GPU computing workstation reality check

[sauroneru]

Looking for a "budget" GPU workstation. Needs >=2 GB Nvidia GPU, >=8 GB RAM, nothing else matters much. Here's what I have:

2x Crucial CT2KIT51264BC1067 8GB 204-PIN PC3-8500 SODIMM DDR3 (4GBx2)

Cooler Master Elite 460W ATX +12V V2.31 SATA, PCI-E Power Supply RS460-PSAR-J3-US

EVGA GeForce GTX460 SE 2048 MB GDDR5 PCI-Express 2.0 Graphics Card 02G-P3-1386-KR

Cooler Master Elite Mid Tower Case, RC-310-BWN1-GP

ASUS P8H67-M EVO LGA 1155

Intel Core i5-2500 Processor 3.3GHz

2x SilverStone 120mm Fan Filter with Grill FF121B (Black)

LG Electronics GH22NS50 22X SATA Super Multi DVD+/-RW Internal Drive

Buying from Amazon. Will not overclock. Already have hard drive, and am installing Ubuntu. Any mistakes?

 

[sauroneru]

And how am I a noob after 8 years? Lurker, sure...

 

[Dangman]

It would help if you answer the stickied "ANSWER THESE QUESTION FIRST!" so that we can help you better.

Though right off the bat: Ditch that shitty PSU. Go for the $55 Antec EA-430D instead.

 

[Dan_D]

Looking for a "budget" GPU workstation. Needs >=2 GB Nvidia GPU, >=8 GB RAM, nothing else matters much. Here's what I have:

2x Crucial CT2KIT51264BC1067 8GB 204-PIN PC3-8500 SODIMM DDR3 (4GBx2)

Cooler Master Elite 460W ATX +12V V2.31 SATA, PCI-E Power Supply RS460-PSAR-J3-US

EVGA GeForce GTX460 SE 2048 MB GDDR5 PCI-Express 2.0 Graphics Card 02G-P3-1386-KR

Cooler Master Elite Mid Tower Case, RC-310-BWN1-GP

ASUS P8H67-M EVO LGA 1155

Intel Core i5-2500 Processor 3.3GHz

2x SilverStone 120mm Fan Filter with Grill FF121B (Black)

LG Electronics GH22NS50 22X SATA Super Multi DVD+/-RW Internal Drive

Buying from Amazon. Will not overclock. Already have hard drive, and am installing Ubuntu. Any mistakes?

Why the hell are you getting an H67 chipset based motherboard when you are using a discreet graphics card? I'd go with either P67 or Z68 instead.

 

[sauroneru]

I think I answered all the questions in the sticky, except I'm buying it now and it's going to the US.

New system:

Gigabyte Intel Z68 Micro ATX LGA 1155 Motherboard (GA-Z68MA-D2H-B3)

OCZ ModXStream Pro 500W Modular High-Performance Power Supply

Palit nVidia GeForce GTX560 Ti 2 GB DDR5 VGA/2DVI/HDMI PCI-Express Video Card NE5X56T01142-1041F

(rest is same)

 

[Dangman]

I think I answered all the questions in the sticky, except I'm buying it now and it's going to the US.

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? eSATA? Onboard video? etc.
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? 32bit or 64bit?

OCZ ModXStream Pro 500W Modular High-Performance Power Supply

Not a good choice at all. I recommend the Corsair 600CX 600W PSU instead.

 

[sauroneru]

1. It will be used for GPU calculations.
9. No extra features needed.
10. I'll be installing Ubuntu.

 

[Dangman]

Ok additional issues with your build:
- The Crucial RAM you chose is completely incompatible since it's SODIMM RAM. Basically that's for laptops and mITX setups. As such, get two of this RAM stick:
$36 - Patriot PSD34G13332 4GB DDR3 1333 RAM

- That case will not provide enough cooling for a GTX 560. I recommend this case instead:
$60 - Cooler Master HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 ATX Case

 

[sauroneru]

Dear lord I'm old. I'm used to all DDR3 being desktop RAM. Thanks a ton for the help.

 

[Dangman]

Dear lord I'm old. I'm used to all DDR3 being desktop RAM. Thanks a ton for the help.

No prob.

Post a final build list before you buy for another onceover.

EDIT: Oh totally slipped my mind: There might be an issue with Ubuntu and a Sandy Bridge setup:
http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=intel_snb_natty&num=1

 

[sauroneru]

Final build just incorporates your suggestions. Thanks for the heads up on Sandy Bridge + Ubuntu. Looks like it's mostly an issue using Intel's on-board graphics, so hopefully we'll avoid that. Otherwise we'll recompile / use an alpha build.