- Jul 3, 2015
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I'm a Grad student studying architecture and I feel it's about time for a new computer. (I purchased my existing laptop five years ago as a freshman, and it's starting to show its age) Looking around at my options and talking with friends and family, It's been suggested that I build my own. As a complete novice, I'd like some advice on parts.
Approximate Purchase Date: July-August
Budget Range: ~$800 - $1000 for the PC, ~$250 - $350 for a touchscreen monitor
System Usage from Most to Least Important: BIN (Building Information Modeling), 3D Modeling, Rendering, Photo Editing, Watching Movies, Misc. Office Stuff, and the Odd Game Here and There (I'm not what you might call an avid gamer, most of the games I have are old like the Monkey Island series)
Are you buying a monitor: Possibly, If I do I'm considering a touchscreen monitor.
Parts to Upgrade: Built from scratch
Do you need to buy OS: Yes, Windows
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: I've heard Newegg is good, but don't have enough experience in this regard.
Location: Tempe, AZ
Parts Preferences: Not really, just as long as it works reliably
Overclocking: Probably Not (let me just build the thing before I start tinkering!)
SLI or Crossfire: No, to my knowledge, the programs I'll be using rely more on CPU power than the GPU, so SLI or Crossfire wouldn't really help
Your Monitor Resolution: If I get a monitor, I'd like it to have a resolution of 1920x1080 or greater, ideally with touch, and a nice design that compliments my case selection.
Additional Comments: Looking at the programs I use (Revit, 3dsMax, Photoshop) I believe more CPU power will be important over a massive GPU. I'll need a descent GPU, but I'd rather spend my money on the CPU.
As a designer, not only do I want something that runs well, I'd like something that looks great also. I've been looking at the http://www.inwin-style.com/en/goods.php?act=view&id=901 ] 901 case [/url] by In Win and really like the design. It is a tad expensive so cheaper options would be appreciated, but I'm willing to pay for good design.
It would also be nice if it was quiet. I'm a little apprehensive about water cooling (I don't want to spend $1000) on parts and then spill all over them!) but I haven't ruled out the possibility.
Here are the parts I've looked at so far:
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/t4tnBm ] PCPartPicker part list [/url]
CPU: Intel Core i5-4590 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($201.98 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Masscool 8W2002F1M4 51.2 CFM CPU Cooler ($12.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97N-WIFI Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($121.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Toshiba Product Series: DT01ACA 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Inwin 901 Mini ITX Tower Case ($166.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA GS 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG BT30N Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($84.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 OEM (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: Masscool 9025B1M3/4 45.4 CFM 90mm Fan ($8.98 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: Aerocool Shark 82.6 CFM 120mm Fan ($15.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Dell S2240T 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($290.58 @ Newegg)
http://www.amazon.com/Slimline-Sata-Adapter-Power/dp/B002O1W6ZK/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1435869331&sr=1-3&keywords=slimline+sata+to+sata ] Other: Slimline Sata to Sata Adapter with Power ($7.99) [/url]
Total: $1367.39
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-07-03 13:45 EDT-0400
Why Are You Upgrading: My current PC is a 5-year old Laptop. It's got the job done, but I'm looking to upgrade for something faster that can keep up with large models.
If you have any tips, suggestions of reducing cost, recommended parts, conflicts to be aware of, etc. please let me know. Thanks!
Approximate Purchase Date: July-August
Budget Range: ~$800 - $1000 for the PC, ~$250 - $350 for a touchscreen monitor
System Usage from Most to Least Important: BIN (Building Information Modeling), 3D Modeling, Rendering, Photo Editing, Watching Movies, Misc. Office Stuff, and the Odd Game Here and There (I'm not what you might call an avid gamer, most of the games I have are old like the Monkey Island series)
Are you buying a monitor: Possibly, If I do I'm considering a touchscreen monitor.
Parts to Upgrade: Built from scratch
Do you need to buy OS: Yes, Windows
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: I've heard Newegg is good, but don't have enough experience in this regard.
Location: Tempe, AZ
Parts Preferences: Not really, just as long as it works reliably
Overclocking: Probably Not (let me just build the thing before I start tinkering!)
SLI or Crossfire: No, to my knowledge, the programs I'll be using rely more on CPU power than the GPU, so SLI or Crossfire wouldn't really help
Your Monitor Resolution: If I get a monitor, I'd like it to have a resolution of 1920x1080 or greater, ideally with touch, and a nice design that compliments my case selection.
Additional Comments: Looking at the programs I use (Revit, 3dsMax, Photoshop) I believe more CPU power will be important over a massive GPU. I'll need a descent GPU, but I'd rather spend my money on the CPU.
As a designer, not only do I want something that runs well, I'd like something that looks great also. I've been looking at the http://www.inwin-style.com/en/goods.php?act=view&id=901 ] 901 case [/url] by In Win and really like the design. It is a tad expensive so cheaper options would be appreciated, but I'm willing to pay for good design.
It would also be nice if it was quiet. I'm a little apprehensive about water cooling (I don't want to spend $1000) on parts and then spill all over them!) but I haven't ruled out the possibility.
Here are the parts I've looked at so far:
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/t4tnBm ] PCPartPicker part list [/url]
CPU: Intel Core i5-4590 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($201.98 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Masscool 8W2002F1M4 51.2 CFM CPU Cooler ($12.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97N-WIFI Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($121.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Toshiba Product Series: DT01ACA 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Inwin 901 Mini ITX Tower Case ($166.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA GS 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG BT30N Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($84.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 OEM (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: Masscool 9025B1M3/4 45.4 CFM 90mm Fan ($8.98 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: Aerocool Shark 82.6 CFM 120mm Fan ($15.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Dell S2240T 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($290.58 @ Newegg)
http://www.amazon.com/Slimline-Sata-Adapter-Power/dp/B002O1W6ZK/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1435869331&sr=1-3&keywords=slimline+sata+to+sata ] Other: Slimline Sata to Sata Adapter with Power ($7.99) [/url]
Total: $1367.39
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-07-03 13:45 EDT-0400
Why Are You Upgrading: My current PC is a 5-year old Laptop. It's got the job done, but I'm looking to upgrade for something faster that can keep up with large models.
If you have any tips, suggestions of reducing cost, recommended parts, conflicts to be aware of, etc. please let me know. Thanks!
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