Need help verifying these specs (new build)

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J

joetaxi

Honorable
Jan 31, 2014
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10,510
Hi All,
I'm an architecture student and currently need a good pc for my design projects.
I would be running cad software, photoshop (editing also raw photographs), and 3D programmes such as sketchup, lumion, 3dsmax, blender... (not sure which one I will use)

So, after doing some research, I am considering settling on the following specs for my new PC. ((Note; I had started with a budget of £700 but when studying which specs I needed for my use... I had to increase it slightly))

Specs:

CPU :
AMD FX 8350 Eight Core CPU (turbo 4.2Ghz)

Motherboard :
Asus M5A78L-M USB3

Hard Drive :
120gb Solid State Drive OR 1T HDD

Memory : 16gb DDR3 1600mhz Corsair Vengeance Memory

Graphics Card : Latest Radeon R9 290 (4GB)

GDDR5 (supports up to 3 display monitors without DisplayPort)

Optical Drive : 24x Dual Layer DVD Writer

Software : Windows 7 Home 64 bit

Power Supply : Aerocool VP Pro 850 Watt Branded PSU


Any suggestions & recommendations are appreciated!

Thanks!
 
Solution
aevm
The i7-4770k wipes the floor with the FX-8350. No offense to AMD fans, I love AMD, but I have an i7-4770k myself and I spent a lot of effort researching before I bought it.
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/product/697?vs=836

If your software can use GPU acceleration, the FX-8350 + a fantastic GPU like the R9 290 will be a winning combination. If not, it will sort of suck, and you'd be much better off with an i7-4770k and a more modest GPU.

Maybe you can have the best of both worlds, i.e. both the i7-4770k and the R9 290? It would cost a few hundred bucks more but you're covered in both scenarios that way.

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1

1bignerd99

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Nov 13, 2013
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That psu is not really of the highest quality. I would get an 80+ psu from a better company (corsair, xfx)
If you have the budget, you could really benefit from a quadro or firegl card.
A good case would be the Define R4 or NZXT H440.
The M5A99FX is also an updated mobo from that.
 
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Computer__GUY

Computer__GUY

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Dec 15, 2013
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11,160
The PSU is overkill. 600 Watts should be fine to run this build also go for a more known brand like SeaSonic or XFX. I have heard bad stories about Aerocool in the past. Are you going to be doing any gaming because an R9 290 seems a bit high end for editing. I understand that you want to make use of it's 4Gb's but you could possibly save a bit of money in this area. Everything else seems good although Intel i5's are faster and perform better then 8350's. They are a similar price too.
 
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Ronaldspiers

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Sep 25, 2013
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10,860
Definitely take the advice these folks are giving and get a better quality PSU. You can save cash for your build and get cheaper components in other areas. But you really dont want to skimp on a quality PSU. XFX, seasonic and corsair are the best brands to stick with in general.
 
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J

joetaxi

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Jan 31, 2014
9
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10,510


Thanks for your advice 1bignerd99. I will definitely consider another PSU then. And those are some beautiful cases you mentioned!
 
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J

joetaxi

Honorable
Jan 31, 2014
9
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10,510


Initially I was going for an i7 but when comparing prices I had to go for an AMD in order to be able to get a better GPU (read somewhere that for instance lumion is more comfortable with a good GPU rather than the cpu as it is ''rendering constantly'' ) Unfortunately I'm new to mid-high-end builds and do not really know exactly the differences between different cpu's and amount of cores... eg. which is best for my needs, 8core AMD or 4core Intel? I won't be doing gaming on this build, used only for building 3D models and rendering visual images.
 
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J

joetaxi

Honorable
Jan 31, 2014
9
0
10,510


I won't be doing gaming on this build, will be using it only for building 3D models and rendering visual images. I was considering 2Gb graphics card defore opting for the 4Gb one, but when spending this amount of money I don't want to risk having a slow pc which renders one image per hour before my exams :s However would still like to ask, will 2gb graphics card be enough to have a smooth and fast experience building/rotating and rendering visuals? I will reconsider re. Aerocool as well.. Thanks for your advice!

 
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aevm

aevm

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May 18, 2007
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The i7-4770k wipes the floor with the FX-8350. No offense to AMD fans, I love AMD, but I have an i7-4770k myself and I spent a lot of effort researching before I bought it.
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/product/697?vs=836

If your software can use GPU acceleration, the FX-8350 + a fantastic GPU like the R9 290 will be a winning combination. If not, it will sort of suck, and you'd be much better off with an i7-4770k and a more modest GPU.

Maybe you can have the best of both worlds, i.e. both the i7-4770k and the R9 290? It would cost a few hundred bucks more but you're covered in both scenarios that way.

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
J

joetaxi

Honorable
Jan 31, 2014
9
0
10,510


Thanks for your reply Ronaldspiers! I had focused my limited budget on cpu and gpu at first leaving the psu for last :/ Thanks for your advice!
 
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J

joetaxi

Honorable
Jan 31, 2014
9
0
10,510


Thanks for the insight aevm... since i'm not sure which 3D programme to use yet (cannot limit my choice at this stage due to various advantages of each software) I would be safer with the 'best of both worlds' scenario you suggested! will definitely consider this option and recalculate costs. Thanks also for the suggestion re the PSU aevm!
 
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J

joetaxi

Honorable
Jan 31, 2014
9
0
10,510


Apologies for the newbie question aevm, but will I still be able to ask for advice on this thread after I have chosen a solution? Thanks.
 
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