New Computer

[adio38]

Hey guys, I am looking to build a new computer. Right now I am going with a Asus GeForce GTX 295 with 1792mb 896 (448x2) - bit GDDR3 PCI Express Video card, with 12 gigs of ram. The only thing I am trying to narrow down is the Processor and motherboard. I have talked it over with some people, and I am still torn. I really wanna have some processing power. So for 3D work, witch would be better, the new Intel i7 3.06 ghz by itself? or getting a server bored, and having dual quads. Help me out here guys. Thanks ahead of time for the comments

 

[adio38]

Thanks for the reply. I really want to get this machine right. I am a student, I am working mostly in zbrush. I am picking up XSI and doing modeling. I want to be able to render if I have to, specially for projects. Over the past few hours I have been doing some looking. I have narrowed it down to the processor I would be getting if I went dual core. It would be the Intel Xeon E5520 Nehalem 2.26GHz. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819117185 is the website I found it at. I also want to do 12 gigs RAM, and my Asus GeForce GTX 295 with 1792mb 896 (448x2) - bit GDDR3 PCI Express Video card. I am just having trouble now finding a board. Let me know what you think.

This is if I go with dual quad's. I am still deciding, I have posted on a number of 3D sites, and I have also e-mailed my 3d instructors. Please if anybody else has replies, please post them, I need all the advise I can get. The machine I am looking to build is probably no more than 2,000. What I have priced out I am putting majority of my cash towards Processor and Video. Thank you again.

 

[LePhuronn]

If you're doing 3D then you want at least quad-core - 3D apps will eat up as much processing power as you can handle. There is simply no reason to buy anything other than a i7 920 DO stepping - they overclock like a motherbitch and give you the same performance, if not more, of the top-end Extreme Editions for 1/5 the price - just get a good cooler for it (and that's a top for another discussion).

What's your budget? If you're doing 3D then you'd be better with a Quadro not a gaming card.

 

[Helloworld_98]

the E5520 is a quad core, the E5502 is a dual core.

 

[adio38]

Ok, so with that I was thinking about going with Dual Quads, Xeon E5520 Nehalem 2.26 GHz. Another reason I was thinking this chip, was because it also has hyperthreding. So please let me know if this set up is not the best, or what changes.
I am going with:
either XFX or ASUS GeForce GTX 295 with 1792mb of RAM
Dual Xeon E5520 Nehalem 2.26GHz Quad Processors
12 Gigs of Ram

Now with the Ram, I was thinking DDR3 as well.
My budget is going to be no more than 2,000. I have been checking out the Quadros, but I want at least 1 gig of on board memory, and to support both Open GL, and Direct X. They are a little out of my price rang. If anybody knows of one, please let me know. Thanks again.

 

[Helloworld_98]

^ you have to have ddr3 with nehalem.

 

[adio38]

ya i figured that one out just as I posted this haha. But I am officially going dual quads, just getting my video card figured out. I was just looking through newegg. I want something that supports both Open GL, and Direct X. I found this video card from BFG Tech. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143193 . Has 2bg of ram, supports both Open GL and DX. I am trying to find some specs on it, to see how it runs.

 

[adio38]

Ok. So after a good 2 - 3 hours looking around, and a few really tasty drinks later. I have come up with a spec sheet. I will post the specs and the link to everything below. Let me know what you all think. Or if I have something wrong, please let me know. I also found Combo deals over Newegg.

Video
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143193

RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145233

CPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117185

Heat Sink
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118051

Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813182192

cases
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133132

Power Supplies
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153038


MB + CPU Combo = 639.98
Case + PS Combo = 294.87
Video = 394.99
RAM = 239.99
Head Sink = 79.99
This all comes to a grand total of 1747.76
Now if I wanted to add my 2nd Quad Core, it would go up to 2156.90 those are both with tax added. So that is my spec sheet thus far. I am not 100% on the heat sink, but things may change. Please if anybody has any comments or changes to add, please let me know. Thank you all again.

 

[Yoosty]

Here is a better CPU HSF Cooler.
XIGMATEK Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler - Retail $44.98 Free Shipping*
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029

Also would change the case to one of these, they have better airflow and all of the 1366 CPU Coolers can fit.
COOLER MASTER Storm Scout SGC-2000-KKN1-GP $89.99 Free Shipping*
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119196

COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP $99.99 Free Shipping*
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197

You can also get this PSU in Combo deal with either case above and save an additional $30.00.
COOLER MASTER RS-700-AMBA-D3 700W Modular $109.99 Free Shipping* http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171037

But imho I would go with a Corsair PSU, either the 750w or 850w in either Non-Modular or Modular. Since you ae planning on a Dual CPU, 12gb of ram and the GTX 295, that takes power.

Also would suggest this Ram, lower timings and higher speed.
OCZ Gold 12GB (6 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 OCZ3G1600LV12GS $244.99 Free Shipping*
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227422



Hope this helps you out some.

 

[geofelt]

If you are not going to get two cpu's up front, why spend more for a server board and a lower clocked cpu?
A highly clocked i7 9xx can do lots of work.

 

[adio38]

I actually looked into the i7. The only reason I am doing dual quads is for rendering. I am building this for 3D work, I have talked with a few of my instructors from my school, as well as other people on a few different forums. And by going off what they have told me they have done, and also I am taking into consideration what programs I will be using, and what will make those run better. That is why I decided to go with dual quads.

And thank you Yoosty, I am probably going to make some changes, once I get more figured out I will repost a new spec sheet.

 

[daship]

For 3d youd be better off with i7 and a different video card. They make special video cards for 3d work.

If you do dual quads do it now or dont bother.