[Nikolas]

So I'm starting to enter the realm of workstation apps and most of all I would like to have a PC that can handle and work with CFD, among other workstation apps, so I have here list that I would like to build and your thoughts on it would be much appreciated. I'm trying to have a build that is future proof and multi-dimensional as well in the fact that it can handle other programs.

i5-9600K or i5-8600K
MSI X470
Kingston SSDNow UV400 480GB
G.SKILL FORTIS Series 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4 2400MHz CL15

As for video card and power supply I'm not too sure about...

[vbchris]

CPU's are effectively equivalent.

Edit: I am mistaken about the RAM I think.

[Simbelmynë]

Although there are many many threads about this in the forum (you could easily just have read one or two of the threads on the main page of the hardware forum...) I will give you some general suggestions.


If you are going to do CFD simulations then you should opt for the following (in this particular order)


1. Memory bandwidth
2. Memory bandwidth
3. Memory bandwidth


This means that you wish to run a system with A) many memory channels and B) High memory frequency.



In my country a 1900X Threadripper costs about the same as a 9600K. The threadripper has 4 memory channels whereas the Skylake refresh refresh refresh refresh has 2 memory channels. However, the total cost will be higher due to the expensive TR motherboards and the (likely) added amount of memory.


You should also opt for dual rank (2R) memory if possible. ASUS has some motherboards that support DDR4 speeds up to 3600 MHz in dual rank (or 4000+ MHz single rank, which probably gives you the same performance). Check the qualified vendor memory list before you purchase anything.



Finally; if you accept buying used systems then you should look at the Xeon 26xx v2 processor family. A dual CPU 2690v2 system gives you 8 memory channels (filled cheap DDR3 memory instead of really expensive DDR4).