Desktop configuration for simulation work

[Navin Talati]

Friends,
I have to work with chemical and Petrochemical process simulators like Aspen, Design, Pro II, Petrolia, HTRI etc
Could you please suggest some better and effective configurations of a Desktop?
Awaiting your response. Friends.
Regards.
Navin Talati / 14-06-2022

 

[Kshipper]

If you are in the USA you should check out this place:

Workstations for Scientific Computing

Our Workstations for Scientific Computing are tested and optimized to give you the best performance and reliability.

www.pugetsystems.com

 

[Navin Talati]

If you are in the USA you should check out this place:

Workstations for Scientific Computing

Our Workstations for Scientific Computing are tested and optimized to give you the best performance and reliability.

www.pugetsystems.com

Sir,
Thanks for the response.
Sorry, I am from India. Please guide accordingly.
Most of the components may be available. As I am not much aware of the computer hardwares, please state few better configurations so that I may assess the availability and suitability for my need.
Regards.

 

[Kshipper]

Well, you don't mention your budget so I will assume money is "no object". Since you will use this to get work done and you run simulation/design software you want a fast multicore CPU, lots of RAM, and a good video card with adequate storage. Ideally 32GB of RAM (or more). 1TB SSD storage drive (or more). The video card is likely going to be:

Take Your Design Workflows to the Next Level

NVIDIA RTX A2000 | A2000 12GB

www.nvidia.com

...or better

I really like AMD CPUs because they run cooler than the Intel parts. The top desktop CPU available now is Threadripper. You likely won't be building this yourself so I would recommend you get one through Lenovo:

ThinkStation P620 | The world's first AMD Ryzen™ Threadripper™ PRO workstation |

Shop for ThinkStation P620 Tower Workstation. Game-changing power. Limitless possibilities. Highly configurable. Shop now!

www.lenovo.com

My link above is Canadian but I am sure they have an Indian website for you to use.

 

[Navin Talati]

Sir,

Thanks for the response.

I am very sorry that I missed to mention the limitation of my budget. I am definetly concerned with it. I actually wants to upgrade my present system and peripherals configuration. In that by keeping all other intact, mainly wants to upgrade MoBo + CPU + RAM mainly. Following items I prefer to keep un-touched while upgrading:

(1).PSU: Cooler Master Silent Pro 800W Gold
(2). Monitor; Samsung syncMaster 2230
(3). Hard Drives: HDD: 2X1TB SATA + 2X250GB SATA + 1X250GB SSD
(4). Cabinet: CoolerMaster -HAF XB EVO. Full ATX, Horizontal MoBo plate position.
(5). Printer: HP LaserJet 1005 MFP (USB connectable, no wi-fi)

Presently, the Chemical and Petrochemical process simulators like Aspen, Design, Pro II, Petrolia, HTRI etc. are working nicely on my HP laptop with i5 processor. So in this range or little higher efficient configuration will be preferred for the captioned preferred desktop system.

Sir, I am also inclined toward AMD CPUs and ASUS MoBo. I also like to build the system myself as DIY. The THREADRIPPER is too much of high level for my upgradation and situation..!

So please suggest me keeping above situation that for which MoBo + CPU + RAM should I go?

As of now and to the best of my little knowledge of comp. Hardwares, primerily “Asus ROG Strix B450-F Gaming II” motherboard is in my though. Kindly also suggest appropriate AMD CPU and Corsair RAM best fitting with this MoBo.

Regards.

 

[Kshipper]

Ahh I see well the B450 chipset was designed for Ryzen 3000 series CPUs like the Ryzen 5 3600 (that was a favourite CPU for a long time). The B450 chipset is pretty much the main choice of all budget builders. Even though the B450 does support Ryzen 7 and Ryzen 9 CPUs and even the 5000 series Ryzen CPUs (with BIOS update) the thermals are not quite up to snuff to run the high-end CPUs well (throttling issues will arise) and don't forget that the top Ryzen CPUs do not come with a CPU cooler so bear that in mind when choosing.

If you go Ryzen 5 3600 it comes with a cooler and you will have zero problems. You could shoot for the new version of that which is Ryzen 5 5600 or 5600x. The prices are down on those now and the 3600 may not be cheap enough. The Ryzen 5000 series CPUS were designed for the newer chipset with is the B550. Consider that in your new motherboard. They do have better thermals.

If you go with the:

Asus ROG Strix B450-F Gaming II

and Corsair memory...

I easily found affordable memory for that below on Corsair's RAM configurator page.

CMT16GX4M2E3200C16W is a 32GB kit

CMK16GX4M2B3200C16W is a 16GB Kit.

I recommend a RAM kit (2 sticks of RAM). The sweet spot is 3000 to 3200MHz and you will pay more for tighter timings. I think the above is around 38 and 39 CAS which is OK. Still budget RAM but not the bottom ram timings.

Once you start pricing everything is Rupees, it will help you to choose the right parts.

 

[Navin Talati]

Sir,
Many many thanks for the detailed reply. Further help me in understanding few more things as under.

(1). What are the main differences amongst Ryzen 5 5600, 5600x, and 5600g?

(2). I think Ryzen 5 5600g will not need a descrit/separate Graphic card, while remaining two will need it.

(3). For above Ryzen 5 of 5000 series, I must go for motherboard of Asus ROG STRIX B550-F .....then will not need any separate cooling system for cpu. The stock fan or whatever comes with ryzen packing will be sufficient. Is my thinking correct?

(4). Suggest appropriate RAM for above couple.

Regards

 

[Kshipper]

Sir,
Many many thanks for the detailed reply. Further help me in understanding few more things as under.

(1). What are the main differences amongst Ryzen 5 5600, 5600x, and 5600g?

(2). I think Ryzen 5 5600g will not need a descrit/separate Graphic card, while remaining two will need it.

(3). For above Ryzen 5 of 5000 series, I must go for motherboard of Asus ROG STRIX B550-F .....then will not need any separate cooling system for cpu. The stock fan or whatever comes with ryzen packing will be sufficient. Is my thinking correct?

(4). Suggest appropriate RAM for above couple.

Regards

There are small speed differences on this Ryzen 5 CPUs. The G model does have a built-in video card so that may be a big advantage when you are on a budget. If you can afford it grab the 5600x and a discrete video card. Look for a GTX 1030, GTX1650 or GTX1660. Design work benefits from a discrete video card.

You can look up compatible RAM kits from Corsair on their website:

https://www.corsair.com/ca/en/Categories/Products/Memory/c/Cor_Products_Memory

Since I am in Canada, Google directs me to the Canadian Corsair website. You search by the motherboard and then you sort by size, speed, and kits (Kits have more than one stick of RAM and you want a 2-piece kit).

 

[Navin Talati]

Thanks. Sir,
Please add little guidance about para (3) above....
I.e. ------ (3). For above Ryzen 5 of 5000 series, I must go for motherboard of Asus ROG STRIX B550-F .....then will not need any separate cooling system for cpu. The stock fan or whatever comes with ryzen packing will be sufficient. Is my thinking correct?
Regards.

 

[Kshipper]

Thanks. Sir,
Please add little guidance about para (3) above....
I.e. ------ (3). For above Ryzen 5 of 5000 series, I must go for motherboard of Asus ROG STRIX B550-F .....then will not need any separate cooling system for cpu. The stock fan or whatever comes with ryzen packing will be sufficient. Is my thinking correct?
Regards.

Oh yes. The stock cooler for the 5600, 5600G, or 5600X is good. =)

Ken

 

[Navin Talati]

Sir,
(1).
If I go for Asus ROG Strix B550-f Gaming and couple it with Ryzen 5 5600 or 5600x, it will need a discrete graphic card.
I have an old spare Graphic Card; GT520 Silent 2GB DDR3 nvidia GeForce ----- will it work with this couple?

(2).
If I go for Asus ROG Strix B450-f Gaming II and couple it with Ryzen 5 3600 or 3600x and my above old graphic card, will it require to upgrade the MoBo's BIOS for this combination?

Regards.

 

[Kshipper]

Sir,
(1).
If I go for Asus ROG Strix B550-f Gaming and couple it with Ryzen 5 5600 or 5600x, it will need a discrete graphic card.
I have an old spare Graphic Card; GT520 Silent 2GB DDR3 nvidia GeForce ----- will it work with this couple?

(2).
If I go for Asus ROG Strix B450-f Gaming II and couple it with Ryzen 5 3600 or 3600x and my above old graphic card, will it require to upgrade the MoBo's BIOS for this combination?

Regards.

There is a very good chance that you won't need to update the BIOS to run either of those combos. That video card is 11 years old but there is still a Windows 10 x64 driver here for it:

GeForce Windows 10 Driver | 353.62 | Windows 10 64-bit | NVIDIA

Download the English (US) GeForce Windows 10 Driver for Windows 10 64-bit systems. Released 2015.7.29

www.nvidia.com

Expect the support for that video card to stop at some point. I have been using GT710 for builds that just need graphics. I think design work could utilize a better video card, so that's why I would upgrade that component to a GTX 1650/1660 (or better), down the road.

 

[Navin Talati]

Sir,
My preference goes with following combo:

Motherboard: Asus ROG Strix B550-f Gaming
CPU: Ryzen 5 5600G
RAM: DDR4

Being a non-computer person, my computer hardware/software knowledge is very limited. I can not correctly make out even after reading concerned details and specification. Many a times I skip understanding through terminology etc. So I seek comprehensive understanding and confirmation guidance. This will help me taking firm decisions. Please help me in the following matters:

1.
Motherboard - Asus ROG Strix B550-f Gaming is of 3-Types.
Asus ROG Strix B550-f Gaming
Asus ROG Strix B550-f Gaming (Wi-Fi)
Asus ROG Strix B550-f Gaming (Wi-Fi) II
# What are main differences and which one is preferable.
# What are (Wi-Fi) differences in last two. They write something like (Wi-Fi)-6, what does it mean?
# My present PSU - Cooler Master 800W Silent pro Gold will work with any of the above MoBo or not?
# I understand that they all have 6 No. of SATA ports so I can connect that much no. of my data hard drives (SATA hdd & ssd) - Am I right?

2.
CPU: Ryzen 5 5600G is preferred because I can save for Graphic card right now. From reading the literature I understan that most of my chemical processes Designing, Simulations, and Rendering work will be done by this cpu. (You may draw my attention if I am misunderstanding something..please)
# In case of future upgradation, can I add a suitable Graphic Card without adding any extra or additional cooling devices/systems? In that case please suggest a suitable Graphic card.

3.
Suggest most suitable (simple but quality product) RAM for this combination.

(NOTE: I am not interested in any flashing led-lightings etc. in my system. Not even on motherboard of cooling fans or any where it comes....because I feel that all these are for show only).

4.
I have a cabinet/chasis is CoolerMaster HAF XB EVO having horizontal MoBo tray. Air flow is fine. My monitor is Samsung SyncMaster B2230 and PSU is Cooler Master 800W Silent pro Gold.
#Will all these work as such with this proposed new combo?
# No BIOS upgradation will be required for this combo. Correct?

Your valuable guidance is eagerly awaited.
Regards.
Navin Talati /25-06-2022

 

[Kshipper]

You say you are a "non-computer person" and you also say you want to do this yourself. I'm a little concerned. We all need to start somewhere but you can easily ruin components if you don't know the basics. Looking up compatible RAM for the motherboard you want is a first step that you need to know how to do. Comparing motherboard features is another first step. I don't want to do all the research for you because you won't learn anything that way.

When I design a system I look at the price/features of the components and of course>> availability above all. It's all well and good to say you found a RAM kit that works. Can you buy it? That's another problem. Finding compatible RAM that works in a Ryzen system should be as easy as choosing the RAM manufacturer you want to deal with then going to their website and finding part numbers that work and are available/affordable to buy.

I don't think Coolermaster makes a super special power supply so I can't guide you as to whether that 850w PSU is going to be OK. You can try it. My go-to PSUs are Corsair and Seasonic and I recently started to give Super Flower a go.

I'm not familiar with your case but most cases will accept a MATX or ATX motherboard.