Processor- OVER CLOCKING- Question & Video Card Question

[toycept]

Hi all.... 2 questions regarding a new workstation I'm considering:

1) For the processor I'm comparing an Intel Core i7 3770K running (over clocked) to 4.1 GHz
and the same processor (over clocked) to 4.5 GHz. The 4.1 GHZ configuration comes in an air cooled
case, and the 4.5 comes in a water cooled case. I'm not all that knowledgable with over clocking....
so my question is.... the standard processor is rated at a normal clock speed of 3.5 GHz.... is over clocking
the chip to 4.1 or 4.5 bad... what I mean is will it have any adverse effects on the processor over time?
Do any of you use a water cooled system.... any comments about that, as opposed to air cooled? The company
putting together the system is a great firm, I've purchased 2 systems from them before.... just trying to
become a bit more knowledgable with the 2 options here. Thanks.

2) Second question.... anyone use a Nvidia quadro 2000 video card.... any comments about it.... you happy with it?

thanks very much for sharing your comments.

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

I'm running an i7 2600K (normal clock 3.4GHz) at 4.2GHz with stock air cooler and it is very stable. The CPU life should only be affected if it allowed to run too hot. I've read where some people are using liquid cooled CPUs at 5GHz without excessive heat.

Which company is building the system?

Have not used an nVidia Quadro 2000 card, so cannot comment from personal experience, but most people have given favourable reviews.

 

[toycept]

@Xi would be building the workstation. I'm considering the 4.5 GHZ Intel i7 3770K with water-cooling.

 

[PatCouture]

From what I've read on the solidworks forum and other places the I7-3770K is designed specifically to allow overclocking and it's seems that @Xi are building solid unit lately at reasonable prices.

For a new workstation make sure you look at selecting a SSD drive in your box, after the CPU and having enough RAM it's almost the more noticeable increase in speed I saw in my new unit.

If you're not sure about reliability over the long run maybe just ask for an extended warranty?

Patrick

 

[toycept]

The unit I'm considering has a 120 GB SSD and a 500 GB 7200 RPM SATA drive and 16 gigs of ram. It's tough
to spec these units without taking them for a "test drive".... but I appreciate the feed back. thank you.

 

[PatCouture]

On my laptop I started with a 80 gig mSATA SSD for the OS and a 750 gig 7200 rpm sata drive and after a month I purchase a second SSD of 128gig only for my solidworks files (I had a free slot) and I must say I'm glad I did it because I'm opening, saving, closing files quite intensively with SW and the increased speed is noticeable!

Patrick

 

[gp13]

These CPUs can be overclocked with great success, and are very stable as long as you keep them cool. I have an i5-2500K at home OC'd to 4.5 GHz, and all I did was swap out the stock cooler with a Cooler Master Hyper 212. My temps are typically in the mid-30s, not a problem at all. I would say that OC'd to 4.5 with water cooling, you should be more than ok as long as you're not operating in a very warm/hot office. Depending on what you plan on doing with your workstation, you might be able to save a few bucks by dropping down to the i5 instead of the i7. It's my understanding that the biggest difference between the two is hyperthreading, which will only be useful in rendering. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong...

As for the Quadro 2000, I have that on my machine at work. I don't do overly complex modeling here, so I can't attest to what it's full capabilities are, but I have not had a single problem with it since installation (running 2012, and now 2013).

And while it's being discussed, SSD is the way to go. I have a Crucial M4 at home, and an OCZ Vertex 4 at work. The OCZ is fast, and time will tell how reliable it is. Both rigs, home and work, have 16 GB of DDR3. They've been able to handle everything I've thrown at them, no problem.

 

[toycept]

Thanks for sharing your insights, GoPack13..... helpful.