Build a new PC for scientific software developing

[ciccio]

Hi all,

sorry for my delay, long weekend and busy Monday at work

I added 2 case fans, just as example to check the characteristics.
The case can support 2 140mm or 3 120mm on the top and 3 120mm on bottom and side.

About the disks, I still have some questions, for now I put 2x1TB SSD, but I am always open to suggestions.

Maybe it’s better if I explain what type of software I want to run and why I wanted the dual boot and this is related to the type and number of disks I need.

The software I am going to use are toolkits which simulate physics phenomena, for example GEANT4 for the interaction particle-matter or NEMO used for ocean fluid dynamics simulation and they all run in Unix-like systems.

Of course this software are run on HPC for big projects, but for small experiments a PC should be fine.

In principle they could run also on my early-2011 MacbookPro and I did, but it’s extremely old, it takes ages to open an IDE or compile a source code…

I want also a Windows partition because the target of some of the software I am developing are Windows users (and of course for gaming ).

This is the reason why I wanted the dual boot, so to use the whole machine for them and not just a part in case of VM.

Thanks again for you help
Ciccio

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 3950X 3.5 GHz 16-Core Processor
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D12L 60.09 CFM CPU Cooler
Thermal Compound: Noctua NT-H2 3.5 g Thermal Paste
Motherboard: Asus TUF GAMING X570-PLUS (WI-FI) ATX AM4 Motherboard
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory
Storage: Samsung 980 Pro 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive
Storage: Samsung 980 Pro 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive
Video Card: MSI GeForce RTX 3060 Gaming X12G GeForce RTX 3060 12 GB Video Card
Case: Lian Li PC-O11 Dynamic ATX Full Tower Case
Power Supply: Corsair RM850x (2021) 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply
Case Fan: Noctua A14 industrialPPC-3000 PWM 158.5 CFM 140 mm Fan
Case Fan: Noctua F12 industrialPPC-3000 PWM 109.89 CFM 120 mm Fan

[Pyro]

I’d go for the larger fans whenever possible, they’re quieter and can move more air.

Still hoping maybe a double-fan cpu cooler?

I think 2x 1tb drives will be just fine, there’s always room for expansion with SATA drives as well. Could assign one to each OS if you were particularly bent on it, otherwise a dual boot sounds like an acceptable solution.

+1 for the uninterruptible power supply as recommended above, they’re a game changer.

[ciccio]

About the fans, how many of them? Do I have to fill of the available slots?

I am going to take a double-fan cooler, just I didn’t find a Noctua one in that list and I didn’t change it, but I will try somewhere else.

[Bruce]

no need to fill the case with fans.
one for intake and one for exhaust is plenty.
a single fan on the CPU’s heatsink should do for now. those Noctua’s for example are very good.
most of the 3rd party coolers just use a standard case fan so you can always add another later as long as you get a double sided heatsink but the price difference is minimal so really, it won’t matter too much.

[ciccio]

I think we have the winner here
Now I have just to buy all the parts and build it, hoping that everything goes well

Thanks a lot to all of you for the really useful advices!

[Pyro]

Personally, I’d go for the two 140mm intakes + an exhaust. Once again, these 30 series GPUs run very hot, as Bruce suggested though, it’s not as though you can’t add more down the line.

When I build a gaming or heavy duty machine, especially one that can use PWM fans (variable speed), I like to go a little overboard, temps + performance are far more important to me than noise, but you may think different.

All in all you have a really good starting point, and if you ever decide to change things that’s perfectly doable.

[ciccio]

I agree, this would be a starting point, if I realise I need some extra components, I can add them

Thanks again for the help

[Bruce]

if you have never built before, without insulting your intelligence, all I’ll say is a) take your time, and if in doubt b) ask for help.

let’s face it, even Superman found it difficult on his first time;

[MEDIA=youtube]G2gYUVQrLzQ[/MEDIA]

[ciccio]

Absolutely I agree 100% with both of you

I built some PCs, but we are talking about 20 or more years ago…

I am collecting and restoring old game consoles but it’s a different story.

Just a bit worried about the CPU, I have to be careful when I assemble it.

[PeterOz]

Just a bit worried about the CPU, I have to be careful when I assemble it.

Anti static strap.
Lineup the triangles - NO FORCE When placing cpu or using the locking bar
Apply Thermal Paste Click On Me to CPU Everyone has a different method.
The aim is a nice covering Too little = Bad, Too much = Bad (Think Goldilocks and the three bears).

heatsink/fan Click On Me for AMD

If any doubts, ASK here that is what we are here for

Please let us know how it goes

[PeterOz]

Does this help

[MEDIA=youtube]IP7HsNWSY4o[/MEDIA]

[ciccio]

@PeterOz thanks that helps

[Bruce]

@ciccio - any news?

[ciccio]

Hi @Bruce I think this thread can be considered solved (I don’t know how to do it) as next week I am going to buy the parts in the last configuration.

If I have any problems during the assembly I am going to open another thread

Thanks again!

[Bruce]

no worries, any issues, of course get back to us.
good luck.