$MIF Devs Cooking with Some Heat: The Perfect PC Build for Blockchain & AI Development

Parts

• CPU: Intel Core i9 with 24 processors, 14th Gen
• GPU: 4090 MSI GPU
• RAM: Corsair Vengeance 128GB (2x 64GB) DDR4
• NVME Storage: 2TB NVME M.2 Gen4 SSD (2x WD Black)
• PSU: Power Supply Unit (PSU): Corsair 1000W
• Case: PC Case: Corsair 7000D Full Tower
• Additional: Beats Studio3 headphones
• CPU Cooling: Corsair Link iCue H150i Water Cooler
• Future Plans: 4 8TB Corsair BarraCuda & 2TB NVME M.2 Gen4 SSD (3x WD Black)

The Journey

Three years may not seem like a significant period, but in the realm of technology, it’s practically a lifetime. As an avid PC enthusiast, I recently embarked on a journey to revamp my beloved rig after neglecting upgrades for far too long. In this article, I’ll take you through my exhilarating experience of transforming my outdated setup into a powerhouse machine capable of conquering any task I throw at it.

The Decision to Upgrade:
The catalyst for change arose when I noticed my faithful PC struggling to keep pace with the demands of contemporary computing tasks, particularly in speeding up compilation time for Rust code and delving into open-source AI experiments. Despite its reliability, it was evident that my system was lagging behind, exhibiting sluggish performance in resource-intensive applications and grappling with limited storage capacity. Following meticulous contemplation and thorough investigation, I resolved to initiate a thorough upgrade process aimed at revitalizing my setup and enhancing its capabilities to accommodate my evolving computing needs.

Choosing the Right Components:
Recognizing that the cornerstone of any successful upgrade lies in selecting the right components, I spared no expense in this regard. Understanding the importance of ample power delivery, my first priority led me to choose the Corsair 1000W PSU, offering generous headroom for future expansions. Complementing this, I opted for the ASUS z790 motherboard, renowned for its robust performance and compatibility with high-performance components.

Moreover, I meticulously selected the Corsair 7000D Full Tower with case, esteemed for its capacious interior and superior airflow management. It’s a clear choice for ensuring that my components remain cool and perform optimally under pressure. Too further enhance this choice, I chose the Corsair Link iCue H150i water cooling. These came with revolutionary iCue fans which daisy chain to mitigate loose cables. This new fan cable is so innovative that I will exclusively buy Corsair iCue Magnetic Link fans from now on. With these top-tier components in place, I’m confident in the reliability and efficiency of my upgraded system.

Storage was another area where I aimed for maximum performance and capacity. Equipped with dual WD Black 2TB NVME M.2 Gen4 SSDs, I now enjoy lightning-fast data transfer speeds and ample space to store my growing collection of games, media, and projects.

When it came to memory, I spared no expense, investing in 128GB of Corsair Vengeance RAM. With a blistering speed of 3200MHz and ample capacity, multitasking has never been smoother.

Of course, no upgrade would be complete without a powerful CPU and GPU duo. I opted for the Intel Core i9 with 24 processors, 14th Gen, ensuring lightning-fast processing power for both productivity and gaming. Additionally, I opted in for integrated graphics to simplify testing. Pairing it with the formidable 4090 GPU, acquired at a discounted rate during the crypto bear market, I now enjoy buttery-smooth frame rates and stunning visual fidelity in even the most demanding titles.

For the cherry on the ice cream, I treated myself to the Beats Studio3 headphones, delivering immersive audio experiences whether I’m gaming, listening to music, or editing videos.

The Upgrade Process:
With all the components in hand, the upgrade process began in earnest. From carefully routing cables for optimal airflow to meticulously installing each component with precision, every step was executed with the utmost care and attention to detail. Despite a few minor hiccups along the way, such as realizing the Antec case I initially purchased couldn’t accommodate the PSU, the upgrade process was surprisingly smooth.

The End Result:
After hours of labor and anticipation, the moment of truth finally arrived. Powering on my newly upgraded rig for the first time was a moment of sheer exhilaration. As the system booted up with lightning speed, I knew that all the time and effort invested in the upgrade had been worth it.

Future Plans:

My next plans involve a raid 0 setup with 5 NVME drives and a raid 5 on 4 8TB Seagate BarraCuda SSD drives. The raid 0 allows me to load the AI models and compile code much faster. Blockchains require a lot of memory, so on the 32 TB raid 5, I will run test validators for different blockchains and backups.

The raid 0 will provide speeds of 5 * 7.6GB/s = 38GB/s on 10TB. The raid 5 will provide 3 * .7GB/s = 2.1GB/s with 24TB of memory. Raid 0 allows for max speed with the risk of losing all data on the drives if one fails, while Raid 5 allows for a combination of safety and speed. It will use 1 drive worth of data for parity which is why it will be 24TB instead of 32TB. This is why the SSD Raid will be used to back up data and the run blockchain nodes.

Conclusion:
Upgrading my PC after three years was an exhilarating journey that reignited my passion for technology. With a powerhouse setup featuring top-of-the-line components, I now have the performance and reliability to tackle any task with confidence. Whether I’m gaming, streaming, or tackling intensive workloads, my revamped rig stands ready to deliver an unparalleled computing experience.

If you have thought about upgrading your computer recently, this build change your life. I’ve done the research for you, so you just have to follow the links above to update your gaming and dev kitchen.