Ok, so first of all I'm completely new to this; never built a system before, may have installed a disc drive or two but that would be the extent of my DIY experience. That being said, I'm a quick learner and not afraid to try someting new. I am looking to build a system that will be primarily used to run 3D applications and rendering; ACAD, Revit, Rhino, Sketchup, Blender, Kerkythea, CS4, etc. I'm not a big gamer so that isn't a huge factor for me. I live in the US and would love to keep this under $1500, under $1000 would be great but so far seems unlikely since I need everything, monitor, keyboard, the whole deal. I am currently working on a toshiba laptop that is 5 years old and just about worthless. I'm an architecture student and need to upgrade my rig so I can quit spending the night in the comp lab at school waiting for s@#t to render!
I have been on here, newegg, and other random sites doing a ton of research and to a certain degree have begun to nail down the components I think would work for my needs:
Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202
GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD3R LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128375
PNY VCQFX580-PCIE-PB Quadro FX580 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 Workstation Video Card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133273
OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G1600LV6GK - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227365
Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drives - OEM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284
COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160
OCZ StealthXStream OCZ700SXS 700W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341019
LG L227WTG-PF Black 22" 2ms Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 10000:1DCR with HDCP Support http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824005109
Definitely want to go with the i7 build but thats about the only certain thing. As it stands this set up would be about $1350.
Two main questions I have are, should I bump the MOBO up a bit? Seems like the gigabyte UD3R that I have selected works fine and can get the job done, but I have also read many good reviews of the ASUS P6t deluxe V2. Should I spend the extra 100 bucks more and jump up to this? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131365
The other big question, really my biggest sticking point right now is the graphics card. Currently I have selected the top of the line entry level (a bit oxymoronic) workstation card from nvidia, the QuadroFX580. Is this the way to go since I will be using this rig almost exclusively for 3D modeling/rendering? Or should I go with a consumer level card that has better specs like this one? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130475 the GTX275 supports OpenGL and DirectX 10 which I know is important for many of the applications i'll be using, does it make sense to shell out a few more bucks for the GTX275 or should I go with the more task specific QuadroFX580? (Although I am not a gamer, having the ability to play every once and awhile, when time permits, wouldn't be bad!)
Any and all input/advice/criticism is welcome... As I mentioned the main questions for me are about the MOBO and the graphics card, but If there are other issues, like the PSU not being right or a way to save a few bucks on a different case, please feel free to chime in! Nothing is set in stone yet, I have about 2, maybe 3 more weeks before I bust out the magic money dispensing card and start ordering this beast so there's plenty of time to fine tune and nit-pick right now.
Thanks in advance for your assistance!
I have been on here, newegg, and other random sites doing a ton of research and to a certain degree have begun to nail down the components I think would work for my needs:
Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202
GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD3R LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128375
PNY VCQFX580-PCIE-PB Quadro FX580 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 Workstation Video Card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133273
OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G1600LV6GK - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227365
Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drives - OEM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284
COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160
OCZ StealthXStream OCZ700SXS 700W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341019
LG L227WTG-PF Black 22" 2ms Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 10000:1DCR with HDCP Support http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824005109
Definitely want to go with the i7 build but thats about the only certain thing. As it stands this set up would be about $1350.
Two main questions I have are, should I bump the MOBO up a bit? Seems like the gigabyte UD3R that I have selected works fine and can get the job done, but I have also read many good reviews of the ASUS P6t deluxe V2. Should I spend the extra 100 bucks more and jump up to this? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131365
The other big question, really my biggest sticking point right now is the graphics card. Currently I have selected the top of the line entry level (a bit oxymoronic) workstation card from nvidia, the QuadroFX580. Is this the way to go since I will be using this rig almost exclusively for 3D modeling/rendering? Or should I go with a consumer level card that has better specs like this one? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130475 the GTX275 supports OpenGL and DirectX 10 which I know is important for many of the applications i'll be using, does it make sense to shell out a few more bucks for the GTX275 or should I go with the more task specific QuadroFX580? (Although I am not a gamer, having the ability to play every once and awhile, when time permits, wouldn't be bad!)
Any and all input/advice/criticism is welcome... As I mentioned the main questions for me are about the MOBO and the graphics card, but If there are other issues, like the PSU not being right or a way to save a few bucks on a different case, please feel free to chime in! Nothing is set in stone yet, I have about 2, maybe 3 more weeks before I bust out the magic money dispensing card and start ordering this beast so there's plenty of time to fine tune and nit-pick right now.
Thanks in advance for your assistance!