Help with Specs

[posto5]

I want to build up a new desktop PC to myself. It has to be robust, but no need to be cutting edge. I mainly use if for games and some 3D applications. Because I live in a country where technology costs a lot because of taxes, I would like to have 2 alternatives, one Intel based and the other AMD based. I have no intention to overclock it. Could you please help me out? Thanks and regards.

 

[The Merg]

There are many different factors that would play into building your own desktop. You state that it needs to be robust, but not cutting edge. Is there a reason that a retail computer with some added options won't do the trick for you? Also, what kind of spending range are you looking at? You can come up with a robust system and spend anywhere from $500 to $2,000. Are you also looking at a monitor or dual monitor set up? Try to be as detailed as possible for what you want and we'll try to help.

- Merg

 

[posto5]

Thanks. It is very hard to find a retail computer with a robust spec in my country. Also, since taxes are a very significant part of the price, it is very hard to compare retail prices with other countries. Regarding the monitor, just one is enough.

 

[MisterDonut]

Budget ?

 

[posto5]

Because of taxes, it is hard to compare prices, or give you an indication. In my country you can double the prices found in the US retail market. But, let's assume a budget of USD 2.500 or equivalent in the US market.

 

[MisterDonut]

If you mean 2,500 USD, you can get an incredible top notch system. Even with that budget cut in half, you can build a very very decent system. If you have time along with that budget, I would honestly wait for NVIDIA to release their next line of graphics (some time close to May-ish 2010) and see if you can save some money or buy a better card than the 5xxx series is offering right now. But all in all, that is one big budget, especially if you are expecting just a robust and not blazing fast system.

 

[posto5]

Thanks, but unfortunately I need to solve my problem now. I still have a HP Atlhon PC, and it is not handling the work anymore. What do you suggest me, considering the parts I can find in the market Today?

 

[MisterDonut]

- How demanding are the 3-D apps you run ? If they demand a lot, I would suggest two 5970's in CFX...but I may be living my dream . If you don't need two 5970's, then two 5850's in CFX would probably be enough (One is almost overkill). If you dislike ATI, the GTX 275/285 would hold up until the 300's are released.
- For the CPU, i7 920 and a good aftermarket cooler for OC (e.g. TRUE, Megahalem, Noctua NH-U12P, or something of the sort (for air cooling), or a H50 if you like a simple cpu watercooled setup, anything advanced for watercooling you'd have to ask someone else =[ ).
- For the RAM, I've seen a lot of recommendations for Mushkin/G.Skill ECO/OCZ (Amount is up to you, maybe ~12 gigs ?).
- For your motherboard, I am an ASUS fanboy (my buddy runs a P6T V2 Deluxe and he loves it), but again, I've heard great things about other brands (Gigabyte, EVGA X58, etc.) so that is entirely up to you.
- For the power supply (Run a calculator for the wattage, I can't think of an accurate number off the top of my head but I'd guess ~800), I would say a Corsair, but OCZ/Antec both make quality stuff.
- For the case, HAF 932 has great reviews as well as the Antec P183/193/etc. If you plan on CFX'ing the 5970's (Huge cards), a full tower would give you more room to work with. Also would have to consider your own aesthetics .
- If you plan on air cooling, slap two Scythe Gentle Typhoons, but with that budget, I would 100% recommend watercooling. I don't know what kind of fans you would put on the radiator though.
- The rest is up to what pleases you .

 

[posto5]

Thanks a lot! I am not planning to overclock it. Regarding the apps, mainly I use AutoCad, Photoshop and Corel Draw.

 

[MisterDonut]

If you don't plan to overclock, you'll probably bottleneck =/, so I would highly suggest it. As far as your apps are concerned, you probably won't need 5970s in cfx hahaha (I'll take 'em though ), but 5850's would work pretty well. Saves money on the PSU/casing/cards.

 

[posto5]

Thanks. Do you think Intel is better than AMD in my case?

 

[MisterDonut]

AMD is cheaper, and just as good as intel for gaming. As far as the 3-D Apps go, I think Intel will outperform, but I can't say for sure, but since you have such a wide and flexible budget, Intel is the way to go for ya.

 

[MisterDonut]

I would consider AMD comparable to the older generation quad cores and not the new i7's

 

[SolMiester]

I did a recent build, Phenom II 955 3.2Ghz BE Quad w\ 4Gb RAM, 4850ATi and 64Gb SSD...very good price.....not sure about US prices though!
AutoCAD doesnt use GPU AFAIK....so maybe get up to 12GB RAM & Win 7 x64

 

[RadiclDreamer]

Right now i have a hard time recommending AMD unless you are on a super small budget and even then I have problems (and I'm a long time AMD fanboy)

I dont think the consumer/gamer cards are in your best interest as recommended above, typically with workstation type 3d you want to go with a quadro or firegl as they are really designed with the workstation in mind.

 

[MisterDonut]

Forgot to recommend those =O. I don't remember the last time somebody I knew used a Quadro/FireGL. Haha, then again I'm more associated with gamer/consumer oriented users

 

[RadiclDreamer]

Most people forget about the quadro/firegl series unless they are heavy business 3d users.

 

[MisterDonut]

Ahh and I also forgot to say, if you can get your hands on an SSD, that would be perfect. They can get pricey if you plan on using them to store stuff though (or you could always beg samsung to let you try 24 SSD's in RAID0...They opened enough photoshops to satisfy this entire forum).

 

[OptotsshorP]

I cant even see the folders, which I keep in a folder under "My Documents" - cant even see My Documents.

I get a list of the drices C drive D drive and so on. If I click on c drive I get a folder called DOcuments and Settings, then All Users then Documents but it doesnt contain My Documents.

I guess I can transfer the files to My Pictures but thats not what I did before. Im sure I could access everything before


Oh Ive cracked it - I needed to go through Administrator

Everything seems to be working just as I remember. Thanks for all your help.

 

[MisterDonut]

I cant even see the folders, which I keep in a folder under "My Documents" - cant even see My Documents.

I get a list of the drices C drive D drive and so on. If I click on c drive I get a folder called DOcuments and Settings, then All Users then Documents but it doesnt contain My Documents.

I guess I can transfer the files to My Pictures but thats not what I did before. Im sure I could access everything before


Oh Ive cracked it - I needed to go through Administrator

Everything seems to be working just as I remember. Thanks for all your help.

I assume this is in the wrong post.