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Help me make a workstation beast.

Tags:
  • Lenovo
  • Workstations
  • Laptops
  • Games
  • Systems
  • Customization
Last response: in Systems
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January 9, 2014 11:15:15 PM

So let my explain my situation as I have read the amazing build replies for people.

I am returning my $1,200 lenovo laptop as I have noticed when Im at school or on the go I do light tasks but at home I play heavy 3D games and work on my programming ect.

So my plan is to return my laptop (Its defective anyway) and get a cheap $200 laptop for coffee shop work, And have a beast for home that I can upgrade when I need.

So I have been looking at lenovos E model workstation for entry level software creators and dells workstation as well they start at $799ish so I was wondering if building my own could get me more for less.

I will be honest I like my steam games and would love to play titan fall without getting an xbox one.
(so if I could get a graphics card to swap-out even would be cool {if that's even possible}) I would be doing beginner grunt work like java, flash games, and other application, game creation. But again would it be possible to play games on a workstations?

So Im looking for any advice would the pre-built workstation work or could you guys think of a custom machine that suites me better.

Quick requirements: Something to play the occasional game on, A pc for content creation, easily up-gradable, Price range MAX needs to be $1,000-$1,200.

Again you guys rock for even reading this post! Thanks for any advice!


More about : make workstation beast

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January 10, 2014 12:48:49 AM

How about this build?

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1230 V3 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($252.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H87N-WIFI Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($111.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Sandisk Ultra Plus 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($164.62 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($106.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($263.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 130 Mini ITX Tower Case ($49.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: Rosewill Capstone 450W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1080.50
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-01-10 03:48 EST-0500)
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January 11, 2014 3:16:40 AM

Ok guys so I have been asking around and looking at others builds what do you think would be better of a cpu for gaming and programming and game creation.

amds top model FX-8320 or FX-9590 or intel i5 i5-4670K (maybe a mid or higher mid end i7)

here are my main struggles understanding:
high end Fx need a select few motherboards?
If I go with the i5 could I later reuse good parts and just swap the i5 to an i7 when I have more money to spend?
I hear amd is better for rendering (video and compiling software) due to it having 8 cores, but then some say intels 4 cores are better so Intel is better for it.

Again thanks a ton for all the help guys!
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January 11, 2014 4:49:16 AM

Xeon 1230V3. It is i7 and price is more like i5 fast cpu and cool. Because it do not have iGPU it will run cooler and take s less wattage than i5 Still it do have HT + 8 Treads. You really do not need iGPU.

http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Xeon+E3-1...

If you find 4770K cheap price then that is good buy. 8320 is not good if you look price / performance chart.
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January 11, 2014 5:25:23 AM

mm ill look into one this is the build I was playing with (disclaimer im new to building pcs)(I also trust your build over mine so far)

Intel Core i7-4770 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor $294.99 NCIX US
Motherboard

Asus MAXIMUS VI FORMULA ATX LGA1150 Motherboard $298.99
Memory

Crucial Ballistix Sport 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory $41.87
Storage

Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk $114.99
Video Card

MSI GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card $259.99 -$10.00 $249.99
Case

Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case $109.99
Power Supply

Corsair CX 500W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply $59.99

Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer
Operating System

Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit - OEM (64-bit) $99.98
Total: $1275.75
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January 11, 2014 5:38:15 AM

What Im trying to sort out is what I feel I need.
A fast CPU that can render well and support heavy amount of apps open.
SSD 128gb sounds like a ton.
HDD 500-1T
usb 3.0 at least 3
good-great GPU
RAM 4 as a min is fine but I WILL upgrade asap to at least 16 max (maybe 32)
HDMI at least one if not 2 or 3

What I would enjoy but not needed now
sound card.
card reader (SD ect)
gigabyte Ethernet.
16 gb or ram.
cool looking case.

Hope maybe this helps again I trust others builds over my own I know how to work software a lot better than hardware.

Any and all advice is appreciated


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January 11, 2014 5:45:15 AM

This is better with near same price. Psu is bit small but works with this build.

Id you want bigger psu then Id must suggest this. http://pcpartpicker.com/part/rosewill-power-supply-ligh...

[PCPartPicker part list](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2zrEm) / [Price breakdown by merchant](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2zrEm/by_merchant/) / [Benchmarks](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2zrEm/benchmarks/)

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [Intel Xeon E3-1230 V3 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80646e31230v3) | $243.08 @ SuperBiiz
**CPU Cooler** | [Thermalright Macho-120 73.6 CFM CPU Cooler](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/thermalright-cpu-cooler-ma...) | $45.99 @ SuperBiiz
**Motherboard** | [Gigabyte GA-B85-HD3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-motherboard-gab85...) | $88.99 @ Mwave
**Memory** | [G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gskill-memory-f312800cl9d8...) | $81.50 @ NCIX US
**Storage** | [Sandisk Ultra Plus 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/sandisk-internal-hard-driv...) | $164.62 @ Amazon
**Storage** | [Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/seagate-internal-hard-driv...) | $106.99 @ NCIX US
**Video Card** | [MSI GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/msi-video-card-n770tf2gd5o...) | $334.98 @ SuperBiiz
**Case** | [BitFenix Ghost (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/bitfenix-case-bfcgho300kkn...) | $69.99 @ NCIX US
**Power Supply** | [Rosewill Capstone 450W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/rosewill-power-supply-caps...) | $49.99 @ Newegg
**Optical Drive** | [Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-optical-drive-drw24b1...) | $16.99 @ Newegg
**Operating System** | [Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit - OEM (64-bit)](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/microsoft-os-885370635690) | $99.98 @ OutletPC
| | **Total**
| Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available. | $1303.10
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-01-11 08:41 EST-0500 |
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January 11, 2014 6:02:20 AM

If you sedle with 128GB SSD and with 1TB HDD then with 4770k + Z87 mobo it looks like this.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($319.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Macho-120 73.6 CFM CPU Cooler ($45.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87X-D3H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($143.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($81.50 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Sandisk Ultra Plus 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($92.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($329.99 @ Newegg)
Case: BitFenix Ghost (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Rosewill Lightning 800W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit - OEM (64-bit) ($99.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1371.37
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-01-11 09:00 EST-0500)
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