number crunching machine sff

[leemahjong]

Hi bros,

Pls recommend specs for a system. Requirements:
- number crunching (very large excel file >100M and complex nested functions)
- high resolution dual screen output
- no gaming
- small chasis
- for soho
- high reliability

Thks!

 

[MoneyFace =p]

Hi bros,

Pls recommend specs for a system. Requirements:
- number crunching (very large excel file >100M and complex nested functions)
- high resolution dual screen output
- no gaming
- small chasis
- for soho
- high reliability

Thks!

If there's no budget constraint:
CPU+MB: Intel Xeon E3-1245 v3 + ASUS H81I-PLUS @ $500 (PC Themes)
Server grade CPU at lowered price than equivalent Core i7 counterpart.
Simplest mITX motherboard from ASUS offers minimal possibility for breakdown.
Only HDMI port supports larger than Full HD resolutions.
RAM: Crucial DDR3-1600 CL11 8GB X2 @ $184
World renowned Crucial value series RAM for reliability.
SSD: Crucial M500 120GB @ $110
An average performer but offers power loss protection and TCG Opal 2.0 compliant as well as supports hardware encryption ensuring utmost reliability and integrity of the drive.
HDD: Western Digital Blue 1TB @ $72
Least breakdown rate among all 1TB HDDs in the world.
ODD: HP 24X CD/DVD Writer [Retail] @ $24
Lite-On OEM ensuring top of the class reliability.
CASE+PSU: In Win BM650 [Black] + Powerman IP-AD180-2 180W Flex ATX [80 Plus Bronze] @ $104
Hard solid steel frame and decent quality PSU aimed for SOHO environment.
OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit [OEM] @ $115

Total: $1109

Optional:
MB: MSI B85I @ +$26 (PC Themes)
Offers DisplayPort and HDMI 1.4a supporting up to 4K resolutions.

Buy others from Tradepac, #05-18.

 

[leemahjong]

Thanks for the suggestions.

Need separate graphics card?

I need stable wifi. Not using lan connection.

Option for next best (cheaper) cpu?

Thks.

 

[MoneyFace =p]

Thanks for the suggestions.

Need separate graphics card?

I need stable wifi. Not using lan connection.

Option for next best (cheaper) cpu?

Thks.

CPU+MB: Intel Core i5-4440 + Gigabyte GA-H87N-WIFI @ $385
Core i5 without hyperthreading found in Core i7 will be your next best alternative.
Intel HD Graphics 4600 will do all jobs fine.
Intel-based WiFi card offers one of the best stability and performance.
Offering 2 HDMI 1.4a ports for 4K resolution.
RAM: Crucial DDR3-1600 CL11 4GB X2 @ $90
SSD: Crucial M500 120GB @ $110
HDD: Western Digital Blue 1TB @ $72
ODD: HP 24X CD/DVD Writer [Retail] @ $24
CASE+PSU: In Win BM650 [Black] + Powerman IP-AD180-2 180W Flex ATX [80 Plus Bronze] @ $104
OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit [OEM] @ $115

Total: $900

Buy and Build from Tradepac, #05-18.

 

[leemahjong]

Did a quick check, Gigabyte GA-H87N-WIFI does not support dual band wifi.

Any other choice?

 

[MoneyFace =p]

Did a quick check, Gigabyte GA-H87N-WIFI does not support dual band wifi.

Any other choice?

Motherboards with dual band WiFi are only available (and very limited) on the highest end which carries much higher premium. Getting and replacing with a separate Intel Wireless-AC 7260 dual band mPCIe card off Amazon / eBAy from SGD$35 will be a more prudent option to achieve your goal.

 

[escksu]

Excel files are nothing for today's CPUs........

Btw, why don't you just get a notebook?

 

[MoneyFace =p]

Excel files are nothing for today's CPUs........

Btw, why don't you just get a notebook?

Hi bros,

Pls recommend specs for a system. Requirements:
- number crunching (very large excel file >100M and complex nested functions)
- high resolution dual screen output
- no gaming
- small chasis
- for soho
- high reliability

Thks!

Don't underestimate the demands of excel calculations....

 

[Maeda_Toshiie]

Don't underestimate the demands of excel calculations....

Only because Excel/VBA is a bloated POS (and VBA is interpreted).


Sorry, but number crunching does not belong to the same statement with the term number crunching. C, C++, Fortran, Ocaml, Julia, Matlab, Octave, Mathematica, R, and Python qualify. Even then, I find Python slow (Perl-sque performance like most interpreted/JIT languages).

 

[leemahjong]

Yes, excel is slow for complex nested ifthenelse applications.

For dual band wifi, shd i just get a separate card or a usd dongle instead of having it integrated in the mobo? Then i can select the best mobo for my needs without the constraints of wifi.

Any suggestions for keyboard and mouse? I am going back to desktop again after so many years on ibm T series.

Thks.

 

[MoneyFace =p]

Yes, excel is slow for complex nested ifthenelse applications.

For dual band wifi, shd i just get a separate card or a usd dongle instead of having it integrated in the mobo? Then i can select the best mobo for my needs without the constraints of wifi.

Any suggestions for keyboard and mouse? I am going back to desktop again after so many years on ibm T series.

Thks.

CPU+MB: Intel Core i5-4440 + Gigabyte GA-H97N-WIFI @ $412
New H97 motherboard with Intel Wireless-AC dual band mPCIe card bundled.
RAM: Crucial DDR3-1600 CL11 4GB X2 @ $90
SSD: Crucial M500 120GB @ $110
HDD: Western Digital Blue 1TB @ $72
ODD: HP 24X CD/DVD Writer [Retail] @ $24
CASE+PSU: In Win BM650 [Black] + Powerman IP-AD180-2 180W Flex ATX [80 Plus Bronze] @ $104
OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit [OEM] @ $115
PHP: Logitech MK120 @ $18

Total: $945

Buy and Build from Tradepac, #05-18.

 

[leemahjong]

Thanks Moneyface for the mobo suggestions.

I would like to go for the higher end cpu.

Maybe also a 240gb ssd.

Reliability is still paramount.

What is the best way to chk stock availability? Call/email them first? I dont want to make a wasted trip down to sls.

Thks.

 

[royfrosty]

If you really need just go for a slightly better cpu for an i5-4670 or 4690.

Mobo with intel wifi dual band included.

Msi h87i AC + i5-4670 ~ $426 (slightly more higher base clock) comes with a intel dual band ac chip.
Crucial 8gb 1600mhz ~ $89
WD blue 1tb ~ $75
Samsung EVO 250gb ~ sgd$180(amazon) Or alternative Crucial m500 240gb ~ $185 locally
Silverstone SG02 ~ $88 (tradepac promo)
Silverstone 500w 80+ ~ $55
Samsung ODD ~ $21
Windows 7 home premium 64bit oem ~ $110
Logitech mk120 kb and mouse combo ~ $18

Total ~ $1062. Buy at tradepac. Diy.

 

[leemahjong]

Much thanks to moneyface and royfrosty for the recommendations.
Did some reading up. Narrowed list to following:

- CPU: i5-4570 OR i5-4460
- MOBO: Gigabyte GA-H97N-wifi OR Msi h87i AC
- RAM: Crucial 1600 16gb
- SSD: Crucial m500 240gb
- HDD: WD Blue 1tb
- ODD: HP 24x dvd writer
- GPU: really no need?
- PSU: Powerman/ Silverstone quality sufficient?
- Case: other options for solid, small, sexy box with usb 3.0?
- OS: Win7 64-bit

Above list make sense?
Advise welcome.

Review requirements:
m/itx, fast processor, dual band wifi, 2-3 screens, 4k support, bluray playback, high reliability, little gaming

Able to get everything from one shop?


Thks.

 

[Yureak]

Much thanks to moneyface and royfrosty for the recommendations.
Did some reading up. Narrowed list to following:

- CPU: i5-4570 OR i5-4460
- MOBO: Gigabyte GA-H97N-wifi OR Msi h87i AC
- RAM: Crucial 1600 16gb
- SSD: Crucial m500 240gb
- HDD: WD Blue 1tb
- ODD: HP 24x dvd writer
- GPU: really no need?
- PSU: Powerman/ Silverstone quality sufficient?
- Case: other options for solid, small, sexy box with usb 3.0?
- OS: Win7 64-bit

Above list make sense?
Advise welcome.

Review requirements:
m/itx, fast processor, dual band wifi, 2-3 screens, 4k support, bluray playback, high reliability, little gaming

Able to get everything from one shop?


Thks.

Hmm 4k playback idk if igpu is able tho

 

[Piezoq]

Much thanks to moneyface and royfrosty for the recommendations.
Did some reading up. Narrowed list to following:

- CPU: i5-4570 OR i5-4460
- MOBO: Gigabyte GA-H97N-wifi OR Msi h87i AC
- RAM: Crucial 1600 16gb
- SSD: Crucial m500 240gb
- HDD: WD Blue 1tb
- ODD: HP 24x dvd writer
- GPU: really no need?
- PSU: Powerman/ Silverstone quality sufficient?
- Case: other options for solid, small, sexy box with usb 3.0?
- OS: Win7 64-bit

Above list make sense?
Advise welcome.

Review requirements:
m/itx, fast processor, dual band wifi, 2-3 screens, 4k support, bluray playback, high reliability, little gaming

Able to get everything from one shop?


Thks.

Get more RAM (ramdisk, multi-task).

Consider an i7. Excel is multi-thread capable.

Small sexy box... Browse Silverstone/Lian-Li selections.

GPU. Grab an AMD, under 90W TDP with two dual-link DVI and 1 Displayport/HDMI. Can easily run 2-3 monitors.

 

[Ark Law]

Ultra compact WS dream build

CPU+Mobo+built-in WiFi+Chassis: Gigabyte Brix Pro i7 4770R w/ Iris Pro iGPU - $959
RAM: Crucial/Kingston 8GB 1.35v x2 [16GB total] - $190
SSD: Intel 730 240GB ~$265 (USD209 Amazon) or Crucial M500 240GB ~$138 (USD110 Amazon) or $185 from SLS
HDD: Any brand external 1TB USB3.0 drive - $90
OS: Win7 HP 64-bit OEM - $110

Get the Intel 730 if what you are doing is very write-heavy and write-intensive. Otherwise, just get the M500. Size example of the Brix Pro below;

 

[Yureak]

Get more RAM (ramdisk, multi-task).

Consider an i7. Excel is multi-thread capable.

Small sexy box... Browse Silverstone/Lian-Li selections.

GPU. Grab an AMD, under 90W TDP with two dual-link DVI and 1 Displayport/HDMI. Can easily run 2-3 monitors.

I think gtx 750 is good for his use...

 

[Piezoq]

I think gtx 750 is good for his use...

A couple of years ago, Nvidia wasn't too great for multi-monitors. Poor port selection and drivers.

Things are better nowadays but I'd still go AMD personally.

But the GTX 750 is a solid option.