Workstation for CFX

SirSirio · November 10, 2016, 06:46

Hello Guys! I am buying a workstation which I need to run CFX for turbomachinery (pumps). I was reading other posts and the CPU which you talk are too expensive for my budget. I would like to know if this configuration can suits to my needs:

- Processor intel Xeon E5-2630 v4 (10C, 2.2GHz, 3.1GHz Turbo, 2133MHz, 25MB, 85W)
- RAM 32GB (4x8GB) 2400MHz DDR4 RDIMM ECC
- Video Card NVIDIA® Quadro® M2000 4GB

I am a beginner about computer components so I don't know if this setup can work. For this reason I would like to know if is better to change the video card (e.g. a K1200 or k620) and to invest more money on a better cpu or more ram. Could you give me a hint? Thanks!

flotus1 · November 10, 2016, 08:24

Choosing a suitable processor starts with making up your mind about how many parallel licenses you have. And of course knowing how much money you can spend and where to buy the PC.

A Quadro M2000 will most likely be a waste of money in a low-range CFD workstation. A Quadro K1200 for half the price should be more than enough.
The amount of memory depends on the model sizes you will be working on. A very rough estimate is 1GB of RAM per 1 million cells for simple aerodynamic cases. Additional, more sophisticated physical models can increase the memory requirements.

SirSirio · November 10, 2016, 09:15

Thanks flotus1 for your answer.
Keep searching to better understand what I'm going to buy, I think you're right about the video card so I am thinking to buy a k1200 (DDR5) or even a k620(DDR3). I think I could buy a SSD for boot HD with the money saved from video card.
I just don't know if the DDR3 could cause compatibility problems with other components, could it be?

I am trying to understand how many licenses we have, I am waiting an answer from my department, but I am almost sure I will get a 2630 v4 or even a 2640 v4.

I won't turn off my pc often, do you think I should choose a liquid cooling instead air?
Thanks.

flotus1 · November 10, 2016, 10:04

DDR3 instead of GDDR5 on a graphics card will not cause any compatibility issues. It just makes the graphics card slower.
When choosing a CPU keep in mind that the Xeon processors with model numbers 2xxx are intended for dual-socket systems. They will run on single-socket board, but you pay extra for this ability.
For a single-CPU workstation Xeon E5-1xxx should be taken into account. Or Core-I7 if ECC-RAM is not needed (it is usually not in a small CFD workstation with one CPU).
Water cooling is unnecessary for the CPUs we are talking about here. A decent air cooler and enough ventilation in the case are sufficient.

SirSirio · November 10, 2016, 11:18

This is so weird because on dell's site I can't select a motherboard when choosing a processor, I need to understand if they will change the motherboard according to the selected processor. Thanks for your answers.

flotus1 · November 10, 2016, 13:21

Not weird at all. Some of Dells workstations only allow for single-CPU setups. Some others can be configured with one or two CPUs. Dell decides which of their motherboards fits best.

November 10, 2016, 06:46	Workstation for CFX	#1
SirSirio New Member Federico Join Date: Nov 2016 Posts: 3 Rep Power: 9	Hello Guys! I am buying a workstation which I need to run CFX for turbomachinery (pumps). I was reading other posts and the CPU which you talk are too expensive for my budget. I would like to know if this configuration can suits to my needs: - Processor intel Xeon E5-2630 v4 (10C, 2.2GHz, 3.1GHz Turbo, 2133MHz, 25MB, 85W) - RAM 32GB (4x8GB) 2400MHz DDR4 RDIMM ECC - Video Card NVIDIA® Quadro® M2000 4GB I am a beginner about computer components so I don't know if this setup can work. For this reason I would like to know if is better to change the video card (e.g. a K1200 or k620) and to invest more money on a better cpu or more ram. Could you give me a hint? Thanks!

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November 10, 2016, 08:24		#2
flotus1 Super Moderator Alex Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Germany Posts: 3,399 Rep Power: 46	Choosing a suitable processor starts with making up your mind about how many parallel licenses you have. And of course knowing how much money you can spend and where to buy the PC. A Quadro M2000 will most likely be a waste of money in a low-range CFD workstation. A Quadro K1200 for half the price should be more than enough. The amount of memory depends on the model sizes you will be working on. A very rough estimate is 1GB of RAM per 1 million cells for simple aerodynamic cases. Additional, more sophisticated physical models can increase the memory requirements.

November 10, 2016, 09:15		#3
SirSirio New Member Federico Join Date: Nov 2016 Posts: 3 Rep Power: 9	Thanks flotus1 for your answer. Keep searching to better understand what I'm going to buy, I think you're right about the video card so I am thinking to buy a k1200 (DDR5) or even a k620(DDR3). I think I could buy a SSD for boot HD with the money saved from video card. I just don't know if the DDR3 could cause compatibility problems with other components, could it be? I am trying to understand how many licenses we have, I am waiting an answer from my department, but I am almost sure I will get a 2630 v4 or even a 2640 v4. I won't turn off my pc often, do you think I should choose a liquid cooling instead air? Thanks.

November 10, 2016, 10:04		#4
flotus1 Super Moderator Alex Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Germany Posts: 3,399 Rep Power: 46	DDR3 instead of GDDR5 on a graphics card will not cause any compatibility issues. It just makes the graphics card slower. When choosing a CPU keep in mind that the Xeon processors with model numbers 2xxx are intended for dual-socket systems. They will run on single-socket board, but you pay extra for this ability. For a single-CPU workstation Xeon E5-1xxx should be taken into account. Or Core-I7 if ECC-RAM is not needed (it is usually not in a small CFD workstation with one CPU). Water cooling is unnecessary for the CPUs we are talking about here. A decent air cooler and enough ventilation in the case are sufficient.

November 10, 2016, 11:18		#5
SirSirio New Member Federico Join Date: Nov 2016 Posts: 3 Rep Power: 9	This is so weird because on dell's site I can't select a motherboard when choosing a processor, I need to understand if they will change the motherboard according to the selected processor. Thanks for your answers.

November 10, 2016, 13:21		#6
flotus1 Super Moderator Alex Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Germany Posts: 3,399 Rep Power: 46	Not weird at all. Some of Dells workstations only allow for single-CPU setups. Some others can be configured with one or two CPUs. Dell decides which of their motherboards fits best.