$1100 3d modeling/rendering computer

[Linguini1233]

Hey guys!


What do you think of this PC? this is my first built, I’m an architect to be and need a computer that can easily run programs such as Revit, Lumion, 3ds max, Photoshop…etc.


I’ve chosen the GPU based on the PassMark score from Lumion’s requirements and the SLI capability for future expansion (though SLI doesn't work with Lumion). Do I really need a Quadro? According to the PassMark scores the GTXs work better for less. Is the PassMark score all that I should be taking into account? Am I missing something crucial to choose the GPU? Will it be worth to buy the GTX 760 4GB instead of the 2 GB?

For the Cpu I’ll get the best that my budget allows to help my rendering; am I bottlenecking the CPU with the GPU or vice versa? I plan to add more RAM in the near future, right now I’m short on budget.

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K Quad-Core Desktop Processor 3.5 GHZ 8 MB Cache (BX80646I74770K) $338.98


GPU: Gigabyte GTX 760 GDDR5-2GB 2xDVI/HDMI/DP OC WINDFORCE 3X Graphics Cards GV-N760OC-2GD REV2.0 $249.99


MoBo: Gigabyte GA-Z87X-UD3H Desktop Motherboard - Intel Z87 Express Chipset- LGA-1150 $144.99


RAM: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB Kit (4GBx2) DDR3 1600 MT/s (PC3-12800) CL9 @1.5V UDIMM 240-Pin Memory (BLS2CP4G3D1609DS1S00) $74.99


HDD WD Blue 1 TB Desktop Hard Drive: 3.5 Inch, 7200 RPM, SATA 6 Gb/s, 64 MB Cache (WD10EZEX) $64.95


PSU: KENTEK 800 Watt 800W 120mm Fan ATX Power Supply 12V 2.3 EPS12V 2.92 SLI-ready PCI-Express SATA 20/24 PIN Intel AMD $43.99


Monitor: ASUS VS228H-P 22-Inch Full-HD 5ms LED-Lit LCD Monitor $137.99


TOTAL: $1,055.88


I still have to buy the case, but I won’t do it on line; already have the optical drive, keyboard and mouse.


With this configuration my upgrades for the future will be:
+8 Gb Ram
250 GB SSD
CPU cooler for overclocking

Thank you!!

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
Mainly a 3d modeling/rendering computer, though I occasionally play videogames
Programs (in order of relevance): Revit, Lumion, 3ds max, Photoshop, Autocad, V-ray, Rhino…and fps games

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
$1100

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
US, Amazon

4. IF you're buying parts OUTSIDE the US…
No

5. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.
Intel and Nvidia

6. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
Optical drive

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
No overclocking at the moment, though I’ll like to have the chance to do it later

8. What resolution, not monitor size, will you be using?
1920x1080

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
Next week

X. Do you need to purchase any software to go with the system, such as Windows or Blu Ray playback software?
No

 

[lehtv]

Did you already buy the components you listed, or are those just what you're currently thinking of purchasing? It looks fine apart from the PSU which is both overkill and terrible quality. You need a reliable 500 watt unit, not a cheaply built 800 watt unit. E.g. Seasonic G550.

I would probably not do OC'ing for these uses. You'll get maximum bang for buck with a Xeon E3-1230 V3 and a H87 chipset board. This should allow you to get 2x8GB of RAM to begin with, leaving two slots free, or to add an SSD into the mix. You only need a 120GB drive for the OS and all the applications (including a few games).

You won't need a workstation card (architectural modeling doesn't need to be that precise, it's all approximations anyway). A GTX 760 2GB would be plenty, actually it will be overkill for anything but gaming (e.g. Photoshop can be maxed out with a GTX 650). You may want to also consider the 660 Ti.

I wouldn't get a 22" 1080p monitor. I would much rather have a 23"+ monitor with a height adjustable stand. Asus PB238Q and Dell U2312HM, for instance.

 

[Linguini1233]

What I'm thinking of purchasing

 

[Linguini1233]

Is the GPU ok for the components that you mentioned or should I buy another one?

 

[Linguini1233]

I like the idea of the Xeon allowing more RAM and will definitely consider the GPU options. Thank you so much for your help!!

 

[mfenn]

I agree with Lehtv on the PSU and CPU. The G550 he mentioned is good, but this XFX Core 550W is also built by Seasonic and costs at little less at $62.

As for the GPU, according to Autodesk you do need a Quadro if you want to get support on Revit. That being said, a GeForce will probably work fine 99.9% of the time. Whether or not to get a Quadro depends on how important it is for you to be able to get help for the 0.1% of the time where it doesn't work.

 

[LurchFrinky]

I also agree, but I think I would stress the need for an SSD a little more.
Waiting to read and write your files to disk will really start to annoy as you get to more complicated and larger files.
Plus, there is always the chance that you make a mistake when upgrading your OS drive later and all of your data is wiped.

 

[Throckmorton]

You need a real IPS monitor, not some crappy 22" TN! Check out the Asus PA248Q or PA249Q.

And I would get an SSD because that kind of work involves a lot of random reads and writes.

You could save money by going with an i5 CPU. I doubt any architecture or 3D program can take advantage of hyperthreading.

Also a Seasonic or Corsair PSU.

 

[Linguini1233]

Thanks for the recommendations; this is what I have so far:


CPU: Xeon E3-1230 V3
MoBo: Gigabyte (GA-H87-D3H)
GPU: EVGA Gtx 660 2 GB, the 660ti has almost the same price as the 760
SSD Samsung SSD 840 EVO 120GB
PSU: XFX core 550W
RAM: Corsair Vengeance 16GB DDR3 1600
Monitor: Dell Ultra Sharp U2312HM
HDD WD 1 TB 7200RPM

Total: $ 1100.60

I have to say that I’m quite happy with this built. Is there anything else that I should consider? I’ll be buying as soon as possible but before I want to be sure that there is no other inconvenient with the components.


Thanks!

 

[lehtv]

It'd be good to know exactly what you're paying for each component.

Mobo - Asrock H87 Performance $100 - has high quality integrated sound, otherwise similar to H87-D3H
RAM - Crucial Ballistix Sport 2x8GB 1600 $120 - probably cheaper than Vengeance right?
HDD - make sure it's the Blue drive, not the Black or Red one. WD Blue 1TB WD10EZEX is actually just $55 on amazon at the moment, amazing price.

What case are you planning to get? WHy not buy it online? Amazon has a decent price on NZXT Soruce 210 Elite for $43

 

[Linguini1233]

Of course, here they are:


CPU: Xeon E3-1230 V3 $254
MoBo: Gigabyte (GA-H87-D3H) $113
GPU: EVGA Gtx 660 2 GB $175
SSD Samsung SSD 840 EVO 120GB $100
PSU: XFX core 550W $61
RAM: Crucial Ballistix 16GB DDR3 1600 $120 (the Vengeance was $150)
Monitor: Dell Ultra Sharp U2312HM $205
HDD WD Blue 1 TB 7200RPM $65
Case: NZXT Source 210 ELITE $43

Total: $1,136

I was going to get the case with a friend of mine but I prefer the one you posted.

 

[mfenn]

That looks fine to me. I'd swap the board for the one that lehtv suggested though. It's not a better price anymore but the ASRock is still within $2. You might as well get an ALC1150 versus the ALC892 that's in the Gigabyte.

 

[Linguini1233]

I bought the computer yesterday and chose the Asrock motherboard as you suggested.
Thanks a lot guys, I appreciate all your help!!

 

[lehtv]

This should be a kickass build, hope u will like it! Post back if u run into any problems

 

[mfenn]

Awesome, let us know how the build goes!