build in the neighborhood of $5k?

flotus1 · February 17, 2016, 09:00

If you have enough licenses for 20 cores, I would recommend a machine with 2 Xeon E5-2660 v3 processors, 128 GB of RAM and a Quadro K2200 Graphics card (or a similar Card with at least 4GB of VRAM). The Xeon E5-2687W v3 would be an even better choice for a CFD workstation but is a little expensive. At least that is what you get spending 5000$ on parts and putting the system together yourself

Buying a pre-built system including service and maintenance you can expect to get 2 slower six- or 8-Core Xeon Processors (Xeon E5-2630 v3) and 64 GB of RAM for 5000$.

Out_of_exile · January 21, 2021, 04:21

Hey there

I have the Same Plan, so i Hope its okay to use this existing Threads.
My Name ist Eric and i want to build a PC for simple FDS Projects (~0,5->1 Mio Cells). Big Ones will be Run on a bought Servertime.

What do you think about using a i7-9700 With 32GB of ram? At the Same Price level i could buy the Ryzen 2700x or 3600x. But AS far as i Inderstand FDS prefers Intel. Do you know better?

Thx a lot, eric

February 16, 2016, 16:13	Best Desktop for FDS	#1
jfpe New Member J Join Date: Feb 2016 Posts: 2 Rep Power: 0	Hello, I am attempting to create a desktop computer that is best suited to perform FDS (Fire Dynamics Simulator) simulations. FDS requires high processing power, multiple cores, and a large amount of RAM. An "average" graphics card is sufficient. I am not too proficient in understanding computer hardware, but I do know that I would prefer a single computer over a cluster for our scenarios. At least 4 real cores is a necessity and at least 32 GB RAM. I appreciate the help!

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February 16, 2016, 17:33		#2
flotus1 Super Moderator Alex Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Germany Posts: 3,399 Rep Power: 46	Choosing the right hardware depends on how much money you can or want to spend. Even for a single CFD workstation there is a price range between a few hundred and several tens of thousands of dollars. The best value in the lower price region is still the Intel I7-5820k processor. Its successor is scheduled for release mid 2016. You can build a decent workstation around it for about 1500$.

February 17, 2016, 08:17		#3
jfpe New Member J Join Date: Feb 2016 Posts: 2 Rep Power: 0	Thanks for the response! What would you recommend for a mid-range build in the neighborhood of $5k?

February 17, 2016, 09:00		#4
flotus1 Super Moderator Alex Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Germany Posts: 3,399 Rep Power: 46	If you have enough licenses for 20 cores, I would recommend a machine with 2 Xeon E5-2660 v3 processors, 128 GB of RAM and a Quadro K2200 Graphics card (or a similar Card with at least 4GB of VRAM). The Xeon E5-2687W v3 would be an even better choice for a CFD workstation but is a little expensive. At least that is what you get spending 5000$ on parts and putting the system together yourself Buying a pre-built system including service and maintenance you can expect to get 2 slower six- or 8-Core Xeon Processors (Xeon E5-2630 v3) and 64 GB of RAM for 5000$.

January 21, 2021, 04:21		#5
Out_of_exile New Member Deutschland Join Date: Jan 2021 Posts: 1 Rep Power: 0	Hey there I have the Same Plan, so i Hope its okay to use this existing Threads. My Name ist Eric and i want to build a PC for simple FDS Projects (~0,5->1 Mio Cells). Big Ones will be Run on a bought Servertime. What do you think about using a i7-9700 With 32GB of ram? At the Same Price level i could buy the Ryzen 2700x or 3600x. But AS far as i Inderstand FDS prefers Intel. Do you know better? Thx a lot, eric