Upgrade 3D Workstation/gaming rig

[_k1nga_]

Hi Guys! After almost 5 years of honourable service I decided to pensionate part my old rig to being able to stick with the latest standard in 3D videogame modeling software and general level of details.
My old rig:

i5 2500k @ 4.5Ghz
Asus Z77 Sabertooth
16GB Dominator Platinum
Gigabyte G1 Gaming GTX970
SSD Samsung Pro840 256GB
Seagate Barracuda 1TB
Corsair AX1200
Corsair H100i
Cintiq 27QHD

Mainly, I want to upgrade the trio cpu/mobo/ram and probably in 1-2 months update the vga.

I choosed to go for 64GB of ram cause one of the main tool I use is Zbrush and it's pretty much hungry for memory when you go up with the polygons. The standard software I use pretty much every day are these:
Maya
Zbrush
Photoshop
Mari
Quixel Suite
Marmoset Toolbag

For the trio I'm thinking to this

AMD Ryzen 1800x
Gigabyte Aorus X370 Gaming 5
Corsair Vengeance 4x16GB 3200mhz CMU64GX4M4C3200C16

For the vga I'm thinking on a Asus Strix 1080 cause my monitor is a 2560x1440

My main concern is about the memory, I've read and watch loads of reviews but I can't get my mind straight on which model to choose. Any advice? I'm in your hands

 

[NeverBackDown]

You should consider the 1700 and overclock it. You'll get the same performance for much cheaper. That money can go to a new GPU later on.

As for memory the one you have is fine, but 4 sticks of memory is currently not working perfectly with Ryzen. It should be ironed out in time, but people are having issues with it.

 

[Bartacus]

What NBD said! Not sure what Gigabytes memory support is like, but running 4 DIMMs might be problematic at best. I seriously doubt you'd be able to run 4 sticks at 3200. You might have to run much lower than that, which would directly impact Ryzen's CPU performance. If you need that much RAM, I'd consider waiting for a bit.

Also, be sure to check Gigabyte's QVL list for that motherboard and see what memory kits are supported, if you haven't already.

 

[_k1nga_]

You should consider the 1700 and overclock it. You'll get the same performance for much cheaper. That money can go to a new GPU later on.

As for memory the one you have is fine, but 4 sticks of memory is currently not working perfectly with Ryzen. It should be ironed out in time, but people are having issues with it.

I thought about going with a 1700x instead but in this way I should go with the OC to reach an already existing CPU. Wouldn't be better to try and go with the 1800x and try to overclock maybe 1-200 mhz on top of that instead?

What NBD said! Not sure what Gigabytes memory support is like, but running 4 DIMMs might be problematic at best. I seriously doubt you'd be able to run 4 sticks at 3200. You might have to run much lower than that, which would directly impact Ryzen's CPU performance. If you need that much RAM, I'd consider waiting for a bit.

Also, be sure to check Gigabyte's QVL list for that motherboard and see what memory kits are supported, if you haven't already.

I checked the list but there don't seem to be any 16GB stick officially supported on that list. I could go with just 2x16GB for now, and add the extra 2x16GB when the bios will be updated in future but right now I'm not even sure it will live peacefully with one 16GB stick. So, with the goal set to 4x16GB, what speed do you suggest me? 2666 2400 ...? I don't get if your "waiting for a bit" is referred to the whole workstation or just the 4 sticks :huh:

 

[NeverBackDown]

I thought about going with a 1700x instead but in this way I should go with the OC to reach an already existing CPU. Wouldn't be better to try and go with the 1800x and try to overclock maybe 1-200 mhz on top of that instead?



I checked the list but there don't seem to be any 16GB stick officially supported on that list. I could go with just 2x16GB for now, and add the extra 2x16GB when the bios will be updated in future but right now I'm not even sure it will live peacefully with one 16GB stick. So, with the goal set to 4x16GB, what speed do you suggest me? 2666 2400 ...? I don't get if your "waiting for a bit" is referred to the whole workstation or just the 4 sticks :huh:

Get the 1700, then OC to 4ghz. You'll get the exact same performance as a 1800x for way less money. You don't need an 1800x or a 1700x.

 

[Bartacus]

I checked the list but there don't seem to be any 16GB stick officially supported on that list. I could go with just 2x16GB for now, and add the extra 2x16GB when the bios will be updated in future but right now I'm not even sure it will live peacefully with one 16GB stick. So, with the goal set to 4x16GB, what speed do you suggest me? 2666 2400 ...? I don't get if your "waiting for a bit" is referred to the whole workstation or just the 4 sticks :huh:

I recommended waiting for the entire system for the memory issues to be ironed out. You *could* start with 2x16, but you're still taking a chance, unless you don't mind spending more $$$ on memory. I'm just putting together a Ryzen rig at the moment (just started), and I chose to err on the side of caution and made sure I got good Samsung B-die single-sided ram (2 x 8GB, 3600mhz CL15). But that cost me $300CDN. Since you can't get single sided 16GB DIMMS, you might be stuck at 2133mhz or 2666mhz.

Now keep in mind that everything I'm saying is based on research, not actual experience. I'll be booting my rig for the first time tonight and updating the BIOS to a beta version right off the bat. This platform is very new, and has a LOT of kinks that need to be worked out. SO if you have a rig that you use in the meantime, I'd stick with that for about another month, and then do some Googling on that Gigabyte board and see how people are making out with it.

 

[_k1nga_]

Get the 1700, then OC to 4ghz. You'll get the exact same performance as a 1800x for way less money. You don't need an 1800x or a 1700x.

yeah,but in doing that i'm gambling a lot on getting a really good chip. I'd rather at least go with a 1700x,in case I get a bad chip I'll still have just a 200mhz difference. This will be a cpu for work mainly so I wouldn't like to spend too much time and effort with the problems of the OC

I recommended waiting for the entire system for the memory issues to be ironed out. You *could* start with 2x16, but you're still taking a chance, unless you don't mind spending more $$$ on memory. I'm just putting together a Ryzen rig at the moment (just started), and I chose to err on the side of caution and made sure I got good Samsung B-die single-sided ram (2 x 8GB, 3600mhz CL15). But that cost me $300CDN. Since you can't get single sided 16GB DIMMS, you might be stuck at 2133mhz or 2666mhz.

Now keep in mind that everything I'm saying is based on research, not actual experience. I'll be booting my rig for the first time tonight and updating the BIOS to a beta version right off the bat. This platform is very new, and has a LOT of kinks that need to be worked out. SO if you have a rig that you use in the meantime, I'd stick with that for about another month, and then do some Googling on that Gigabyte board and see how people are making out with it.

Ok, I get what you say, and I think you have a point. Initially I wanted to do my rig based on a X99 but then Ryzen arrived and I've been really pleased with the result they showed us.
I'll probably wait a bit and see what happen.

Thank you both!

 

[NeverBackDown]

yeah,but in doing that i'm gambling a lot on getting a really good chip. I'd rather at least go with a 1700x,in case I get a bad chip I'll still have just a 200mhz difference. This will be a cpu for work mainly so I wouldn't like to spend too much time and effort with the problems of the OC
Thank you both!

You aren't betting anything. Basically, every Ryzen chip can OC to 3.9ghz or 4ghz. It is not risky at all. It's your money, you can buy whichever you want, but I am trying to tell you, you don't need it. Again your money so buy whichever makes you the most comfortable.

You are welcome and good luck

 

[Reloaded2]

Listen to NeverBackDown and get the 1700x. Its been proven time and time again to OC to the 1800X and the 1800 isn't worth the extra money. Trust us its the best option

 

[Excalabur50]

I'm with NBD on this one don't buy the 1800x get the 1700 and put the money saved towards something else it's the smart move

 

[Avet]

I agree with the rest. 1700 OC is the best way to go. You should go for 2x16 memory for now. They will work out 4 slot memory eventually, then you can upgrade to 64GB. There are officially supported 16GB 3200 sticks:
CORSAIR CMK32GX4M2B3200C16 DS 16-18-18-36 1.35v
CORSAIR CMK32GX4M2B3200C16R DS 16-18-18-36 1.35v
CORSAIR CMK32GX4M2B3200C16W DS 16-18-18-36 1.35v
CORSAIR CMU32GX4M2C3200C16 ver4.31 16-18-18-36 1.35v v
CORSAIR CMU32GX4M2C3200C16R ver4.31 16-18-18-36 1.35v

 

[_k1nga_]

You aren't betting anything. Basically, every Ryzen chip can OC to 3.9ghz or 4ghz. It is not risky at all. It's your money, you can buy whichever you want, but I am trying to tell you, you don't need it. Again your money so buy whichever makes you the most comfortable.

You are welcome and good luck

Listen to NeverBackDown and get the 1700x. Its been proven time and time again to OC to the 1800X and the 1800 isn't worth the extra money. Trust us its the best option

I'm with NBD on this one don't buy the 1800x get the 1700 and put the money saved towards something else it's the smart move

Thank you so much to all of you. I think I'll definitely follow your suggest! I came here to the forum to hear people with more experience than me I think I'll wait a bit to see what gigabyte does with that mobo in the meantime

 

[_k1nga_]

I agree with the rest. 1700 OC is the best way to go. You should go for 2x16 memory for now. They will work out 4 slot memory eventually, then you can upgrade to 64GB. There are officially supported 16GB 3200 sticks:
CORSAIR CMK32GX4M2B3200C16 DS 16-18-18-36 1.35v
CORSAIR CMK32GX4M2B3200C16R DS 16-18-18-36 1.35v
CORSAIR CMK32GX4M2B3200C16W DS 16-18-18-36 1.35v
CORSAIR CMU32GX4M2C3200C16 ver4.31 16-18-18-36 1.35v v
CORSAIR CMU32GX4M2C3200C16R ver4.31 16-18-18-36 1.35v

I missed your message before. Thanks! I'll check these models. But as the other said before, will it be smart to go with 3200 memories?

 

[Reloaded2]

Im glad you found our advice useful You wont be disappointed.

 

[Avet]

I missed your message before. Thanks! I'll check these models. But as the other said before, will it be smart to go with 3200 memories?

As long as you have 2 sticks and not 4. There should be no problems.

 

[_k1nga_]

Mainly, I want to upgrade the trio cpu/mobo/ram and probably in 1-2 months update the vga.

I choosed to go for 64GB of ram cause one of the main tool I use is Zbrush and it's pretty much hungry for memory when you go up with the polygons. The standard software I use pretty much every day are these:
Maya
Zbrush
Photoshop
Mari
Quixel Suite
Marmoset Toolbag

Keeping in mind the main purpose, work and gaming on the spare time in the past days I kept looking out for people who tried to run Ryzen with 4x16GB kit and as you already said, the situation right now is not that good.
I was thinking if I should maybe stick to the X99 platform,since it allows for double the maximum memory and it already shows to be particularly reliable.
I'll start right now with a 6800k+64GB of ram with the chance of double that amount of ram if really needed in the next years without having the issue of changing the socket.
Do you think it is something worth to do? This could easily be just a sunday morning stupid thought probably

 

[Avet]

Intel is certainly more stable platform for now. And if budget is not the problem there is no downside. If you are not in need for an upgrade i would recommend waiting until summer. Intel X299 is due in few months.