Need help buidling a new computer in Canada budget $4k max for 3D work

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dollseyes

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Feb 15, 2016
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1,510
Hi Guys
I have a budget of $4k (inc tax) using PC part builder site to work out parts, costs etc.
Don't know much about building computers and a friend from overseas gave me some advice on parts I should consider .
I'm about to start a new remote contract and would appreciate advice on building a new rig.
My thinking is once I have the system parts all selected within my budget I will go to NCIX or Memory Express as they build computers from the parts you've chosen.
I was originally thinking of just going down to one of these stores and letting them help me but having read mixed reviews on some staffs knowledge and their sales protocol of selling surplus stock. I would feel a lot happier going in with my list of parts I want.
I've attached the link from PC Part Picker of the selected components so far and would be grateful if any of you could just complete it and re post the link.

Regarding the list I do not need software, monitors or peripherals. I'm not sure if I need to purchase a operating system either as I have Win 7 Pro 64-bit disc which is prompting to free upgrade to Win 10 on my current PC. My thinking is when when I restore my back up to the new rig using the Win 7 disc I could then free upgrade to WIn 10 (or not)
(again please forgive my ignorance if that's not the case and I will need to buy a operating system then so be it)
http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/parts/os/
Thanks guys!
 
Solution
H
Sorry about that. I edited it some more to fit your budget. I have removed one titan x card and added a operating system. Since we dont need as much power because we are not running titan x sli I dropped the psu to a nice 1000w.
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/gQcjf7
Taxes depend on where you live. In most cases no you dont have to pay tax.
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bambiboom

bambiboom

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Apr 7, 2012
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dollseyes

It would help to know the applications you're using and type of projects, and whether your doing a lot of rendering, and/or scientific or analytical work. When visiting the link in your post, I'm not seeing a parts list, only a list of of the various iterations of Windows.

Here is an idea for a system that should cover most kinds of 3D modeling work and have a strong rendering potential. Variations could include an 8-core Xeon E5-2600 series and instead of the two GTX 970's- which would make fast work of animations /video effects processing for example, a Quadro M4000 (8GB) could be the thing. There may also be good arguments for a 512GB M.2 drive and/or multiple mech'l drives in RAID, so the total is not pushing the budget .

Sorry, the prices are in USD but $2,800 if converted to CAD equals about $3,848 CAD. I'm reasonably certain the system will need it's own copy of Windows.

BambiBoom PixelCannon Canuckamodarendergrapharific iPlonk TurboBlast ExtremeSignature SuperModel 9900 ®©$$™®£™©™_ 2.16.15

CPU: Intel Xeon E5-1650 v3 Six-Core Haswell Processor 3.5GHz 0GT/s 15MB LGA 2011-v3 CPU w/o Fan, Retail > $570

___ http://ark.intel.com/products/82765/Intel-Xeon-Processor-E5-1650-v3-15M-Cache-3_50-GHz___

___ http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=E51650V3BX

Motherboard: ASUS X99-WS/IPMI LGA2011-v3/ Intel X99/ DDR4/ Quad CrossFireX & 3-Way SLI/ SATA3&USB3.0/ M.2&SATA Express/ A&2GbE/ ATX Workstation Motherboard> $400

___ http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=MB-X99WSIM

CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 120mm & 140mm SSO CPU Cooler > $80

____ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608018

RAM: Crucial 32GB (2 x 16GB) 288-Pin DDR4 SDRAM ECC DDR4 2133 (PC4 17000) Server Memory Model CT2K16G4RFD4213> 225

____ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA6ZP3R87092

GPU: (2) EVGA GeForce GTX 970 04G-P4-2974-KR 4GB SC GAMING w/ACX 2.0, Silent Cooling Graphics Card> $688 ($345 each)
____ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487160&cm_re=gtx_980_ti_6gb-_-14-487-160-_-Product

Drive 1: Drive 1: SAMSUNG SM951 M.2 256GB PCI-Express 3.0 Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) - OEM > $174

____ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA12K3G96790&cm_re=SM951-_-20-147-425-_-Product

Drive 2: Seagate Constellation ES.3 SATA 6Gb/s 2TB Hard Drive 7200RPM 128MB Cache > $164
____ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA24G15V7993&cm_re=Constellation_Es.3_2tb-_-00A-00E9-000K5-_-Product

PSU: SeaSonic G-750 SSR-750RM 750W ATX12V / EPS12V 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply > $120

____ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151132

Case: Corsair Obsidian 750D Black Aluminum / Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case > $160

____ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139024&cm_re=corsair_obsidian-_-11-139-024-_-Product

Optical Drive: LG Black 16X BD-R 2X BD-RE 16X DVD+R 5X DVD-RAM 12X BD-ROM 4MB Cache SATA Blu-ray Burner WH16NS40 - OEM > $59

____ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136269&cm_re=bluray_burners-_-27-136-269-_-Product

OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit - OEM > $140
______________________________

TOTAL = $ 2,800 USD = aboot $3848 CAD

Add about $160 USD for:

PNY Quadro M4000 VCQM4000-PB 8GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 Full Height Workstation Video Card

___ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA24G3RH4362&cm_re=quadro_m4000-_-14-132-051-_-Product

-which would be my first choice if using 3ds and/or Maya


Cheers,

BambiBoom


Modeling:

1. HP z420 (2015) > Xeon E5-1660 v2 (6-core @ 3.7 / 4.0GHz) > 32GB DDR3 1866 ECC RAM > Quadro K4200 (4GB) > Intel 730 480GB (9SSDSC2BP480G4R5) > Western Digital Black WD1003FZEX 1TB> M-Audio 192 sound card > 600W PSU> > Windows 7 Professional 64-bit > Logitech z2300 speakers > 2X Dell Ultrasharp U2715H (2560 X 1440)>
[ Passmark Rating = 5064 > CPU= 13989 / 2D= 819 / 3D= 4596 / Mem= 2772 / Disk= 4555] [Cinebench R15 > CPU = 1014 OpenGL= 126.59 FPS] 7.8.15

Rendering:

2. Dell Precision T5500 (2011) (Revised) > 2X Xeon X5680 (6 -core @ 3.33 / 3.6GHz), 48GB DDR3 1333 ECC Reg. > Quadro K2200 (4GB ) > PERC H310 / Samsung 840 250GB / WD RE4 Enterprise 1TB > M-Audio 192 sound card > 875W PSU > Windows 7 Professional 64> HP 2711x (27", 1920 X 1080)
[ Passmark system rating = 3844 / CPU = 15047 / 2D= 662 / 3D= 3500 / Mem= 1785 / Disk= 2649] (12.30.15)







 
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dollseyes

Commendable
Feb 15, 2016
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Thanks Bambiboon for your in depth reply. Sorry about the link. 1st time poster . Here are the components that I had picked under advice from a PC friend back home in the UK (I live and work in Canada)
I am a 3D Artist / Character Modeler working in The Games Industry and the new contract is a off-site remote position.
I use programs such as Maya, Zbrush, Marvelous Designer, Substance Painter and Mari. The last 3 progs listed are pretty heavy usage individually on my old and I cannot run more than 2 of this above programs simultaneously without major slow down or crashing.
Hey hyfurd2112 - as much as poss for storage (think listed below is plenty) not worried by cases.

I have spoken with colleagues in the industry and most work on site with uber powerful workstations especially those in film. Below are 2 choices thats been suggested. The 1st is custom parts and the 2nd is a customised complete system from NCIX.
I would appreciate thoughts. I just looking to get the best I casn and future proof myself for as long as possible -

PCPartPicker part list: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/V9JG7P


CPU: Intel Core i7-5960X 3.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($1450.75 @ shopRBC)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H75 54.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($102.99 @ Amazon Canada)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H110i GT 113.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($162.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Motherboard: MSI X99A SLI KRAIT EDITION ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard ($354.98 @ Amazon Canada)
Memory: Kingston HyperX Fury Black 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4-2666 Memory ($275.00 @ Canada Computers)
Storage: Samsung 850 Pro Series 512GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($305.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Western Digital BLACK SERIES 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($169.98 @ DirectCanada)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6GB Superclocked ACX 2.0+ Video Card ($899.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Case: Corsair 750D ATX Full Tower Case ($189.99 @ BestDirect)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 1000 P2 1000W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($264.00 @ Canada Computers)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Pro OEM (64-bit) ($189.99 @ Canada Computers)
Wireless Network Adapter: Asus PCE-N15 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($36.99 @ NCIX)
Total: $4403.62

NCIX Rogue Tier 3 custom


AMD & Intel CPU Intel Core I7-5930K 3.70GHZ Six Core 15MB Hyperthreading LGA2011-V3 Processor 1 $928.98
CPU Heatsinks Corsair Cooling Hydro Series H100I GTX CPU Cooler System LGA1150 1155 1156 1366 2011 AM2 AM3 FM1 FM2 1 $150.13
Motherboards ASUS X99-PRO ATX LGA2011-3 X99 DDR4 4PCI-E16 2PCI-E SLI WiFi Bluetooth V4.0 SATA3 USB3.1 Motherboard 1 $499.98
DDR4 Desktop Memory Corsair Vengeance Lpx 32GB 2X16GB DDR4-2666MHZ C16 1.2V Memory Kit - Black 1 $364.98
AMD & NVIDIA GPU ASUS GeForce GTX 980 Ti Strix 1317MHZ 6GB 7.2GHZ GDDR5 DVI HDMI 3xDisplayPort PCI-E Video Card 1 $920.26
Power Supplies Corsair CS750M CS Modular 80 Plus GOLD-RATE 750W 12V Power Supply /5 Years Warranty 1 $155.08
Computer Cases Corsair Carbide Clear 600C Full Tower Case Window ATX 2X5.25" 2X3.5" 3X2.5I" USB3.0X2 /2.0X2 - Black 1 $203.60
Operating Systems Microsoft Windows 10 Pro 64BIT English DVD OEM for NCIX PC 1 $185.98
Solid State Drive - SSD Samsung 850 EVO 1TB 2.5” SATA 3 Solid State Drive (SSD) 1 $489.69
Hybrid Hard Drives Seagate 2TB 3.5in SATA3 64MB Cache Internal Solid State Hybrid Drive SSHD for NCIX PC 1 $128.65
CD & DVD Drives ASUS DRW-24F1ST 24X SATA DVD Writer Black


Total $4,187.06

I appreciate I would have to do compatibility cheques and adjust some parts and when I have finally settled on the rig I will go to stores and negotiate price reduction


 
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dollseyes

Commendable
Feb 15, 2016
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thanks hyfurd that looks a lovely spec rig you shared. However It's over my $4k max budget (even though I'm good a bargaining) plus I will need a OS (Win 7 or 10) . Damn it does look sweet though but $1k + over my budget and I'm guessing tx is to be added to that as well?
 
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hyfurd2112

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May 9, 2014
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Sorry about that. I edited it some more to fit your budget. I have removed one titan x card and added a operating system. Since we dont need as much power because we are not running titan x sli I dropped the psu to a nice 1000w.
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/gQcjf7
Taxes depend on where you live. In most cases no you dont have to pay tax.
 
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dollseyes

Commendable
Feb 15, 2016
18
0
1,510
Thanks hyfurd2112 !
appreciate your help. I have a couple of questions if I may about the revised rig
1. Why do I need some many internal drives? At present I have a 1tb internal and a 1tb external and to date never filled them entirely. I am a character artist and although files sizes do get high on occasion I don't need too much.
2. Would 2 Graphics cards really be a boost especially in the long term? As I said before I want to get a rig thats powerful and going to last a while and if I have to upgrade in the future it will only be a couple of components at most that I have to switch out
3. I have never bought a pc in Canada despite living here for 4 years. Is it that there's no tax for pc and components in Canada? I live in Vancouver.

Thanks again for your advice hyfurd2112. I have to duck out for a couple of hours but will check with you this afternoon.
 
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bambiboom

bambiboom

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Apr 7, 2012
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dollseyes,

My approach to workstations is to gear it for the most demanding application, which in your use is Maya which combines 3D modeling with the potential for an extreme number of polygons, due to the use of textures, hair, reflections, and etc. with animations- the production of thousands of individually rendered frames. Have a look at the Autodesk recommended systems for Maya:

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/syscert?siteID=123112&id=18844534&results=1&stype=system&product_group=19&release=2015&os=8192&manuf=all&opt=1

What you're seeing is a lot of single and dual Xeon > ECC RAM > Quadro systems. However, the parts lists you've posted are based on fast gaming hardware. The "X" and "K" at the end of the processor name is for overclocking- boosting the speed, and that is the sworn nemesis of reliability in programs such as Maya.

I am a designer, both architecturally and industrial design so I'm primarily spending time on 3D modelling and then I'll have a binge of rendering where I have to do 40 large rendering in a hurry. My solution to this is to have a fast current a system with strong single-threaded performance for modeling, and a separate used system that is upgraded with a lot of processor cores for rendering.

As I anticipated Maya and/or 3Ds would be among the uses, I would stand by my original list based on the Xeon E5-1650 v3 on a good X99 motherboard.

However, if you're adventurous - and what I would do for myself in this situation would be to buy a used specification Dell Precision T7600 or T7610 with two Xeon E5-2680 CPU- that's an 8-core @ 2.7 /3.5GHz:

DELL T7600 PRECISION WORKSTATION W7 E5-2680 2.70GHZ 32GB 146GB 15K H310 > sold for $1,295 US 15 Jan 2016

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-Precision-T7600-2x-2-70GHz-8C-E5-2680-32GB-1x-250GB-H310-Win7Pro-CD-/381510979022?hash=item58d3d38dce:g:DggAAOSwaA5WlmQH

Then, because the system is reasonably priced add a great GPU, a Quadro M4000 8GB and a fast PCIe SSD like an Intel 750. You then a 16-core /32 thread , 32GB system with 3.5GHz for modeling and all those cores @2.7GHz plus the 1344 CUDA cores in the Quadro for processing. That system usefully has a PERC H310 PCIE controller card which allows many drives in RAID for performance and backup. You could run three monitors and 5 big programs simultaneously without missing a beat.

The nice feature of that system is that with the addition of the Quadro- plug it in- you could run it as purchased and upgrade while working. This gets you to work far sooner and the overall cost is the same or less for a much higher specification. This is the method I've used for all the system in the last 7 years and I've never had a failure of any component.

So, a couple of alternatives.

Cheers,

BambiBoom


 
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hyfurd2112

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May 9, 2014
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The i7 5960x is an absolute beast for rendering tasks however it is the best solution for your case. You want an all in one system? Here it is. You do not need so many drives, sorry for that. I thought you needed much more space than anticipated. I live in Los Angeles so I do not know about taxes in Canada, sorry.
 
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dollseyes

Commendable
Feb 15, 2016
18
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1,510
Thanks hyfurd2112 and BambiBoom . Thank you for your comments. Plenty to digest.
hyfurd2112 pretty sure they tax on computers and parts, pretty much everything else is taxed. When I go to buy my new pc I will negotiate hard and flash the paper in the wallet to seal the deal (always works)
 
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