Graphics Card for "School" Computer (budget updated)

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Homework_grind

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Aug 13, 2014
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4,510
I called my planned new build a "school" computer to convince my parents to let me spend my money which I earned working a real job. I will, however, actually use the new computer for school. I need to build the computer by the end of the month to do so.

Uses for the computer:
-math programs (Maple), code compiling, chess, backgammon engines (GPU irrelevant)
-light gaming (medium graphics on modern titles is enough)
-possibly CAD in the future (probably not enough to need a workstation card)
-not embarrassing myself when showing my "computer enthusiast" friends when they see my build (very important)

Current parts for computer: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/2fF4ZL

Notice lack of graphics card, also note monitor resolution. Prices are Canadian, and my preferred retailer is Memory Express (no shipping cost, can physically go to store, great customer service). (Purchased) items are things I own and plan to use in the build, which I would not like to replace without very good reason. Feel free to suggest alternatives for other parts, though I am mostly looking to pick a GPU.

[strike]Budget is unknown, since much research has only confused me more about this whole graphics business, so I am unable to decide on a budget because I have no clue how much money stuff is worth.[/strike] Please suggest a few options at different prices with the reasons for each pick to help me decide.

Budget for the card is a very flexible $400-450. I can always find other ways to spend any savings, and I can work some more hours to make more money if I need to.

The "not embarrassing myself" part mostly refers to the difficulty I'd have explaining pairing a latest-gen CPU with a wimpy graphics card, difficulty I'd rather avoid.

Thank you for reading through this text, and thank you in advance for helping me choose.
 
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BigBadBeef

BigBadBeef

Admirable
May 30, 2014
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Try mine. 1300$ canadian, full build- graphics card included, add your amenities and this is what you get:

- Math problems handled like an axe murderer
- Heavy gaming at the price of your light gaming (all max, all ultra)
- CAD... crunch crunch munch munch
- sleeper design they'll say "oh... doesn't look like much..." but when you open it up "WHOOOOOA!"
- Made to run day and night under full load, so if you'll be doing some major crunch time on your pc, just leave it be and go to sleep then come back and get your results in the morning while your pc barely breaks a sweat.

But what are you gonna do with a 27" monitor? Get lost in it? Just buy 21" 1080p, you loose nothing!
 
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smorizio

smorizio

Titan
Jan 22, 2010
30,984
9
125,315
few things on your build. return your ram or exchange it. with intel mb want use two dimms not four on there mb at at 1600 or faster speed at 1.5v. right now haswell-e dropping in a few weeks and it looks like nvidia may be dropping there newer gpu. as your not trying to make a gaming pc but one for cad and other programs that are cpu hard. the newer haswell-e use the newer ddr-4 ram. for entry gpu 270x or the 280x if there on sale or the 760 gpu. look online see if the cad program runs better with cuda core card.
 
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Homework_grind

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Aug 13, 2014
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The 27" monitor is for displaying up to 4 formula sheets at once as I try to finish my math homework due in 2 hours.

I'm all for the "sleeper" design, but I decided against it (and for the HAF X) for two reasons:
-I sleep in the same room as I keep my computer, which I sometimes leave crunching overnight, so the big fans will (hopefully) reduce the noise
-The HAF X comes with wheels, which reduce dust collection by raising the case off the ground (I am uncomfortable with ~20kg of steel on a desk)

The 280X does look like a solid option, I will consider it. Thank you.
 
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Homework_grind

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Aug 13, 2014
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I cannot return the RAM as I bought them second hand (off a trusted individual physically in real life and tested with Memtest86 on a boot cd etc etc), they have not given me any trouble in the two years I've used them, and it'll be sad for 16GB of perfectly fine RAM to be sitting around doing nothing. That said, if you could justify the suggestion to upgrade to 1600MHz and using 2 sticks rather than 4, I will consider it.

The cards you suggest look like solid enough options, thank you. I will research the CAD program.

I probably don't have time to wait for DDR4 and the new gen processors since I need the build by September.
 
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Homework_grind

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Aug 13, 2014
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With my current (outdated) build, I use bundled ASUS software that came with the motherboard to reduce fan speed (and underclock CPU) when necessary, and so far it has worked. Would a fan controller work noticeably better?
 
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