Build with high effiency CPU

jakethejake · April 12, 2018, 15:00

Hey guys,

I would like to build up a private Tower-PC for multiple purposes. A little bit of Gaming and multimedia stuff but I also want to do some Fun-Simulations with OpenFOAM and do some Pre- and Postprocessing. All in all just private stuff and in generell no big simulation cases (most of the time some aerodynamics or CHT). But if I have some bigger case setups sometimes I could also imagine to run it overnight. On the other hand I dont want the PC to increase my power bill too much, therefore im looking for an energy efficient system.

As it comes with CFD the CPUs are kind of under full load when running simulations. Knowning that i want a CPU with a good performance to power consumption ratio. My budget I want to spend is <= 1000 Euro. With this budget I think a 6 core CPU with around 32 gb RAM is realistic.
I was following this threads conclusions:
Budget build for FEA/CFD n00b
I read that Intel has a better per core performance than the Ryzens from AMD. So I think I will go for Intel.
Suggested builds:
Z370 platform with i5 8400 or 8600k | x99 platform with i7 6800k

Second build should give a better performance because of 4 memory channels of the CPU. But what about the power consumption of these two builds assuming same Graphics card and same RAM ~32 GB. Would I see any difference on the power bill in the end?
Or is any other CPU interesting for my purposes?

Cheers!

flotus1 · April 13, 2018, 03:15

If you care about power consumption that much, stay away from all quad-channel consumer platforms. They draw more power both idle and load. And you would need to overclock an I7-6800k in order to get significantly better performance than with an I5-8600k or I7-8700k.

Simbelmynë · April 13, 2018, 05:34

I suggest to calculate the total cost over the life-span of your system. You need to estimate how much power-on you have on your setup (sounds like you will not run even close to 24/7). Seeing that a CPU has a power of 100-150 W you can estimate that each day (24h) that you run your simulations will set you back some 3 kWh. Not sure what energy cost you have in your country, but let's assume it is 0.2 Euro/kWh.

If you spend 1/3 of your time (you will likely spend way less) doing simulations, then you are looking at a yearly cost of (365*0.2) 73 Euro.

With a more efficient CPU you may be able to cut the cost in half, so let's say 35 Euro for the most efficient build.

Over 3 years (computer life-time) you save 100 Euro. And most likely way less since you will not run simulations for 1/3 of the time.

My conclusion is that this is a no-issue for a home computer.

8600k will be most likely be fine.

April 12, 2018, 15:00	Build with high effiency CPU	#1
jakethejake New Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 10 Rep Power: 10	Hey guys, I would like to build up a private Tower-PC for multiple purposes. A little bit of Gaming and multimedia stuff but I also want to do some Fun-Simulations with OpenFOAM and do some Pre- and Postprocessing. All in all just private stuff and in generell no big simulation cases (most of the time some aerodynamics or CHT). But if I have some bigger case setups sometimes I could also imagine to run it overnight. On the other hand I dont want the PC to increase my power bill too much, therefore im looking for an energy efficient system. As it comes with CFD the CPUs are kind of under full load when running simulations. Knowning that i want a CPU with a good performance to power consumption ratio. My budget I want to spend is <= 1000 Euro. With this budget I think a 6 core CPU with around 32 gb RAM is realistic. I was following this threads conclusions: Budget build for FEA/CFD n00b I read that Intel has a better per core performance than the Ryzens from AMD. So I think I will go for Intel. Suggested builds: Z370 platform with i5 8400 or 8600k \| x99 platform with i7 6800k Second build should give a better performance because of 4 memory channels of the CPU. But what about the power consumption of these two builds assuming same Graphics card and same RAM ~32 GB. Would I see any difference on the power bill in the end? Or is any other CPU interesting for my purposes? Cheers! cccm likes this.

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April 13, 2018, 03:15		#2
flotus1 Super Moderator Alex Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Germany Posts: 3,399 Rep Power: 46	If you care about power consumption that much, stay away from all quad-channel consumer platforms. They draw more power both idle and load. And you would need to overclock an I7-6800k in order to get significantly better performance than with an I5-8600k or I7-8700k.

April 13, 2018, 05:34		#3
Simbelmynë Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 546 Rep Power: 15	I suggest to calculate the total cost over the life-span of your system. You need to estimate how much power-on you have on your setup (sounds like you will not run even close to 24/7). Seeing that a CPU has a power of 100-150 W you can estimate that each day (24h) that you run your simulations will set you back some 3 kWh. Not sure what energy cost you have in your country, but let's assume it is 0.2 Euro/kWh. If you spend 1/3 of your time (you will likely spend way less) doing simulations, then you are looking at a yearly cost of (365*0.2) 73 Euro. With a more efficient CPU you may be able to cut the cost in half, so let's say 35 Euro for the most efficient build. Over 3 years (computer life-time) you save 100 Euro. And most likely way less since you will not run simulations for 1/3 of the time. My conclusion is that this is a no-issue for a home computer. 8600k will be most likely be fine.