Help with 3K build

[alexlyc]

I am out of the PC loop for so long I forgot [H]ow to max out a 3K and a 12k build, can someone help me out?

Requirements:
Completely for 3D rendering purpose: 3Ds Max, vray, Cinema4D, Maya, Premiere, AfterEffect (cpu or gpu more important?)
Ram: 32GB at least
Case: cheap cheap cheap is fine
Mobo: have my eye set on Asus Z87 Deluxe with Thunderbolt 2 support for easier exchange file between Mac
Cooling: must be air, mild/no oc, for stable 24/7 operation
GPU: CXF / SLI doesn't work with 3D software right?
HDD: 1x 512GB SSD, rest extra 2TBs for storage
3k budget

Also another request, a 12k server comp with max out 2TB HDDs possible for multiple users to access files over the network.

 

[Dangman]

Please answer these questions in regards to your 3K build:
3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? eSATA? Onboard video? UEFI? etc.
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? 32bit or 64bit?

As for your server build, please answer the following questions:
1) Is this for a business?
2) What OS are you planning on using?
3) Do you actually have experience configuring and maintaining such a massive file server?
4) Why not contact Dell for your server needs?

Though right off the bat: That Asus Z87 Deluxe with Thunderbolt 2 is ridiculously overpriced for just that Thunderbolt 2 feature. Drop that Thunderbolt requirement and you can get far far better motherboards for the same or significantly lower price.

As for cases, I recommend the following cases:
$70 - Corsair Graphite Series 230T Black ATX Case
$72 - Corsair Graphite Series 230T Black ATX Case
$79 - Corsair Graphite Series 230T Black w/ Window ATX Case
$100 - Corsair Carbide Series 400R ATX Case
$100 - NZXT Phantom PHAN-001WT White Full Tower ATX Case
$113 - Corsair Carbide Series 500R ATX Case
$120 - Antec 1100 ATX Case
$120 - Corsair Obsidian Series 450D ATX Case
$120 - Corsair Vengeance Series C70 Arctic White ATX Case
$120 - Corsair Vengeance Series C70 Gunmetal Black ATX Case
$120 - NZXT Phantom PHAN-002OR Black Finish w/Orange Trim Full Tower ATX Case
$130 - NZXT Phantom 530 Black Full Tower ATX Case
$130 - Corsair Graphite Series 600TM ATX Case
$140 - Corsair Graphite Series 730T ATX Case
$150 - Corsair Obsidian Series 650D ATX Case
$160 - Corsair Obsidian Series 750D ATX Case
$160 - Corsair Special Edition White Graphite Series 600T ATX Case
$170 - NZXT Phantom 630 Gunmetal Full Tower ATX Case
$170 - NZXT Phantom 630 White Full Tower ATX Case
$190 - Corsair Graphite Series 760T ATX Case
$230 - Silverstone FT02B-USB3.0 ATX Case
$250 - Silverstone FT02S-W-USB3.0 ATX Case

 

[rastaban]

Looks like a job for X79, but X99 is reportedly scheduled for June. For a serious render system, DDR4 may be significant. 10 SATA III ports is a huge upgrade as well. $3k may not be enough though if you want FirePro/Quadro cards. It would make more sense to alot the budgets 5k/10k instead of 3k/12k (hell, I don't know if a server like that should cost even remotely that much)

 

[alexlyc]

3k build will be running Win7 64 bit, os not needed.
USB 3.0 and thunderbolt (even as a add-on card) require
Buying parts in CA (tax state)
Power Supply (stable for 24/7, withstand hot/humid condition, no hissing noise)

server purpose is for mutliple user quickly access files over the network only. HDD speed is my main concern.

PS. I read from the web that asus has like a SSD ramdisk feature that boost RAM performance, I know 3Ds Max is memory intensive, not sure if that actually helps.

 

[rastaban]

The problem with the TB requirement is that there is no "add-on card" that will work with just any machine. Only Asus motherboards with the TB header will work with their TB add-in card. Afaik, the other manufacturers (Gigabyte, ASRock, Supermicro) have controllers built into their TB capable boards.

For 24/7 operation, I would recommend server grade components. Supermicro board with a 84W Xeon E3-1275V3 or 80W iGPU-less Xeon E3-1270V3. The E3-1240V3/E3-1245V3 are actually cheaper than their i7 counterparts.

Here is an ATX Supermicro board with TB and USB 3.0 at a reasonable price:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813182830 (currently comes with a pretty good promotion code if you get most of the items on Newegg)

How much storage do you think it will need? and do you have RAID requirements?

edit: you also have not answered all of Dangman's questions.

Other:
RAM: Crucial 4x8GB 1600MHz 1.35V CL11 ECC unbuffered (Amazon)
PSU: Rosewill Fortress-550 - it's not modular but it's 80 PLUS Platinum with a fan, has high ratings by reputable reviewers, and cheap. (Newegg) The 450W is enough, but the 550W has a code + MIR right now.
HSF: Noctua NH-U12 S (Amazon)

 

[Dangman]

3k build will be running Win7 64 bit, os not needed.
USB 3.0 and thunderbolt (even as a add-on card) require
Buying parts in CA (tax state)
Power Supply (stable for 24/7, withstand hot/humid condition, no hissing noise)

You didn't answer some of my questions correctly(namely #8 and #5 for the 3K build and 1-4 for the server build). So please answer those questions. Also, which Windows 7 64bit OS will you be using? Home Premium? Pro? Ult? Ent? etc.

server purpose is for mutliple user quickly access files over the network only. HDD speed is my main concern.

PS. I read from the web that asus has like a SSD ramdisk feature that boost RAM performance, I know 3Ds Max is memory intensive, not sure if that actually helps.

UNless your entire network is gigabit or better, your network should be your first concern and then the access speeds for the server.

As for the SSD Ramdisk, it's marketing fluff. Ignore it.