- Apr 9, 2013
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Long story made short, I need a processor that can handle both 3D rendering and animation as well as play demanding games at acceptable levels of detail. My budget for the entire build is $1400-$1500 at the most, but if I can do cheaper, that's a plus. Recommendations?
The Long Story Aforementioned
My Exact Requirements:
Hardware
Programs
The Long Story Aforementioned
I've recently gotten into game design with UDK and found that a Core-i5 430M does not like 3D modeling. My Pentium E5300 with integrated graphics won't even run UDK without SwiftShader (and you can guess how fast that runs). The point is, it's time for an upgrade. Being a computer enthusiast, and seeking a computer that will make me feel all warm and happy inside for years to come, I have decided to jump right in and build one (after some serious research into how to go about it).
In terms of a processor, I have been unable to determine how much power I actually need. As the budget for this build is coming via parental generosity, I have to stay within a reasonable price range. In this case, that means a blurry line somewhere around $1400-$1500 at the high end. Within that price range, I need to buy a computer that can handle all my needs, including not just 3D modeling and lighting (which I understand benefit from multiple cores), but also actual gaming so I can play-test the levels I design (which I understand benefits primarily from clock speed). Most of the pages I have found while researching on the internet deal with just one or the other of these uses, but not both. Additionally, I have seen a lot of recommendations that a given processor is "better" than another for a given purpose, but not a lot of discussion on just how good a given processor is, or how much better than another. I don't want to be blowing $200 extra on something if the actual performance won't be noticeably better.
So what I'm really asking is this: which processors would you recommend for a gaming/3D modeling PC build, and why? I have sort of gravitated towards LGA2011, and maybe a 3930K or a 3960X, but is there really that much difference between the two? How much difference is there between either of those and the 3820? For that matter, is LGA2011 even a good idea in the first place?
And finally, are these even the right questions to be asking, or am I just revealing my ignorance?
Any help that anyone could give me on any of my numerous questions would be much appreciated. I've learned enough online to know a processor is central to the build and that it should be chosen first, so I'm basically stalled until I figure this stuff out.
In terms of a processor, I have been unable to determine how much power I actually need. As the budget for this build is coming via parental generosity, I have to stay within a reasonable price range. In this case, that means a blurry line somewhere around $1400-$1500 at the high end. Within that price range, I need to buy a computer that can handle all my needs, including not just 3D modeling and lighting (which I understand benefit from multiple cores), but also actual gaming so I can play-test the levels I design (which I understand benefits primarily from clock speed). Most of the pages I have found while researching on the internet deal with just one or the other of these uses, but not both. Additionally, I have seen a lot of recommendations that a given processor is "better" than another for a given purpose, but not a lot of discussion on just how good a given processor is, or how much better than another. I don't want to be blowing $200 extra on something if the actual performance won't be noticeably better.
So what I'm really asking is this: which processors would you recommend for a gaming/3D modeling PC build, and why? I have sort of gravitated towards LGA2011, and maybe a 3930K or a 3960X, but is there really that much difference between the two? How much difference is there between either of those and the 3820? For that matter, is LGA2011 even a good idea in the first place?
And finally, are these even the right questions to be asking, or am I just revealing my ignorance?
Any help that anyone could give me on any of my numerous questions would be much appreciated. I've learned enough online to know a processor is central to the build and that it should be chosen first, so I'm basically stalled until I figure this stuff out.
Hardware
Minimum Required
* 64-Bit OS
* 8GB DDR3
* 256GB HDD
* SM3-compatible GPU
* Multi-Core Processor
* 4 USB 2.0 Ports
* DVD Read/Write Optical Drive
Minimum Preferred
* 256GB SSD
* 16GB RAM
* Water Cooled
* Upgrade-Friendly
* Ability to Overclock
* Ability to SLI
* 64-Bit OS
* 8GB DDR3
* 256GB HDD
* SM3-compatible GPU
* Multi-Core Processor
* 4 USB 2.0 Ports
* DVD Read/Write Optical Drive
Minimum Preferred
* 256GB SSD
* 16GB RAM
* Water Cooled
* Upgrade-Friendly
* Ability to Overclock
* Ability to SLI
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