What parts are best for webdesign, 3D modeling, video rendering and animation on a budget?

[Sonikku]

Trying to build as good a rig I can on a strict budget of $700-$870. This isn't for gaming, so unless a $300 video card is essential for video rendering I'd like to skimp on it and focus my budget on other parts. My biggest question is what cpu type is best. On the one hand, AMD's cheapest dual core would be better for multi-tasking, but on the other I hear AMD Opteron's are best for rendering. (Like in Georgies case for Revenge of The Sith) http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0HNN/is_6_20/ai_n14795229

So what is the better cpu for this build? Dual core, or Opteron? What kind of PSU will I need? Antec has a case/350w psu combo for a good price, but I'm not sure if it will be enough.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811129150

As for RAM, I can imagine 2gb's of ram is better for a rig like this then 1. I'm just not sure if I can fit it in my budget. I guess I'll be going with Corsair Value ram, I'm just not sure how much of it I can get to stay withen my budget.

Here is a basic rundown I threw together just to get started.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16827152047 NEC DVD burner

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811129150 Antec Case w/350wpsu

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16822148015 80 gig HDD

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813123236 Epox Socket 939 MOBO

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814130241 EVGA 6200 Video Card

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820145440 1 gig of Corsair Ram

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819103562 Athlon 64 X2 3800+
Total: $728.13

The build assumes I go with a dual core, however I really don't know much of anything about opteron or what parts are best if I end up going in that direction.
Just what kind of video card is really necessary for a rig like this? Do I have to go with something better? And how does the X2 line fare against the Opteron line for a Video Rendering system? Advice would be appreciated.

 

[Sonikku]

bump

 

[ribbon13]

Your needs are screaming for a Dual-core Opteron 165, but it's $300 alone.

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

And get a professional card. A low level gaming card is going to make you miserable while setting up rendering scenes. My Quadro 4 900 kicks ass at rendering when compared to my 6800 GT OC, but it doesn't play games for sh!t.

 

[Sonikku]

Originally posted by: ribbon13
Your needs are screaming for a Dual-core Opteron 165, but it's $300 alone.

Hey, that's better then the $322 X2 3800+.

 

[Skott]

Kinda depends on the software you plan to use. Dual core will help to some extent but some software does and some doesnt take specific advantage of dual core. Meaning its designed for dual core in mind. For example I user Poser 6 but it doesnt take directadvantage of dual core really. You'd have to check with the software manufacturer to see if its designed to take advantage of dual core specifically.

You dont need a high end video card so you can save some money there. As mentioned the quadro card will perform best for rendering and such but sucks for hard core gaming. Matrox makes some good cards for graphic design I hear. 2Gb RAM will certainly make things go faster but RAM is an easy upgrade so you could save some money initially by getting 1Gb at first and adding a second gig later on. But 2Gb RAM will certainly be the ideal. Getting 1Gb RAM at first will allow you to put money into the most processor you can buy and a large hard drive will certainly be a boon too. You wont need RAID unless you want redundancy backup of files.

Basically get the most proc and RAM you can, select the proper card. If going for regular cards dont get anything high end. Get as much harddrive space as you can. Pretty much sums it up.

 

[xanis]

Your main focus here should be on the processor and RAM. If you can afford it, I would definately get a dual-core Opteron 165. If not, try getting an A64 X2. Wither way, for the processor, I would go with dual-core. For the RAM, get 2GB of good stuff, maybe some Crucial Ballistix or some OCZ Platinum. Also, you won't need a top-of-the-line video card for the stuff that you want to do, I suggest a 6600GT or a 6800GS.

Note: The Opteron 165 is $350, link to ZZF: http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDe...ductCode=80106-R&affiliate=pricerunner