Hi everyone, I am looking to come up with a new build primarily for 3d rendering and gaming. This will be my first build, so any advice is appreciated.
1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
Primary usage: 3d modeling and rendering on linux using blender and yafaray (cpu-only renderer), 2d image editing using GIMP.
Secondary usage: games on windows, mostly sp fps games like crysis, CoD, GTA, etc., and strategy games like total war, civ, etc.
2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
$1500-$1600
3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
USA
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.
Intel/Nvidia, more out of necessity than fanboyism
5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
keyboard, mouse, monitor
7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
Probably a mild OC, don't want to push the ivy chip too hard
8. What resolution will you be using?
1920x1200
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.
1 week max, sooner if possible
X. Do you need to purchase any software to go with the system, such as Windows or Blu Ray playback software?
Need win7
Here is a preliminary build I came up with:
CPU Intel Core i7 3770K $330
Cooler CM Hyper 212 Evo $31
MOBO ASRock Z77 Extreme4 $143
PSU SeaSonic S12II 620W $80
RAM G.SKILL Value 16GB (2x8GB) $70
GPU Gigabyte GTX 670 $400
SSD Crucial M4 256GB $210
HDD Seagate Barracuda 2TB $110
DVD Asus 24x DVD burner $20
Case Fractal Design R4 $110
OS Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit $100
Total: $1604
In addition to your advice, I have some questions:
1. I selected RAM in 2x8 modules to leave the possibility of going to 32GB for my linux apps. I know the home version of windows limits you to 16GB but I would likely not need more than that for windows apps anyway, would windows home be able to boot on a machine with 32GB and use only 16GB? Or do you suggest just going for the pro version? Anyway, I don't know when or even if I would increase the RAM.
2. I intend to have windows and linux share the SSD on different partitions, but I don't know if this is an advisable strategy. Is it ok to use separate partitions on an SSD?
3. Since this is my first build I am not too knowledgeable on setting up a system for optimal cooling, is there anything I should do to improve the default setup on the R4? For example, I am tempted to add a third fan for front intake.
Thanks in advance for your help. 🙂
1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
Primary usage: 3d modeling and rendering on linux using blender and yafaray (cpu-only renderer), 2d image editing using GIMP.
Secondary usage: games on windows, mostly sp fps games like crysis, CoD, GTA, etc., and strategy games like total war, civ, etc.
2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
$1500-$1600
3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
USA
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.
Intel/Nvidia, more out of necessity than fanboyism
5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
keyboard, mouse, monitor
7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
Probably a mild OC, don't want to push the ivy chip too hard
8. What resolution will you be using?
1920x1200
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.
1 week max, sooner if possible
X. Do you need to purchase any software to go with the system, such as Windows or Blu Ray playback software?
Need win7
Here is a preliminary build I came up with:
CPU Intel Core i7 3770K $330
Cooler CM Hyper 212 Evo $31
MOBO ASRock Z77 Extreme4 $143
PSU SeaSonic S12II 620W $80
RAM G.SKILL Value 16GB (2x8GB) $70
GPU Gigabyte GTX 670 $400
SSD Crucial M4 256GB $210
HDD Seagate Barracuda 2TB $110
DVD Asus 24x DVD burner $20
Case Fractal Design R4 $110
OS Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit $100
Total: $1604
In addition to your advice, I have some questions:
1. I selected RAM in 2x8 modules to leave the possibility of going to 32GB for my linux apps. I know the home version of windows limits you to 16GB but I would likely not need more than that for windows apps anyway, would windows home be able to boot on a machine with 32GB and use only 16GB? Or do you suggest just going for the pro version? Anyway, I don't know when or even if I would increase the RAM.
2. I intend to have windows and linux share the SSD on different partitions, but I don't know if this is an advisable strategy. Is it ok to use separate partitions on an SSD?
3. Since this is my first build I am not too knowledgeable on setting up a system for optimal cooling, is there anything I should do to improve the default setup on the R4? For example, I am tempted to add a third fan for front intake.
Thanks in advance for your help. 🙂
