Build a Windows-powered 'Mac Pro-like' PC workstation

Like the Mac Pro workstation but want one that runs Windows? Here's what you need to build one for considerably less.

The updated 12-core Mac Pro system is built around two 2.4GHz 6-core Intel Xeon E5645 processors. These processors are based on 32-nanometer Westmere architecture and were first produced during the first half of 2010. They're good processors, but I think we’d do better to go with a processor from the newer Intel "Sandy Bridge" line.

I've chosen the Intel Xeon E5-2430 6-core processor. This is a 2.2GHz part that can be turbo boosted to 2.7GHz and makes use of the LGA1356 socket. It's a bit more expensive than the E5645 but it's also better.

Remember that you need two of these processors.

Price: 2 x $560.

Intel Xeon E5-2430 6-core processor.

It should go without saying, you need a motherboard to fit the processors into. There are a lot of boards out there to choose from that will take dual Xeon processors. For this build I'm going for the ASUS Z9NA-D6 serverboard.

Not only does this part offer all the ports and connectors that you want from a motherboard, it has been designed so that it will fit into standard ATX cases and take ATX power supplies. This allows you to make use of more readily available, and cheaper, components.

Price: $300.

For this build I'm going to go for registered memory for this build and throw 24GB into the system in the form of 6 x 4GB modules from Crucial (part number CT3KIT51272BA1067). These come in 3 x 4GB kits so you will need two of them.

Unsure about how much RAM you need? Check out "How much RAM do I need?"

Price: 2 x $105.

For this build I'm going with a power supply that I've used many times and that I trust to deliver solid, reliable performance -- the CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX750 V2 750W. This offers 750W of power, and a wide range of connectors. On top of that, it's quiet and is 80 PLUS efficient so it won't cost too much to run.

Price: $110.

CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX750 V2 750W.

Apple packs a 1TB drive into the Mac Pro. I think that we can do much better. The 3TB Western Digital Caviar Green WD30EZRX will do nicely.

Price: $170.

Cooling two processors can get noisy, which is why I like to use ultra quiet parts.The Xeon processors don't come with coolers so we need to add a couple.

I've gone for a pair of Noctua NH-U9DX coolers. Not only are these really quiet but they are specially designed for dual Xeon systems and allow better cooling of the two processors.

Price: 2 x $60.

Noctua NH-U9DX coolers.

Nothing fancy here. The ASUS DRW-24B1ST is a basic drive capable of reading and writing data on CD-R/RW, DVD R/RW, DVD-RAM formats. This is a power saving drive that offers a feature to allow you to permanently delete the data on rewritable discs.

Price: $20.

Of course, this machine has to run something. We can slap on an OEM version of Microsoft's Windows 7 Professional 64-bit that will take full advantage of the vast amount of memory.

Price: $140.

Single-processor, quad-core modifications:

Substitute the 6-core Intel Xeon E5-2430 for a quad-core 3.3GHz Xeon E3-1245 part if you'd rather build a more modest single-processor quad-core system.

Based on 32nm Intel microarchitecture, the Intel Xeon processor E3-12xx series processors are designed with innovative features that allow you to enjoy faster application response time with reduced energy consumption.

Price: $280.

Single-processor, quad-core modifications:

No need for a motherboard that can support dual Xeon processors, so instead of the ASUS Z9NA-D6 we will instead go for the ASUS P8B WS motherboard.

ASUS Workstation Series motherboards bring you ultimate reliability and quality, and offer a 24-hour operation and a 24-month life cycle supply guarantee.

Price: $230.

Single-processor, quad-core modifications:

ASUS P8B WS motherboard.

Single-processor, quad-core modifications:

ASUS P8B WS motherboard.

Single-processor, quad-core modifications:

Since this motherboard is dual-channel rather than triple-channel, we need to buy RAM in pairs rather than packs of three.

Since this is a more modest build I'm going to drop the RAM down from 24GB to 16GB and add four Crucial 4GB modules (two packs of CT2KIT51272BA1067).

Price: 2 x $60.

Single-processor, quad-core modifications:

Since we're just using the one processor, we just need one cooler. I'm still sticking with the excellent Noctua NH-U9DX cooler.

Price: $60.