Folding, Data Warehousing, Gaming Rig

[K1tty]

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
This build is dependent upon me getting a new job that I've been pursuing at a large data warehousing company. It would run folding 24/7 (when idle), used for gaming, and run a proprietary unix based data warehousing application (this would serve as a sand box).

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
$2000ish - Yes

3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.
Atlanta, GA

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. The word "Everything" is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you'll need.
CPU, Motherboard, RAM, Case

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
I would reuse everything in my signature rig minus the CPU, Mobo, Ram, Case (no support for E-ATX or bigger)

6) Will you be overclocking?
I would like to

7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
1920x1200

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Depends on a job offer, but could be as soon as June 1st

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? eSATA? Onboard video (as a backup or main GPU)? UEFI? etc.
RAID, SLI support, USB 3.0, SATA 6Gb/s, eSATA

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
Yes, 64-bit win 7 ult

My proposed build would be:

Evga SR-2 B-Stock from EVGA (from what I hear SR-X isn't worth it) - $399
2 x Xeon E5645 - $1116
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 24GB (6 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 - $150
NZXT Switch 810 white - $169
Total: $1835

For cooling I would add a RX360 or similar with another XSPC Raystorm block
RX360 - $95
Raystorm - $63

That puts me at $1993 before shipping/tax

My main question is, would this be worth it now? Or should I save up more and go AMD 4P, or wait for SR-X to be a more viable option?

 

[Dangman]

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Depends on a job offer, but could be as soon as June 1st

Please come back when you know for sure that you can afford to build the PC. Our parts recommendations monthly and sometimes even weekly. For all we know it may be another 3 months before you can start the build. In addition, in order to save you money, we generally use Newegg's combo deals but those expire at the end of every month. As such, May's combo deals more than likely won't be valid during June.

My main question is, would this be worth it now? Or should I save up more and go AMD 4P, or wait for SR-X to be a more viable option?

IMO no. The one year warranty on that SR-2 motherboard effectively kills the whole setup IMO.

EDIT: Also any 4P setup is out of the question if you want to use Windows 7 as Windows 7 only supports up to two physical CPUs. You would need Windows Server 2K8 R2 with SP1 in order to get Windows and 4P support.

 

[K1tty]

I'll know Monday more or less when I can build this for sure. But let's assume I'll order parts this month.
I missed that the B-stock only has a one year warranty. That's definitely not worth it, in fact if I got an EVGA board I would likely purchase the extended warranty if available.

EDIT: Also any 4P setup is out of the question if you want to use Windows 7 as Windows 7 only supports up to two physical CPUs

Thanks for pointing this out. I actually just read through a 4 build in the DC forum and saw this but it didn't "click." I have 2008 R2 SP1 as well and could use it if I did go 4P.

Looking more into the SR-X, it looks like I could go with dual E5-2620 cpus. Would also gain quad-channel memory support over the SR-2.

*Edit - I guess with the SR-X I could theoretically use my current ram as well - just get another 4 x 4GB.