I recently assembled a GPU training workstation, total cost 64,781 CNY, and the computer runs stably after powering on.

NVIDIA Graphics Card

I chose the current top‑end consumer GPU, the TITAN Xp, and grabbed four units on JD.com at 9,699 CNY each, totaling 38,796 CNY. The cards come with a three‑year warranty, which expires in November 2020.

Some technical specifications of the TITAN Xp,

CPU and Motherboard

When choosing a CPU, I weighed Intel against AMD repeatedly. Although the AMD Threadripper 1950X is powerful, I considered the GPU workstation’s CPU to be a secondary component and ultimately went with Intel. Among Intel’s X99 and X299 boards, I selected the more mature X99 platform, the Asus X99‑E‑10G WS motherboard. This board includes a 10 GbE NIC for fast NAS data access. Because domestic prices were high and there were no discounts on Singles’ Day, I ordered it directly from Amazon Italy for 3,334 CNY. The motherboard has no warranty; I prayed it would stay trouble‑free.

Paired with the X99 board, I chose an Intel 6th‑gen CPU. Considering the required number of PCI Express lanes, I selected the i7‑6850K with 40 lanes, offering the best price‑performance ratio. I bought it on Amazon Spain for 2,490 CNY, and thanks to Intel’s global warranty, it is covered until November 2020.

Memory

Memory prices were high, so I purchased a total of 128 GB in two batches to reach the X99 board’s maximum. The first purchase was four G.Skill Trident Z DDR4‑3200 16 GB modules with the best‑available C14 timings, costing 6,673 CNY.

The second batch added four Kingston Predator DDR4‑3000 16 GB modules for 6,190 CNY. The 128 GB of RAM totals 12,863 CNY, averaging 100 CNY per GB 😅. All of these modules have lifetime warranties and can be replaced if they fail.

Case and Power Supply

Power supply selection focused on capacity and stability, leading me to the high‑end EVGA 1600T2 with an 80 Plus Titanium rating. This PSU costs 2,419 CNY and includes a 10‑year warranty until November 2027.

Choosing a case was more involved. I initially wanted an aesthetically pleasing home‑use case, but few can accommodate four GPUs. Because the TITAN Xp is thick and four cards occupy eight PCI slots, I ultimately chose the Corsair AIR 540 classic case—the same as the NVIDIA DevBox—priced at 913 CNY with a two‑year warranty until November 2019.

Cooling and Dust Protection

As a first‑time GPU workstation builder, I opted for a simple and reliable air‑cooling solution. The cooler is the top‑tier Noctua NH‑D15, costing 539 CNY with a four‑year warranty until November 2023. The AIR 540 case can hold one industrial fan, three 14‑inch fans, and three 12‑inch fans, all from Noctua. Because the motherboard lacked enough fan headers, I added a Thermaltake fan hub.

The six fans together cost 975 CNY with a five‑year warranty until November 2023. To ensure proper airflow, I installed eight SilverStone dust filters (four 14 cm and four 12 cm) for 142 CNY, covered until November 2018.

SSD Drives

I selected a Samsung 960 PRO 512 GB NVMe M.2 SSD with a five‑year warranty until November 2022, priced at 2,200 CNY on Suning.

After installing CentOS 7, the system could not boot from the NVMe drive, so I added a Samsung 860 PRO SATA SSD. The OS resides on the 256 GB 860 PRO, while the 960 PRO is used for the /home partition.

Parts List

Total cost: 64,781 CNY