GPU Workstation Build Critique

[particlerealities]

I am about to build a new GPU workstation for the days I work remotely from home. My primary programs are Photoshop & SketchUp. I will also be using AutoCAD & 3ds Max. Rendering will be done with V-Ray for SketchUp & 3ds Max, hopefully with GPU rendering.

I searched around for "V-Ray Workstation" and found Peuget Systems site. They are nice enough to list out all the components their systems are built with... Thanks Peuget! I started with their "1 CPU, 1-4 GPUs Tower Workstation" option, then eventually started pricing out my own variation on PC Part Picker.

This is what I came up with. I'd appreciate any input you all might have. I only have 2 GPUs (1080Ti's) in the build sheet so far - will hopefully add 2 more as prices drop. I opted for a windowed case since the motherboard is illuminated. My goal is to stay under $5,000.

My Build:
https://pcpartpicker.com/list/xm6spG

Inspiration:
https://www.pugetsystems.com/recomme...ay-199/Buy_240

[savage309]

Do you need that powerful CPU?
Also, it is very good idea to consider smaller cheaper GPU dedicated for displays. GTX 1050ti for example.

Best,
Blago.

[richard_rosenman]

This is almost identical to the setup I got, but I got 3X GTX 1080 Ti's.

One issue for you to consider: I had read before about the importance of the blower style GPUs when using more than one. I didn't take it too seriously and at first, we ordered 3 MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X gpus. The reason for this is because I wanted a relatively quiet system and the more fans a card has, the quieter is it. One fan does more work and therefore works harder / louder. But when the computer store tested them under load, the temperatures were just too hot. They exceeded 90 degrees I believe.

So we ordered 3 blower style cards instead and they replaced those. The last update from them said they were operating under their normal load temperatures.

The difference, according to my understanding, is that the traditional fan cards suck in air from the case and disperse it back into the case whereas the blower style cards shoot it outside the back. This way you are not re-circulating hot air.

My system is almost ready so I will be able to do some tests and see how it performs.

Regarding the primary video card, I decided to go with a GTX 1080 Ti as well despite the fact that is has more load on it, as well as the potential for lag. The reason is that I will be doing most of my rendering after I leave the studio over night. I guess we'll see how it performs. Worst case scenario is that I can put it in the fourth slot and buy a cheaper card for my primary display.

-Rich

[particlerealities]

Do you need that powerful CPU?
Also, it is very good idea to consider smaller cheaper GPU dedicated for displays. GTX 1050ti for example.

Best,
Blago.

I figured if I can't get GPU to work, or if I need to edit old scenes, I will appreciate having a fast CPU. Perhaps I can keep the motherboard selection and select a slower CPU to save a little money. Something to consider.

And I like the idea of having 4 high-end GPUs so I can select them all & walk away from the computer for a bit. And I want my primary GPU to perform well when I'm gaming.... (with my son!).

[particlerealities]

So we ordered 3 blower style cards instead and they replaced those. The last update from them said they were operating under their normal load temperatures.

-Rich

I read conflicting information about the fan styles. Is this along the lines of what you went with? It's a little cheaper than the cards currently in my build.

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/J8q...-gtx1080ti-11g

[richard_rosenman]

Yes, I believe that is the card they went with: Asus GTX 1080 Ti Turbo.

Although Blago didn't mention the blower style cards in his above post, he has mentioned it a number of times in other posts.

Like you, I got the Threadripper 1950X CPU as well to assist with the GPU rendering in hybrid mode.

-Rich

[particlerealities]

If anyone's interested, I built the system linked in my "Home" build linked in my signature. I haven't really done any overclocking yet. I was happy to see the CPU speeds faster than my (much more expensive) work Dell computer. I really was expecting GPU speeds to be considerably faster than my work computer, but at least it's not drastically slower. And I still have room to add two more GPUs.