Workstation build with 1600$ budget
 

Hey everyone,

I am a student who is looking to build a workstation exclusively for CFD. My interest would mainly be simulating small ICE engines and gas turbines and also some vehicle aerodynamics. The software I would be using is fluent and CFX (I may be able to get my hands on Star-CCM+ in the future). I have a budget of 1600 CAD (1150 usd) so I was thinking of picking up a 2x e5 v4 workstation off ebay. However, I am now considering building my own if I can get more performance out of it so what would your suggestions be? I saw on ebay some 1st and 2nd gen epyc processors (like https://www.ebay.ca/itm/265932042915) so what would be your opinion on a build around those processors? And how would they compare to this (https://www.ebay.ca/itm/175350464533) pc?

Thanks,

A dual 24+ core EPYC Rome workstation would blow away that dual Broadwell machine, but I can't imagine you sourcing one within your budget. But even a single 24-32 core EPYC Rome machine would likely beat the dual Broadwell setup, since it would have eight channels of 2933-3200 MT/s memory instead of eight total channels of 2400 MT/s memory. Not to mention that Rome clocks higher and performs more instructions per clock (IPC) than the ancient Broadwell processors. I'd stay away from EPYC Naples; it had myriad weird memory issues.

Used Rome hardware is the price/performance king for CFD workstations right now, IMHO. I see used EPYC 7402P (single socket 24-core) on Ebay for US$450; there are even some SuperMicro motherboard combos with that CPU for US$760. That might slip in under your budget if you can get used deals on RAM/case/PSU/GPU.

Thanks. I was thinking of trying a 24/32c rome processor with a supermicro motherboard. Do you have any advice on cheap gpus/psus/case for this particular build?

I know that millions of perfectly-functional computer cases/PSUs get thrown away every year, but surprisingly it's hard to find good deals on EBay (mostly due to the shipping costs involved). If you dig in to local corporation/university surplus liquidation, you can probably get those things for nearly-free. Facebook marketplace is probably another good option. Just beware of proprietary Dell/Lenovo/HP/etc. cases/PSUs that won't work with off-the-shelf mobos.

For GPUs, it looks like you can get some Maxwell-generation workstation GPU that would be sufficient for most CFD pre/post for like $50 on EBay (i.e. Quadro M2000). But I'd look in to OpenGL driver compatibility for the pre/post software you plan to use first.

I'll probably try my local uni first, thanks.

Hello,

Looking at local universities is indeed a very good idea. I was able to get a box that is still in very good condition for a lower price with this method in the past.