Please help with advice on building a computer/workstation. < 1700 USD

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kurthalamue

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Nov 30, 2015
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I am looking to build a computer so that I can maximize its abilities without having to pay what it costs for one from a manufacturer. I don't really know how to start and do not have much time to research as fully as I feel I should. I work as an Architect using CAD, Revit, Rhino, Vray, 3ds Max, Adobe suite and other similar programs so 3d modeling, rendering, and processing are important. I also want to be able to use the computer as my personal computer. This would include gaming (Fallout series, Skyrim, AOE, ect), music (Fl Studio, M-Audio equipment), internet, streaming movies. Basically I want a machine that excels everywhere and I can throw anything at (if that is even possible). My budget is 1,700 usd, but I am really looking for a deal so if something greatly reduces cost without dramatically impacting performance I would make that switch. The attached link is over budget and I am not sure if it really is what I am looking for. Thank you for any help or tips that you can provide. If you need more information just let me know.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/JXWCHx

CPU: Intel Core i7-5930K 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($459.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($119.00)
Motherboard: Asus X99-DELUXE ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard ($399.99)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($211.98 @ Directron)
Storage: Western Digital BLACK SERIES 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($113.40 @ Amazon)
Video Card: PNY Quadro K2200 4GB Video Card ($425.82 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair 750D ATX Full Tower Case ($114.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: EVGA 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($116.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM (64-bit) ($84.98 @ OutletPC)
Sound Card: Asus Xonar DSX 24-bit 192 KHz Sound Card ($42.70 @ SuperBiiz)
Wired Network Adapter: Intel EXPI9301CTBLK 10/100/1000 Mbps PCI-Express x1 Network Adapter ($23.80 @ SuperBiiz)
Monitor: LG 25UM56-P 60Hz 25.0" Monitor ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Microsoft 2VJ-00001 Wireless Standard Keyboard ($16.99 @ Directron)
Mouse: Kensington K72356US Wired Optical Mouse ($5.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $2301.56
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-30 17:57 EST-0500

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/JXWCHx
 
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DonkeyOatie

DonkeyOatie

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Sep 16, 2014
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Here's some progress.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-5930K 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($459.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-C14S 82.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($79.75 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock X99 Extreme4 ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard ($169.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($159.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung SM951 256GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($179.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital BLACK SERIES 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($113.40 @ Amazon)
Video Card: PNY Quadro K2200 4GB Video Card ($425.82 @ Amazon)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX XTR 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($91.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM (64-bit) ($84.98 @ OutletPC)
Wired Network Adapter: Intel EXPI9301CTBLK 10/100/1000 Mbps PCI-Express x1 Network Adapter ($23.80 @ SuperBiiz)
Monitor: LG 25UM56-P 60Hz 25.0" Monitor ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Microsoft 2VJ-00001 Wireless Standard Keyboard ($16.99 @ Directron)
Mouse: Kensington K72356US Wired Optical Mouse ($5.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $2077.61
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-30 18:17 EST-0500


Cheaper cooler, assuming you don't plan to overclock the snot out of your CPU.
Good enough motherboard
Cheaper memory
Super-fast SSD for OS and applications
Cheaper good case
Cheaper really good PSU
Don't need a sound card. Good sound on motherboard.
 
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DonkeyOatie

DonkeyOatie

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Sep 16, 2014
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You said you want a computer that will excel at anything. If you want to do serious computation or graphics rendering, overclocking will significantly improve performance and decrease processing time (10% or more) The CPU is probably worth overclocking to 4.0Ghz anyway, just for the performance boost.
 
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Chubpanda37

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Nov 25, 2015
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http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Zd4hbv
Some notes:
I personally don't think you need 32gb but who knows? 500gb ssd for your os and some games. 2tb HDD for your main storage. I picked a GTX 970 4gb because honestly it can max out most games(some you'll have to turn down the settings just a little bit). I put this together a bit fast so you can probably lower the price down a bit if you take some time on it.
 
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DonkeyOatie

DonkeyOatie

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Yes, but look at the software. The GTX970 is not certified for the drivers, nor will it perform as well with them. This is a Workstation that plays games not a gamer for other stuff.

 
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Chubpanda37

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Nov 25, 2015
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Okay then just swap out the 970 for whatever gpu works. Like I said I put this together in a bit of a rush so sorry if it aint the best of builds kurthalamue. But the 5930k is a better choice than the 6700k.

 
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kurthalamue

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After looking this over and going over the budget again it looks like I was a little to generous with my amount. I will need to tone it back to around 1,700 USD. I know this will mean some parts have to go but I do not really know where to start. This is the new current build.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/6FLxpg

CPU: Intel Core i7-5930K 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($459.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-C14S 82.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($79.75 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock X99 Extreme4 ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($159.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung SM951 256GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($179.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital BLACK SERIES 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($113.40 @ Amazon)
Video Card: PNY Quadro K2200 4GB Video Card ($425.82 @ B&H)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX XTR 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($91.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM (64-bit) ($84.98 @ OutletPC)
Wired Network Adapter: Intel EXPI9301CTBLK 10/100/1000 Mbps PCI-Express x1 Network Adapter ($23.80 @ SuperBiiz)
Monitor: LG 25UM56-P 60Hz 25.0" Monitor ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Cooler Master CM Storm Devastator Gaming Bundle Wired Gaming Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $2034.66
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-12-01 02:20 EST-0500
 
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DonkeyOatie

DonkeyOatie

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Sep 16, 2014
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Progress at the cost of a bit of speed.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-5820K 3.3GHz 6-Core Processor ($364.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-C14S 82.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($79.75 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock X99 Extreme4 ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws 4 series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO 500GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($147.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: PNY Quadro K2200 4GB Video Card ($425.82 @ B&H)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA GS 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($80.62 @ Mac Mall)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.15 @ SuperBiiz)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM (64-bit) ($84.98 @ OutletPC)
Wired Network Adapter: Intel EXPI9301CTBLK 10/100/1000 Mbps PCI-Express x1 Network Adapter ($23.80 @ SuperBiiz)
Monitor: LG 25UM56-P 60Hz 25.0" Monitor ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Cooler Master CM Storm Devastator Gaming Bundle Wired Gaming Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($21.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $1801.00
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-12-01 05:25 EST-0500

You need to check and see just how much of a hit you will take if you shift to a consumer GPU like the GTX 970.
 
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K

kurthalamue

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Nov 30, 2015
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Thank you so much for all of your help with this. I think this is the lowest I can get it, even going to the GTX 970. I figure I can update down the road.

Two final questions:
Could I get away with the power supply you specified or do I need the 750W?
I changed the 850 EVO out for a 950 Pro but I am not sure if the benefits out weigh the cost.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/8YwJcf
 
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DonkeyOatie

DonkeyOatie

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Sep 16, 2014
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I run an Intel i5 and a GTX 970 on a good 450W PSU. A 650W PSU will handle the possible 200W usage of an overclocked i7 5820K, and the 150W of the GTX970, even with the other parts, a great 650W PSU will do it. To save a little more, you could drop to the EVGA-110-B2-0750-VR. It's only Bronze, but it's a great PSU and is close to $60. A good Seasonic 620W PSU would do. I'd put any extra money into size. A 500Gb SSD drive would handle working files a lot better.
 
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kurthalamue

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Thank you again for all of your help with this.
 
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