Need help on buiding a computer for Gaming and Illustration

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lopes0811

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Feb 21, 2015
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Hello,

I'm in need of help towards buying a desktop for gaming and illustration. I have very little knowledge on computers and would appreciate any form of insight possible. I wish to build a computer and my budget could go up to CAD$1,200.00, but I would consider going above if necessary.

The program I'd be using to work on illustration is mostly Photoshop CS6, however I plan on learning to use programs such as painter and also Maya and 3DS MAX for 3D modelling.

The games I'd be running wouldn't be anything fancy (I believe) such as League of Legends, however I might want to run games that may require more than the minimal requirement for League, so I'd also be looking for a computer that may be upgraded in the future.

I really have very limited knowledge on computers and only recently started using them, so I'd appreciate any form of explanation to certain components that a beginner would definitely need, or a link to videos or script on how I can learn and understand better the use of computers and their parts. Something I'd like to know is if computers still make noise and how to minimize it, since I'd be running it in my studio.

Essentially I'm asking if it is possible for someone to help me build a computer that would fit my needs and I do appreciate any form of help available.

Thank you for your time,
Luke
 
Solution
nikoli707
windows and your programs will go on the ssd. windows 8.1 will boot to desktop in about 6-8 seconds, sometimes faster if you enable ultra fast boot in the mobo bios. programs will open near instantly. you can install games on the ssd if you want and get faster loading screens. use the mechanical 1tb drive for storage or other games/programs that will not fit on the ssd or are not used often.

the xeon processors are just like i7 processors as they are four cores eight threads and for your illustrator/cs6/maya etc. it will make a noticalbe performance difference over an i5.

any computer monitor will work. though for you, you would likely want an IPS monitor for better color accuracy and saturation if your going to be working with...
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nikoli707

nikoli707

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Jan 4, 2012
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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1246 V3 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($327.34 @ TigerDirect Canada)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 PRO4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($92.99 @ NCIX)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($146.63 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Crucial MX100 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($84.99 @ Memory Express)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($62.98 @ DirectCanada)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 280 3GB TWIN FROZR Video Card ($229.64 @ TigerDirect Canada)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Memory Express)
Power Supply: XFX TS 650W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($69.98 @ NCIX)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($18.99 @ NCIX)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit) ($108.34 @ TigerDirect Canada)
Total: $1201.87
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-21 23:12 EST-0500
 
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lopes0811

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Feb 21, 2015
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4,510


I'd like to thank you for the quick response, I really do appreciate a whole build done quickly.

I do have one question though, as I do not understand much of computers. What are the two storage units for? I understand storage and looked up what an ssd was, but I would like to know the reasoning you listed both. I thought it might have one of them for massive storage and the other due to speed, but I am not completely sure.

Thank you again, especially since you answered quite quickly.

I appreciate the help,
Luke
 
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An AFK User

Reputable
Nov 13, 2014
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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1241 V3 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($337.11 @ Amazon Canada)
Motherboard: MSI Z97 PC MATE ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($118.50 @ Vuugo)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($148.98 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Sandisk Ultra Plus 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($59.99 @ Canada Computers)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($58.98 @ DirectCanada)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 285 2GB WINDFORCE 2X Video Card ($229.99 @ NCIX)
Case: BitFenix Comrade ATX Mid Tower Case ($42.99 @ NCIX)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($74.98 @ NCIX)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($18.99 @ NCIX)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit) ($108.34 @ TigerDirect Canada)
Total: $1198.85
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-21 23:42 EST-0500
 
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An AFK User

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Hard drives can be used to store data. SSDs are faster so commonly people put their programs and operating system installed so they can start their computer/programs faster.
 
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lopes0811

Reputable
Feb 21, 2015
4
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4,510


Great! So basically I'd have Photoshop on the ssd and my saved files on the hard drive, as I understand it.

I do have one more question as this is my first time purchasing a computer. I'd like to know about monitors. Are there such things as compatibility issues between the computer and the monitor and are there monitors better suited than others for Gaming, Illustration and Design? If so, where should I look at for a good monitor?

I apologize in advanced for my little knowledge on computers and monitors and I apologize if I shouldn't be asking about monitors on this thread, since I didn't post it in the title.

Thank you for your reply as well, I really appreciate all the help,
Luke
 
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nikoli707

nikoli707

Splendid
Jan 4, 2012
6,008
5
29,965
windows and your programs will go on the ssd. windows 8.1 will boot to desktop in about 6-8 seconds, sometimes faster if you enable ultra fast boot in the mobo bios. programs will open near instantly. you can install games on the ssd if you want and get faster loading screens. use the mechanical 1tb drive for storage or other games/programs that will not fit on the ssd or are not used often.

the xeon processors are just like i7 processors as they are four cores eight threads and for your illustrator/cs6/maya etc. it will make a noticalbe performance difference over an i5.

any computer monitor will work. though for you, you would likely want an IPS monitor for better color accuracy and saturation if your going to be working with photoshop. TN based panels are generally better for gaming because of pixel response time and input lag, but the new crop of IPS monitors are quickly closing the gap. i personally game on a 2560x1440 resolution IPS panel and have very limited issues with ghosting, input lag, or response time; ie it doesn't bother me.

as far as cs6/maya etc. the xeon processors are going to give you professional level performance, or at least very close to it. the r9-280(or r9-285) will give you great 1080p performance in any game made today.
 
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Solution
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lopes0811

Reputable
Feb 21, 2015
4
0
4,510


Great thanks! I really appreciate all the input. I am much more confident in building the computer now and I have you and An AFK User to thank for.

I will be most likely be building this computer within the month and I am very glad with all the answers in this thread.

Much appreciation,
Luke
 
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