$1500 - $2000 Motion Graphics Build (After Effects, Illustrator, Photoshop, Flash, Premiere Pro)

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G

goodidae

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Mar 17, 2014
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Hi everyone,

I'm a total noob here so gonna enlist your help here. =) I've read some posts here and I'm still confused. I deal with mostly 2D animation and the program that I use the most is really After Effects. I'm not a professional, just a hobbyist.

Budget: $1500 - $2000

Components (that I think I need)

CPU: i7-4770
(I'm not a gamer, so is overclocking really necessary? Do I have to consider i7-4770k or i7-4930k?)
CPU Cooler: ?
Motherboard:?
Storage: 256GB SSD
Storage: 1TB HDD
Memory: 16GB - 32GB
Video Card: GTX 690
(or do I have to go all the way to GTX 780?)
Case: ?
Power Supply: ?
Optical Drive: DVD/CD Writer
( I don't need blueray I guess)
Operating System: MS Windows 8.1 Pro
(I may connect my Surface Pro to my desktop to do some Wacom drawing via remote desktop, hence MS Win 8.1 Pro)

Thanks a lot for reading this! Really need help for you guys. Thanks!

Regards,
 
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I

IDontUnderstand

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Dec 29, 2012
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Here is a suggestion, I will explain individual components if you want.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1230 V3 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($244.68 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H87-D3H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($101.39 @ Mwave)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($139.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($100.00 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card ($489.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Corsair Carbide Series 300R Windowed ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro (OEM) (64-bit) ($129.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1471.97
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-17 23:53 EDT-0400)
 
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JP7PlaysMC

JP7PlaysMC

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Jan 27, 2014
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The PSU is indeed enough, but I would prefer something like a 750-850w for the added possibility of SLI in future...... but as the OP wants a computer directed to Video Editing, I would suggest a GTX 780ti and an I7 4770K for the overclockability. The motherboard I would prefer it to be an Asus Maximus IV, so those are my suggestions :)
 
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FractalDesignCore

FractalDesignCore

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Jul 30, 2013
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Heres a shot at a almost maxxed budget. Tell me what you think. A i7 4770k coupled with a 780ti is unbeatable.
EDIT: You stated 16-32 gb ram so i threw it in.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($299.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: MSI Z87-GD65 Gaming ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($174.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Gaming Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($150.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($139.99 @ Best Buy)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($57.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 780 Ti 3GB Video Card ($719.99 @ TigerDirect)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($124.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($99.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1913.88
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-19 21:13 EDT-0400)
 
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JP7PlaysMC

JP7PlaysMC

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Jan 27, 2014
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That build I like!
 
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I

IDontUnderstand

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Dec 29, 2012
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This build will save you money if you don't plan on overclocking.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1230 V3 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($244.68 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus H87M-PRO Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($105.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($139.99 @ Best Buy)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($84.81 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card ($489.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Corsair Carbide Series 300R Windowed ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ Micro Center)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit) ($97.26 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1417.24
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-19 20:38 EDT-0400)
 
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FractalDesignCore

FractalDesignCore

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Jul 30, 2013
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If hes doing intensive programs like editing and rendering animation an overclock is gonna help. This is good for $1400 but not good with Xeon not a fan of them. Id rather run i5-4670k and overclock the i5 Cause it will blow pasts the Xeon.
 
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ToiletNinjaa

ToiletNinjaa

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Sep 12, 2013
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Fun fact: Xeon has the i7's hyper threading for the price of an i5. i5's do not have hyper threading, so a Xeon would work better in an editing/animation rendering environment.
 
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G

goodidae

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Mar 17, 2014
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I'm a little confused now cos one guy is suggesting Xeon E3-1230 V3 and another is suggesting i7-4770k.

The reason why I'[m not into overclocking is because I read somewhere that overclocking makes the system more unstable. Since I'm working on animation, stability is important so I prefer non-K versions of CPU.

As for Xeons, I'm fine with it but I have the impression that Xeons only work with Quadros? If I get a Xeon, can I really pair it up with GTX cards? Can someone enlighten me on this? I'm looking into Xeon + Gtx since Quadro cards are quite pricey.

Since I specialize in mostly 2D motion graphics using After effects, will I really fully utilize a gtx 780 card? Should I look into i7-4771 + gtx 770 combination?
 
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JP7PlaysMC

JP7PlaysMC

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Jan 27, 2014
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That combination would be more then enough for you. Sometimes when you say you have a large budget, people just throw in randow pricey (they're good quality so don't get me wrong) items without caring to much about price/performance and if it will satisfy the OP needs. You'll get through with a more cheap build and still be able to do everything you want. Hope I helped! :)

Edit: Make sure to get a good motherboard since it will matter the most, as long with your CPU, to what you intend doing.
 
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G

goodidae

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Mar 17, 2014
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Is this build ok? I'm just picking parts from PC partpicker that seem popular...LOL

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4771 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($299.00 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($30.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-Pro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($167.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($154.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($139.99 @ Best Buy)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($88.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($334.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($90.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit) ($137.97 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1565.84
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-27 05:18 EDT-0400)

All I know is I don't want to overclock, I want a good SSD and HDD and a lot of RAM. I have no idea how to pick a motherboard, PSU or graphic card (low, mid or top tier). I picked a GTX 770 2 gb because I don't game and only do 3d stuff occasionally, GTX 780 seems like an overkill. I use 1 monitor but may invest a second monitor (a Wacom Cintiq for drawing in the future). Is GTX 780 useful for my uses in the future? If so, I don't mind spending more to make my setup more future-proof.

By the way, thanks a lot guys for your suggestions!
 
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I

IDontUnderstand

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Dec 29, 2012
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Go with Xeon, it's better for the price.
Other changes are for cheaper or better quality.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1230 V3 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($244.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($30.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus H87M-PRO Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($105.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($134.63 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($139.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.55 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($329.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1311.61
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-27 14:36 EDT-0400)
 
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JP7PlaysMC

JP7PlaysMC

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Jan 27, 2014
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Your build is awesome! Go for it ;) I prefer the I7 to the Xeon. The GTX 780 is only useful if you're going to use THAT intensive software... pick the GTX 770's 4GB version. For intensive things (not gaming obviously, but with AutoCAD and stuff) a little more of VRAM will give you a good boost :).
 
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