Help me improve this patchwork $1200 build

[nickv360]

I just threw together what appeared to be well-reviewed parts. I am not very knowledgeable about modern products, and where to find the value. I am sure there are improvements that can be made. My budget is a hard $1200. The main function will be doing 3D renderings in AutoCAD.

Motherboard: ASUS Sabertooth X58 LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131665
199.99

Processor: Intel Core i7-950 Bloomfield 3.06GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor BX80601950
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115211
294.99


Graphics Card: XFX HD-585X-ZAFC Radeon HD 5850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card w/ Eyefinity
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150477
229.99

Memory: CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TR3X6G1600C9
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145222
119.99

Power Supply: CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139006
109.99

Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5"
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136533
89.99

Optical Drive: ASUS Black 24X DvD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827135204
18.99

CPU Cooler: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835103065

Arctic Silver 5
9.99

Total: $1,123.92



Are the aftermarket CPU cooler / thermal paste good to get or unnecessary? Are there better bang for your buck options when it comes to GPU and RAM?

I've swapped some parts out of my PC, but never built one from scratch. Is this everything I will need? (I have OS, keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers)

 

[Davidh373]

Nix the 9xx series CPU and 1366 motherboard. Unless you are using this for CAD or 3D art, the i5 760 will actually perform better in games than the 9xx clocked the same.

EDIT: I think the 760 competes directly with the 930... but anand only has the 920 which matches with the 750. The 9xx will perform better in situations where rendering 3D or encoding video, but since those tasks aren't going to come about for a gamer very often, they aren't as relevant.

but as you can see, the i5 performs a little better for about $200 less total platform cost.

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/109?vs=47

 

[nickv360]

As I mentioned in the original post, the main use of this system will be AutoCAD. I have gotten a lot of mixed advice on whether the i7 is overkill, or whether it will be worth it considering the load of 3d renderings. Could more people weigh in on this specifically?

 

[Davidh373]

As I mentioned in the original post, the main use of this system will be AutoCAD. I have gotten a lot of mixed advice on whether the i7 is overkill, or whether it will be worth it considering the load of 3d renderings. Could more people weigh in on this specifically?

I'm sorry, I missed that, something like autocad would be well worth getting the 9xx for.

 

[fffblackmage]

Check if your rendering program benefits from CUDA. If it does then you'll want an nVidia GPU instead.

I recommend you pick up ram that runs on 1.5V.

750W is overkill. The Antec TP-550 seems to be a decent deal with the MIR.

 

[mfenn]

Agree with David and fffblackmage (man I seem to be saying that a lot) on the CPU and RAM (here's a G.Skill kit). The AS5 and Hyper 212+ are also unnecessary. You also don't need a 750TX, this S12II 520W is more than sufficient.

Finally, and this is the biggie, get a Quadro. No, seriously, just do it. The Quadro will support CUDA and have AutoCAD optimized drivers. The Quadro 2000 is the only current-generation one within your price range. It is a much less powerful gaming GPU than the 5850, but that shouldn't matter for this build.

 

[Davidh373]

Finally, and this is the biggie, get a Quadro. No, seriously, just do it. The Quadro will support CUDA and have AutoCAD optimized drivers. The Quadro 2000 is the only current-generation one within your price range. It is a much less powerful gaming GPU than the 5850, but that shouldn't matter for this build.

I really didn't notice this either. AMD has horrible driver support. Honestly I had so many problems on my 4890 with my professional apps. 3DS Max could only run on one display, so I had to be uncomfortable working on one monitor, I had many problems with dual monitors in games where it would freeze one monitor, or just go black and I'd have to restart or hope control + alt + Delete would work. Get a Quadro, or at least a NVidia card, you'll experience less technical problems, believe me. Now is it alright for gaming? yeah, not good for a workstation though...

 

[nickv360]

thanks for the help.

i made some changes. I stuck with the i7 950, but I found a combo deal with the mobo I wanted, so I was able to save $15. I changed to a gtx470, a 650w PSU, a 64GB SSD, a 1TB spinpoint for storage, and my total is up to 1270. It's over budget, but i think its acceptable.

http://img600.imageshack.us/img600/2366/buildd.jpg

What do you guys think? the nvidia card should be better for cad, although the quadro seems to be out of my price range. even the 2000 is $450 on newegg. its just too much to spend on a gpu. this rig should be able to handle cad renderings just fine right?

 

[Davidh373]

What do you guys think? the nvidia card should be better for cad, although the quadro seems to be out of my price range. even the 2000 is $450 on newegg. its just too much to spend on a gpu. this rig should be able to handle cad renderings just fine right?

yes, my 920 flys on 3DS Max, and it's the same kind of deal. The 470 is also a great card.

 

[nickv360]

can you guys explain what ffblackmage meant about getting RAM that runs on 1.5v?

You're telling me I should get the cheaper RAM of these two sets:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231225

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231223

Why is that?

 

[mfenn]

thanks for the help.

i made some changes. I stuck with the i7 950, but I found a combo deal with the mobo I wanted, so I was able to save $15. I changed to a gtx470, a 650w PSU, a 64GB SSD, a 1TB spinpoint for storage, and my total is up to 1270. It's over budget, but i think its acceptable.

http://img600.imageshack.us/img600/2366/buildd.jpg

What do you guys think? the nvidia card should be better for cad, although the quadro seems to be out of my price range. even the 2000 is $450 on newegg. its just too much to spend on a gpu. this rig should be able to handle cad renderings just fine right?

No, you really want a Quadro. It really has nothing to do with the card itself, and everything to do with the drivers. My post explained how to get the Quadro for near your budget (yes, I did the math).

can you guys explain what ffblackmage meant about getting RAM that runs on 1.5v?

You're telling me I should get the cheaper RAM of these two sets:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231225

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231223

Why is that?

DDR3 1600 isn't natively supported on the X58 platform, and even if it was, the performance difference isn't worth the cost.

RAM that runs over 1.5V is not good for the i7's memory controller. It will lead to degradation and instability over a period of time. There is a reason that Dell won't sell you a server or workstation with 1.65V RAM.

 

[RussianSensation]

RAM that runs over 1.5V is not good for the i7's memory controller. It will lead to degradation and instability over a period of time. There is a reason that Dell won't sell you a server or workstation with 1.65V RAM.

Actually, the maximum supported voltage for Core i3/i5/i7 is 1.65V . Anything above 1.65V is unsafe, but anything at or below 1.65V is 100% warrantied by Intel. Getting ram that runs below 1.65V will let the processor run a little cooler.

I would get an aftermarket cooler though because stock intel heatsinks are too loud and will result in the processor running at 80*C at load. I see that you have chosen the CM212+ which is great. However, with Corsair A70 available at $33 I would go that route, especially in case you decide to overclock later.

No, you really want a Quadro. It really has nothing to do with the card itself, and everything to do with the drivers.

You, Mfenn, you are good!

Source for the benchmark.

Quadro FX4800 is $1500 on Newegg though. Ouch.

 

[betasub]

^ Quadro looks nice if you have pro-$, but is does look like GTX470 (or .ini moded GTX460?) are capable if OP wasn't so reliant on pro-performance.

 

[mfenn]

Actually, the maximum supported voltage for Core i3/i5/i7 is 1.65V . Anything above 1.65V is unsafe, but anything at or below 1.65V is 100% warrantied by Intel. Getting ram that runs below 1.65V will let the processor run a little cooler.

Yes, but (and it's a big but) pretty much every motherboard that I've seen overvolts the VDIMM. So your 1.65V ram is really running at something like 1.66V, which is out of spec. 1.5V RAM doesn't have this problem. Also, the JEDEC spec (JESD 79-3B) states that DDR3 devices only have to function at up to 1.575V. Thus, while 1.65V will work, I still don't recommend it.