New Graphics / Video workstation build

[GavB]

Yeah, Gainward tends to be a bit more pricey than the others anyway...at least for their top-tier products...but wow...

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2137154

http://www.gainward.com/main/vgapro.php?id=454

Tuesday could be an interesting day...

 

[BoomerD]

That card does get me pretty hot and bothered I must say.

Yep...if there's such a thing as a sexy video card...that's definitely it.

 

[mfenn]

After spending 2 days reading reviews and spec sheets (thanks for all the suggestions people!), my head has almost melted.

Just before it implodes completely, I would like to submit Proposed build v2.0, for your perusal.
:whiste:

Just to re-cap, the main use for this machine will be Graphics and Video Editing using Adobe CS5.


Proposed build v2.0:

Motherboard:
Gigabyte GA-P67A-UD3 LGA1155 Intel P67 DDR3 ATX
Mfr#:GA-P67A-UD3

Processor:
Intel Core i7-2600K 3.40GHz LGA1155 8MB
Mfr#:BX80623I72600K

OS:
Windows 7 Professional 64-bit

RAM:
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9Q-16GBXL
(If I can get it - otherwise Corsair Memory XMS3 4GB x4 DDR3 1333MHz DIMM 240-Pin CL9 - Mfr#: CMX4GX3M1A1333C)

GPU:
Gainward GeForce GTX 460 700MHz 2GB GDDR5 DualDVI HDMI Golden Sample
Mfr#: 426018336-1220

Boot Drive:
OCZ Technology 120GB Vertex 2 SATA II 2.5" Solid State Drive (OCZSSD2-2VTXE120G)

General Storage:
Samsung 1TB Spinpoint F3 7200rpm SATA 3Gb/s 32MB

Video Only Storage:
Samsung 1TB Spinpoint F3 7200rpm SATA 3Gb/s 32MB

Power Supply:
XFX 650W 80+ Bronze Certified Single Rail
Mfr#: P1-650S-NLB9
------------------------------

Any suggestions, comments or criticisms welcomed...

I'd probably grab the DDR3 1333 in the first place, but the build looks good overall!

 

[Davidh373]

Hopefully you're using AE and/or RAW photos with a lot of layers, because that is the only way you'll ever get close to using even 8GB. I highly doubt you'll ever get to use 16GB.

 

[GavB]

Hopefully you're using AE and/or RAW photos with a lot of layers, because that is the only way you'll ever get close to using even 8GB. I highly doubt you'll ever get to use 16GB.

Yes, I work with raw photos a lot, and do a lot of 300dpi magazine work.
I don't use AE that much - but mainly because I never had a machine that would run it properly - hence the new build!

Thanks for the input! :thumbsup:

 

[GavB]

I'd probably grab the DDR3 1333 in the first place, but the build looks good overall!

Might just do that, thanks.

 

[GavB]

A couple more questions if you have a minute:

1. It turns out there is a place local to me that has G.Skill Ram.
What is the difference between the X series (F3-10666CL7D-8GBXH) and the (F3-10666CL9D-8GBXL) - there is a €30 price difference per 8GB.

2. Will I notice a difference between a
Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black 3.5" SATA6GB/S 7200rpm 64MB
(WD1002FAEX) and a
Samsung 1TB Spinpoint F3 7200rpm SATA 3Gb/s 32MB (HD103SJ)
The WD is €26 more.


Thanks again!

 

[mnewsham]

A couple more questions if you have a minute:

1. It turns out there is a place local to me that has G.Skill Ram.
What is the difference between the X series (F3-10666CL7D-8GBXH) and the (F3-10666CL9D-8GBXL) - there is a €30 price difference per 8GB.

2. Will I notice a difference between a
Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black 3.5" SATA6GB/S 7200rpm 64MB
(WD1002FAEX) and a
Samsung 1TB Spinpoint F3 7200rpm SATA 3Gb/s 32MB (HD103SJ)
The WD is €26 more.


Thanks again!

The RAM difference is that the first set has is CL7 while the second is CL9 you wont really notice a difference for most situations, i would go with the cheaper (cl9)

and

No the Samsung F3 is usually just as good as the WD caviar black for a good 20 bucks less.

 

[GavB]

Thanks, mnewsham - Great, that's what I was hoping

 

[mnewsham]

Thanks, mnewsham - Great, that's what I was hoping

No problem, happy to help

 

[Modelworks]

Consider adding a second monitor. The interfaces for programs are getting more and more crowded and it really helps to have more desktop space to move things around.

 

[mnewsham]

Consider adding a second monitor. The interfaces for programs are getting more and more crowded and it really helps to have more desktop space to move things around.

:thumbsup: It doesn't feel right to me any more without two or more.

 

[mfenn]

The RAM difference is that the first set has is CL7 while the second is CL9 you wont really notice a difference for most situations, i would go with the cheaper (cl9)

and

No the Samsung F3 is usually just as good as the WD caviar black for a good 20 bucks less.

:thumbsup:

 

[GavB]

Consider adding a second monitor. The interfaces for programs are getting more and more crowded and it really helps to have more desktop space to move things around.

That's definitely in the pipeline, just need to wait for the dust to settle a bit first! :awe:

 

[GavB]

Is there any reason I shouldn't use an MSI P67A-c45 motherboard? It's a good bit cheaper and it seems to cover what I need - or am I missing something?

I'm thinking i7 2600k, MSI P67A-c45, 8 GB RAM, Gtx 560ti 1Mb

 

[Davidh373]

From what I see the MSI is $10 more before rebate. The rebate only saves you $10 over the gigabyte you have picked out, and I wouldn't count on getting the rebate in a hurry.

 

[GavB]

Hmmm, where I'm from (Ireland) the MSI is about $25 cheaper.

I'm finding it pretty difficult to choose a motherboard to be honest.

Although price is not the main issue for me, I don't want to spend money on features I don't need (SLi / crossfire) but I still want a decent reliable motherboard.

I like the sound of the MSI boards because they have the OC Genie button which seems like an easy way to increase performance for a noob like me!

Do the more expensive boards have better components, I read somewhere that some cheaper ones use thinner PCB material and cheaper bits (technical term )

Should I just go out and get one of the top boards and be done with it?

 

[mnewsham]

Hmmm, where I'm from (Ireland) the MSI is about $25 cheaper.

I'm finding it pretty difficult to choose a motherboard to be honest.

Although price is not the main issue for me, I don't want to spend money on features I don't need (SLi / crossfire) but I still want a decent reliable motherboard.

I like the sound of the MSI boards because they have the OC Genie button which seems like an easy way to increase performance for a noob like me!

Do the more expensive boards have better components, I read somewhere that some cheaper ones use thinner PCB material and cheaper bits (technical term )

Should I just go out and get one of the top boards and be done with it?

If you only want basic features a cheaper MB isn't bad, more expensive is usually beret for oc but pretty much every MB has an OC tool and they can get you to 4.4ghz easily. You don't need an expensive motherboard for OC only if you need sli or some other feature

 

[GavB]

If you only want basic features a cheaper MB isn't bad, more expensive is usually beret for oc but pretty much every MB has an OC tool and they can get you to 4.4ghz easily. You don't need an expensive motherboard for OC only if you need sli or some other feature

Thanks, you've put my mind at rest. I'll save myself the few quid so! :awe:

 

[mnewsham]

Thanks, you've put my mind at rest. I'll save myself the few quid so! :awe:

No problem, sorry about spelling! Im on my phone and it loves to auto-correct, glad I could help.

 

[Davidh373]

oh crap, sorry... you're in europe... the MSI and Gigabyte aren't all that different. Go with what's less expensive

 

[mfenn]

oh crap, sorry... you're in europe... the MSI and Gigabyte aren't all that different. Go with what's less expensive

:thumbsup: