[lelandt50]

Hey all, my first post here. I'm a grad student in ME, and I use StarCCM+ for much of my research. I'm have been lent a workstation with a Xeon W-2155 @3.3GHz (10 core), and 64GB RAM to use for my work. I'm currently in the process of building a server, but on a grad student budget. The primary purpose of the server is to host a 10gbE NAS RAID 10 to store the large amount of data being created from my research. I'm a bit lost on what kind of processor to buy. I'd like to get something that can tackle some CFD in StarCCM+, or possibly be used in tandem (over the 10gbE LAN) with my workstation to speed up my simulations. Max I can afford is ~$750 USD for the processor. I've been looking at the Core i9-10900X, 10900K. The K has a higher clock speed, but the X seems to support way more memory and I believe has a way higher memory bandwidth (which I'm learning is important for CFD). I'm also considering AMD processors. Ryzen 9 3900/3950 or even the 5900s are within budget I believe. Older Threadrippers are within budget too. Also open to getting USED Xeons, as newer ones are outside my budget. I understand only Xeons are capable of being put into two processor systems, so maybe even a single Xeon within budget would be smarter, since I could add a second one in time to somewhat future proof this build. I'd like to stick this in an ATX / Extended ATX case, but am tentatively open to a Rack Mount case. Some advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much in advance!