Designing and building a workstation may be a daunting task for many of us. Simply knowing what is needed to meet required goals may even be confusing let alone the differing architectures and price points. It may be asked then, what advantages are there to building a workstation over purchasing a prepackaged solution.
The main reasons to design a workstation over purchasing a workstation are;
- Customization, tailoring hardware to your specific needs.
- Cost reduction by limiting purchases per design requirements.
- Reinvestment, using the savings to garner more speed/power.
- Recycling old parts, CD/DVD-ROM, Case, Power Supply, etc.
Simply, more power per dollar can be achieved by investing a little time and effort.
Where to Start?
Step 1: Research The Primary Application’s Requirements and Recommendations.
When designing a workstation the best place to start is the reason that makes a workstation a solution for your needs.
For myself, my main needs are for an AutoCAD workstation, I also do a bit of Excel work as well so multiple processors will be a benefit as well. This leads to the first fork in the road in the workstation design. What requirements do the applications used most have? What limitations and advantages need to be considered? [Please note that the “Minimum Requirements” of your application may be very underrated for an acceptable user experience.]
For the time being, the majority of AutoCAD utilizes a single processor so having 16 cores may actually be a hindrance as generally the single core speed diminishes as the number of cores increases. Multiple core configurations are advantageous for applications that utilize multiple processors, such as Excel, however for AutoCAD, the main focus should be the single core speed.
For this build, I selected an i7740X, a processor running at 4.3Ghz[4.8Ghz] on 4 cores.
Once it has been decided if multiple cores or faster single core is the appropriate solution, a processor that falls within your budget can be resourced. Here again is an opportunity to save a few dollars by shopping for a deal. The workstation parts can come from multiple resellers. Please utilize options at many web based hardware resellers, the main option is a compare function so that it is easy to differentiate the pros and cons of one piece of hardware over another.
Step 2: Finding a Central Processing Unit / CPU and motherboard / MB and other compatible hardware.
Once the processor is selected, the socket architecture will need to be identified. This can be found on the processor maker’s web documentation. The i7740X has a socket type; FCLGA2066. This will dictate the types of motherboards that can be utilized.
Motherboards come in several sizes and configurations, smaller motherboards are usually cheaper, however, this is due to some options being sacrificed like ram slots or PCIe expansion slots.
Take time here to research the varying options available on the differing motherboards available for the processor’s socket type. For my needs, I chose an ASRock Taichi X299 and this particular motherboard accepts up to 128Gigs of RAM, however, the specs of the CPU specify 64Gigs as the max memory. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, make sure to research the parts before purchasing. The CPU dictates the max memory the workstation will be able to utilize.
In that spirit, from here on it is suggested that the guidance of a web service that checks the compatibility of chosen parts is sought out. Note that not all options may appear as some hardware are low production runs or new parts, again research the specs, if the chosen part is not listed, find matching specifications of a competitor’s unit.
Step 3: Random Access Memory /RAM
Again the processor will dictate the type of memory that can be used, for the i7740x, the memory type is DDR4-2666. It is recommended that the manufacturer’s web site of your chosen mother board be referenced and research the memory options available. The Taichi X299 has 8 memory slots, however, by referencing the manual for the chosen motherboard it can be seen that the i7740X can only utilize 4 memory slots.
Again, utilizing a web service to ensure compatibility is free and highly recommended.
Step 4: Graphics Card / GPU
Here again is a fork in the road of building the workstation. Depending on the requirements of the workstation, varying classes of video cards should be considered. For 2D AutoCAD, not much power is needed and a lower end professional graphics card would do. For 3D work, point clouds, rendering, video editing, etc… a more robust card should be considered. If the workstation handles office applications a low-end consumer card or, if available, the motherboard’s on board graphics chipset may be an economical solution. If the end goal is a gaming rig than of course higher end consumer video card should be researched.
Step 5: Storage options; Hard Disk Drive / HDD, Solid State Drive / SSD, M.2, NVMe / PCIe Solution
Depending on the type of data and the motherboard’s options, varying levels of storage speed can be achieved. HDDs are slower and cheaper while SSDs range from cheap to expensive depending on speed and storage size while M.2 options can be costly and very speedy. For a power user, it is more like that a speedy storage solution would be appreciated as larger data sets are usually in use such as 3D models, databases, or the latest game. Again, careful research is recommended as there are multiple specifications that are closely named.
Step 6: The Case
Referring back to the motherboard specs, the Form Factor of the motherboard can be found, usually ATX, Mini ATX, EATX or some variation. This will determine the options for a case. Most larger cases can fit any size motherboard however if space is a concern and the workstation’s motherboard is small than smaller options are available.
Please keep in mind that higher end equipment uses more power and generates more heat. A small case may be more difficult to keep cool and maintain optimal air flow through out the case. It takes longer to heat a larger “room”.
Step 7: CPU, GPU and Case cooling
Here is an area not to underfund. The cooler the workstation can operate at, the more efficient it runs. As a processor’s heat rises, internal protections throttle the processor’s speed to prevent damage from overheating. If the case is not properly cooled the investment in CPU is wasted, increasingly so under sustained heavy loads.
Today it is advised that a liquid cooling option for your CPU is utilized for superior cooling abilities. Fan based solutions in varying efficiencies are available as well. When making final decisions on CPU cooling options, ensure that it is compatible with the MB and CPU and that no adapter brackets are required for mounting.
Case fans must be utilized as well to ensure a good air flow to keep all the devices cool. Options range in efficiency here as well, measured in CFM Cubic Feet per Minute of air moved, and also in Db Decibels where a lower value is a more silent fan.
Step 8: Powering your creation, PSU / Power Supply Unit
Depending on the choices for CPU / GPU a higher wattage PSU may be required. Most of the web services that ensure compatibility will also suggest a power consumption by the listed parts (including storage options), this value will be measured in watts / W. It is recommended that any future planned upgrades are taken into consideration and ensure that a PSU with enough wattage to power the future upgrades is purchased.
Step 9: The Purchase
Here is the last chance to save a dollar! Shop around and order parts piecemeal. It is recommended to purchase protection plans on hardware especially if the system is a business expenditure.
Getting it together.
Read the installation guides.
Step 1: Mounting the MB
Unpack the workstation’s case and remove the side panel(s). There should be a collection of screws and couplers and cables included.
It is standard practice to ground yourself before and during handling electronics, this can be achieved simply by touching the bare metal case or anti-static wrist bands can be purchased if static may be a concern.
If the CPU cooling solution requires a mounting bracket, research that before mounting the MB within the case as some models require a plate on the underside of the MB.
Referencing the MB’s installation guide, seat the MB within the case and secure as instructed. At this point, as all other’s, careful research will save frustration and time.
Step 2: Seating the CPU in the MB’s socket
This is one of the more costly pieces of the workstation, handle with care. Newer CPUs have no pins however, the pins are now within the MB socket. Extreme care should be taken not to bend any pins. There is a correct orientation to seat the CPU in, refer to the installation guides.
Installing the cooling system also is a critical point. Most cooling solutions come with cooling compound pre-applied and do not require the purchase of cooling compound. If you are applying cooling compound, refer to the installation guides. More is not better, correct is better. Correct cools the most efficiently and keeps the CPU running optimally.
Step 3: Seat the RAM and GPU
Both the RAM and GPU will have slots that have plastic locks at the end(s) of the slot. Referring to the installation guides will show the functionality of these locks as you firmly press the RAM and GPU cards into their respective slots. For the GPU, secure the card to the case with supplied screws.
Step 4: Mount storage solutions
Utilizing the supplied cables and mounting brackets in the case, mount the storage solutions so that cables can be secured in a group.
Step 5: Installing the PSU
There is most likely a lot of cables attached to the PSU. It is important to route the cables sensibly and maintaining a single grouping of cables if possible. The PSU will have several connectors that will need to be connected to the MB, storage solutions and GPU if applicable.
Step 6: Cable Managment
Not only does this maintain order, makes a nice looking install, but it helps keep your system cool by keeping the cables out of the way and letting air flow unobstructed. Now is an ideal to attach any other cables to the MB such as fan/water pump powering, front panel accessories and switches, etc.
Now that it’s completed, It is time to attempt to break it.
The burn in tests are an important part of a workstation build. This process will reveal a number of issues from poor hardware installation, bad drivers to improperly cooled CPU, MB / Case or other malfunctioning hardware (revealed through diagnostics).
Also revealed in the burn in tests are the workstations specs such as max CPU/GPU/ Storage/LAN /WAN speeds, maximum heat under sustained heavy loads.
In conclusion;
The next closest comparable predesigned workstation listed was hundreds of dollars more expensive. This major brand workstation came with a slower CPU, half the memory, a lower end professional class GPU, a HDD (instead of SSD), and other generic parts.
All parts in the pictured build were quality, brand name parts focused on performance and speed. Selecting the hardware in the design phase allows for finding the parts that have just a little bit more performance or speed than the next competitor.
Usually, the level of information on pre-made workstations stops at bare minimums outside of the headliners. For example; “16Gigs of memory” without stating manufacturer, model, speed or latency {likely due to inferior, generic, or low-quality parts}. This makes rating the true value/performance of pre-made workstations impossible.