3D modeling/Gaming computer help

[GetTheDarkOuT!]

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
I will use this computer for 3D modeling, gaming and video editing.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
1200$ for the desktop and 200$ for monitor and mouse (more or less for both)

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
Canada

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

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
My lovely keyboard.. so lovely:awe:

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7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
I don't know, maybe(help me on that one!)

8. What resolution will you be using?
Depends on what i'm doing..

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
Note that it is usually not cost or time effective to choose your build more than a month before you actually plan to be using it.
As soon as possible

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X. Do you need to purchase any software to go with the system, such as Windows or Blu Ray playback software?
Windows 7

Thanks a lot to all of you
I'm a noob at this stuff, so help me by suggesting builds or computers I could buy somewhere.

 

[lehtv]

On your budget I'd take this build: http://forums.anandtech.com/showpost.php?p=33109926&postcount=12. Change the case to something else you like better, get this PSU, and possibly get i7-2600K instead of i5-2500K to help with modelling and video encoding.

If you don't want to wait for 7850/7870 to be released, get GTX 560 Ti 448 cores for $270 AR. But I'd wait for 7850/7870. The much lower power consumption would make it possible to crossfire it on a 650w psu later, even though it's unlikely you'd need to.

Monitor - e.g. Asus VE247H $180 AR shipped. Personally I'd rather spend a bit more for a 27" monitor, even at the cost of not upgrading the CPU to 2600K. Or spend more money on a quality keyboard. Personal choices though.

That's about it.

 

[mfenn]

On your budget I'd take this build: http://forums.anandtech.com/showpost.php?p=33109926&postcount=12. Change the case to something else you like better, get this PSU, and possibly get i7-2600K instead of i5-2500K to help with modelling and video encoding.

If you don't want to wait for 7850/7870 to be released, get GTX 560 Ti 448 cores for $270 AR. But I'd wait for 7850/7870. The much lower power consumption would make it possible to crossfire it on a 650w psu later, even though it's unlikely you'd need to.

Monitor - e.g. Asus VE247H $180 AR shipped. Personally I'd rather spend a bit more for a 27" monitor, even at the cost of not upgrading the CPU to 2600K. Or spend more money on a quality keyboard. Personal choices though.

That's about it.

Maybe I am missing something here, but doesn't that come in over the OP's budget, especially with the 7870?

 

[lehtv]

Oh yeah, need to count the OS in. No biggie, that just means that no 7870 or 2600K. With 7850 (est. $250) and the same system as linked and the suggested PSU, it'd be $1145 AR. Then add Windows 7 64 HP ($100).

Possible to shave off some of the cost without making any radical changes to the core system. This would save $45:
Asrock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 $135
Cheaper case, e.g. Fractal Design Core 3000 $70

And if you want to bring it down even more, you can cut SSD capacity in half (-$60) and leave out the aftermarket cooler for now (-$30).

 

[Skott]

Well, the 3D modeling and the Video editing will require as much cpu and ram as you can afford. The 2600K will be ideal but if you have to sacrifice the 2500K will do the job. 8Gb ram to start if you can but make sure the mobo will support 24Gb or preferably 32Gb ram so later on down the road you can expand and add to that initial 8Gb RAM. You can also get by with a mid range GPU as far as the Modeling and Editing goes. High end is not going to make a difference there I believe. However you will game so something with a lot of power is even better. To save money at start go with something mid range if you have to because later on you can always upgrade that GPU when money becomes available. basically leave yourself some growing room in that rig. GPU and Ram are the easiest to add after a build so remember that. Those are the first places to save money on IMO at the beginning but easily improved upon later on as money becomes available.

 

[ShadowVVL]

Pretty much what skott said, for 3d go with a lot of ram and a 2500k or 2600k.3d and video editing don't benefit from large gpus unless in 3d if you have a large complex scene with tons of texture, even then a 460 or 6850 is all you need.Since you are also going for a gaming pc it wont hurt to get a bigger gpu if needed.

 

[lehtv]

8Gb ram to start if you can but make sure the mobo will support 24Gb or preferably 32Gb ram so later on down the road you can expand and add to that initial 8Gb RAM.

For that you'd need 8GB sticks that are more expensive per gigabyte, 2x8GB 1333MHz costs about $110, $44 more than 4x4GB 1333. It'd also increase the cost of the OS - home premium supports only up to 16GB, pro costs $50 more.

 

[Skott]

For that you'd need 8GB sticks that are more expensive per gigabyte, 2x8GB 1333MHz costs about $110, $44 more than 4x4GB 1333. It'd also increase the cost of the OS - home premium supports only up to 16GB, pro costs $50 more.

True but if he wants to have lots of RAM later on, and RAM will definitely help in 3D modeling and Video Editing he will want to go that route. Then again maybe he wont want it. His choice. He does need to think about it though and plan accordingly.

 

[lehtv]

I think it depends on exactly how important each of 3d modelling, gaming and video editing are. If gaming is a minor thing then it could make sense to have capacity for RAM and processing power while only going as high as 6850 or GTX 460.

 

[Skott]

I think it depends on exactly how important each of 3d modelling, gaming and video editing are. If gaming is a minor thing then it could make sense to have capacity for RAM and processing power while only going as high as 6850 or GTX 460.

I agree completely. He needs to decide what is most important and then go from there. He has lots of options. Once he nails down a idea and plan then we can pretty much suggest exact components and best deals and where to find them to help him.

 

[SickBeast]

I'm a bit out of the loop with this stuff today, but I know you used to be able to mod your graphics card into a workstation card. It might be good for the OP to have that option, or he might even benefit from looking into workstation cards.

I know CAD and stuff use Direct3D and with our modern GPUs you can probably do OK with a midrange gaming card, but it's worth looking into.

As for the ram, I would simply populate all the slots with cheap 4gb DIMMs. It doesn't make sense to pay such a premium for 8gb DIMMs. By the time he wants to upgrade, the 8gb modules will be standard and will be dirt cheap.

 

[mfenn]

True but if he wants to have lots of RAM later on, and RAM will definitely help in 3D modeling and Video Editing he will want to go that route. Then again maybe he wont want it. His choice. He does need to think about it though and plan accordingly.

You'd have to have to be doing some serious (movie level) modeling to use 32GB of RAM on your workstation. At that level, you're likely to need a whole render farm to generate your images in a reasonable amount of time. Realistically speaking, 16GB is plenty for what you can hope to reasonably render on a single workstation.

 

[GetTheDarkOuT!]

Thank you very very much guys!
I'll get back to you if i have other questions, i'm such a noob on that stuff, ...
i'm scared! haha Time for shopping and check what's good

 

[Skott]

Don't let our discussion scare you. Just us debating the various possibilities.

 

[GetTheDarkOuT!]

oh it's all right! it is very interesting! I like how everyone knows so much about computers and everything.
Also, I am greatful for this kindness from all of you, for helping others when needed!*violins and tears* haha

 

[mfenn]

Be sure to post here if you run into any trouble during the build or just want to let us know how it went.

 

[GetTheDarkOuT!]

YES! It is going to be soon !!
(And, i just realised i wrote greatful and not grateful .. oh mamma)