CAD & Entertainment i7 Build 1500€-1700€

j_bob · Oct 9, 2009

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: This Week

BUDGET RANGE: 1500€ -1700€ ($1500-$2000?)

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: 3D Modelling, Rendering, Photoshop, CAD, Entertainment (and probably games) Primary Software: Rhinoceros, Maxwell Render, Photoshop, AutoCAD

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard & Mouse, Windows 7

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: hoh.de

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Germany (but to be moved perminantly to England)

PARTS PREFERENCES: none

OVERCLOCKING: Probably

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1200

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I need a computer for Architectural work aswell as for watching HD films and want to be able to leave it rendering overnight without it making too much noise. It needs to be moved to the UK in a years time and will run Win 7 64-bit Professional.

These are some parts I’ve been thinking about...

CPU
Intel Core i7 920 4x2.67GHz So1366 BOX (229,70 €)
http://www.hoh.de/Hardware/CPU-/-Prozessor/Intel/Sockel-1366/Intel-Core-i7-920-4x267GHz-So1366-BOX_i8478_76775.htm

MOTHERBOARD
Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD5, X58 (triple PC3-10667U DDR3) (215,50 €)
http://www.hoh.de/Hardware/Mainboards/Intel/Sockel-1366/Gigabyte/Gigabyte-GA-EX58-UD5-X58-triple-PC3-10667U-DDR3_i6913_77404.htm

RAM
I was thinking 6GB...

GFX
Probably Nvidia but not sure which.

PSU
Not sure. Will I need a UK PSU in the long run?

CPU Cooler
...

CASE
Lian Li PC-8NB Midi-Tower – black (89,90 €)
http://www.caseking.de/shop/catalog/Gehaeuse/Lian-Li/Lian-Li-Midi-Tower/Lian-Li-PC-8NB-Midi-Tower-black::13336.html

Anyone know any other companies producing cases without LEDs and whistles?

DVD-RW
LG Electronics GH22LP20 schwarz bulk (27,90 €)
http://www.hoh.de/Hardware/Laufwerke-und-Zubehoer/DVD-Brenner/E-IDE/LG/LG-Electronics-GH22LP20-schwarz-bulk_i1505_68577.htm

HARD DRIVE
Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 1,5TB SATA II 32MB 7200rpm (92,90 €)
http://www.hoh.de/Hardware/Festplatten/Intern/35/S-ATA/nach-Groesse/ab-1000GB/Seagate-Barracuda-720011-15TB-SATA-II-32MB-7200rpm_i8459_71337.htm

Should I get a seperate hard-drive for my OS & apps? Would a SSD/Raptor be beneficial to photoshop, modelling etc? More secure?

MONITOR
Dell UltraSharp 2408WFP, 24" TFT, DVI/VGA (509,90 €)
http://www.hoh.de/default.aspx?VL=Dell%20UltraSharp%202408WFP%2024&SC=rel&TY=2&ST=5

HEADPHONES
Sennheiser RS 120 Funkkopfhörer (74,90 €)
http://www.hoh.de/Home-Entertainment/Kopfhoerer/Sennheiser/Kabellos/Sennheiser-RS-120-Funkkopfhoerer-09920_i7682_61579.htm

Great forum here, thanks in advance for any advice.

build · Oct 9, 2009

Motherboard: ASUS P6T, X58 - 181,50 €
http://www.hoh.de/Hardware/Mainboards/Intel/Sockel-1366/Asus/ASUS-P6T-X58-90-MIB720-G0EAY00Z_i6922_83991.htm

RAM: Corsair XMS3 KIT 6GB - 109,90 €
http://www.hoh.de/Hardware/Arbeitsspeicher/Desktop/DDR3/DDR3-1600/Groesse/Kits/6-GB/Corsair-XMS3-KIT-6GB-PC3-12800U-DDR3-1600-CL9_i7872_78773.htm

GFX: Palit GTX 275 Dual Fan 896MB - 175,90 €
http://www.hoh.de/Hardware/Grafik-/Video-/TV-Karten/NVIDIA/PCIe/GTX-275/Palit-GTX-275-Dual-Fan-896MB-GDDR3-PCIe-DVIHDMI_i8114_101896.htm

PSU: Corsair Netzteil TX750W - 97,90 €
http://www.hoh.de/Hardware/Netzteile/700-1000-Watt/Corsair-Netzteil-TX750W-12cm-CMPSU-750TXEU_i2334_39314.htm

j_bob · Oct 9, 2009

Thanks, I wasn't sure whether to go for the Asus or Gigabyte X58 - is there much in it?

Also considering this monitor
http://www.hoh.de/Monitore/24-TFT/Dell/Dell-UltraSharp-U2410-24-TFT-HDMI/DVI/VGA-schw_i3413_104507.htm

but both are pretty expensive. Are LG monitors any good?

for example...
http://www.hoh.de/Monitore/24-TFT/LG/LG-L246WHX-BN-24-TFT-DVI/VGA-schwarz_i3416_80838.htm

much appreciated!

build · Oct 9, 2009

LG monitors are very good, I have a 22" LG monitor myself

I would go for this one instead though http://www.hoh.de/Monitore/24-TFT/LG-W2452V-PF-24-TFT-HDMI/DVI/VGA-schwarz_i965_63364.htm . Same resolution, connections and response time but a lot cheaper.

Forgot to include a CPU cooler in my previous post. This one is good for overclocking http://www.hoh.de/Hardware/CPU-/-Prozessor/Intel/Kuehler/Sockel-1366-Kuehler/Noctua/Noctua-NH-U12P-SE1366-Sockel-1366_i7095_80573.htm

j_bob · Oct 10, 2009

I've had a look at some articles on the Asus P6T and Palit GTX275 and they sound good so I'll probably go with them. One question - whats the benefit of the 2 fans on the GTX275? will they produce extra noise?

I should go for a cheaper monitor, but I much prefer the simple 'picture frame' style and not the glossy rim style. I also need very accurate colours and a good size for photoshop work.

Also just been looking through some other case options:
http://www.caseking.de/shop/catalog/Gehaeuse/Lian-Li/Lian-Li-Midi-Tower/Lian-Li-PC-8NB-Midi-Tower-black::13336.html
http://www.caseking.de/shop/catalog/Gehaeuse/Lian-Li/Lian-Li-Midi-Tower/Lian-Li-PC-7B-YCF-black::13301.html
http://www.caseking.de/shop/catalog/Gehaeuse/Lian-Li/Lian-Li-Midi-Tower/Lian-Li-PC-60FNW-Midi-Tower-Window-Edition-black::13476.html

Will a 250mm fan on the side improve cooling much or will it just bring in extra dust? I would quite like a side window but not really keen on the LED's, but I guess they can be unplugged.

And will it make a difference using a European PSU in the UK (voltage/plug type etc)? Hoping to start ordering stuff in a couple of days and would like to get this ordered first if it needs importing.

build · Oct 10, 2009

It should be the opposite, with 1 fan you might need to increase the speed to keep the GPU cool when gaming, the faster the speed of the fan the more noise it will create. With 2 fans you can keep the speed of each fan down and still get decent cooling.

They all look like good cases, it's really just up to your personal preference.

You can use any PSU anywhere, I'm using a PSU with a german plug here in the UK. Obviously the plug won't fit into the wall socket, but I bought a cheap adapter and it works just fine.

JackNaylorPE · Oct 10, 2009

j_bob :

I build boxes for CAD users, many of which are into gaming. My son has a build going using many of the components below. These might be an option for you ....

http://www.caseking.de/shop/catalog/Cases/Antec/Antec-Nine-Hundred-Two::11845.html
http://www.caseking.de/shop/catalog/Cases/Antec/Antec-Twelve-Hundred-Ultimate-Gamer-Case::10846.html

All intake fans have filters, well at least on the 1200.

I use the Antec Signature series PSU's; the Corsair HX series is equivalent.

The Asus P6T is another MoBo to consider, the Rampage II Extreme if you really going to push it.

Yes agree, 6 Gigs is fine, lowest CASS timings you can afford. DDR1600 is what I have been buying, Mushkin Redline currently has lowest timings.

Your monitor (S-PVA panel) is a good choice....TN panels aren't suitable for PhotoShop.

I been going with the Plextor 320AS

The 7200.11 is a generation behind. The 7200.12 is the current version.

For HSF, my son's Prolimetach Shadow just arrived w/ twin Enermax Magma fans .... pretty impressive looking however I myself would not have paid the extra $20 for the Shadow and I woulda stayed w/ the Megahalem.

http://www.caseking.de/shop/catalog/CPU-Coolers/All-CPU-Coolers/Prolimatech-Megahalems-CPU-Cooler-Socket-775-1366::11782.html
http://www.caseking.de/shop/catalog/Fans/120mm-Fans/Enermax-Magma-UCMA12-120mm::11018.html

It's usually a bad time to be buying GFXcards just before the holidays. New generation cards come out which are basically reference designs which the manufacturers haven't had a chance to improve upon.... they will keep pushing the envelope and the cards get better and better until spring summer leaving many early purchasers w/ "Buyer's Remorse".

Though many feel different, my personal outlook is that I ain't seen nothing in DX10 to go jumping up and down about let alone DX11. So "new technology" isn't really floating my boat. The introduction of the 58xx series I woulda expected to knock the nVidia cards and even older ATI cards down in price but not seeing much movement there as yet.

The single card top dog is still the GTX 295 but the best "frame rates for the buck" in the hi end category seems to be twin 5850's at the moment. PhysX still features in many people's decisions and now that someone has hacked it, there's a lot of ATI Xfire users adding a 3rd nVidia card so that they can now enjoy those features too.

j_bob · Oct 10, 2009

Brilliant, thanks for all the help.

As for cases I think I'll go for the Lian Li PC-7B YCF. The big fan on the side got me. And the Dell U2410 Display looks like the best for what I need, despite the big price tag. I use photoshop to edit 3D renderings and an accurate display is pretty important. I would however like to save some cash elsewhere if possible to make up for it.

Still wondering about the Hard Drive though. I'd like to store all of my work internally (whilst using a 500gb external as backup) as well as multimedia (without backup). Would it be safer to also get a smaller drive for OS & Apps?

j_bob · Oct 10, 2009

sorry JackNaylorPE wasn't referring to your post, I'll check those out now

grither · Oct 10, 2009

Mind if I ask why you don't like the gigabyte he chose? I was leaning towards the asus but am back to the gigabyte mainly because of the 10 sata ports versus 6 on the asus. Can you tell me why you don't like it?

build :

j_bob · Oct 10, 2009

JackNaylorPE,

Thanks for the advice. Are you reffering to the Dell UltraSharp 2408WFP or the U2410? I'm thinking the U2410 at the moment, looks like its a newer model with better spec.

Do I need to buy fans for the Megahalem? I have no idea what kind of cooler to get, there seems to be a lot of choice in many shapes and sizes.

I like the design of the Lian Li's cases, not a fan of the gaming ones so I'll stick with that.

I saw the TH article on twin 5850's - would it be worth it?

j_bob · Oct 10, 2009

j_bob · Oct 11, 2009

Hope to order within 12 hours unless any major changes!

build · Oct 11, 2009

Looks good

j_bob · Oct 11, 2009

and do I need some thermal paste or does that come with the cooler? have I missed anything?

JackNaylorPE · Oct 11, 2009

j_bob :

The U2410 is an IPS panel and the 2408 is a S-PVA panel. The S-PVA is generally thought of as a compromise between the image quality of a IPS and the gaming response of a TN. I'll have to check a few reviews on the 2410 to see how it holds up.

Do I need to buy fans for the Megahalem? I have no idea what kind of cooler to get, there seems to be a lot of choice in many shapes and sizes.

I used the Enermax 120mm Magma fans $14.99 at newegg a while back w/ a $7 manufacturer's rebate. Very quiet fan.

I saw the TH article on twin 5850's - would it be worth it?

Well there's a dichotomy of sorts in the gaming world. WHat excites you more right now DX11 or PhysX. IIRC, there's 11 games right now out or in development for DX11 and about 150 for PhysX. If ya take a look at this review, Phys X looks pretty exciting:

http://firingsquad.com/hardware/batman_arkham_asylum_physx_performance/page4.asp

OTOH, twin 5870's will get you more fps and DX11, but no legitimate PhysX.

However,if you look here, seems you can have the best of both worlds w/ a bit of hack.

http://www.tomshardware.com/news/nvidia-ATI-physx-patch-gpu,8786.html

Following the link, you will read however that many peeps had a helluva time getting it working and nVidia may come back w/a driver upgrade that disables the hack.

However twin 5870's and a 9800 GT for PhysX processing seems to be the best of both worlds and cheaper than a pair of 5870's

JackNaylorPE · Oct 11, 2009

j_bob :

I got the Prolimatech Mega Shadow and that came with thermal paste. I bought the Diamond "7 karat" paste though.

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/7038/thr-41/Innovation_Cooling_Diamond_7_Carat_Thermal_Compound_-_15_Grams.html

j_bob · Oct 11, 2009

Going to order very shortly.

Cheers JackNaylorPE - I'll have another look at the monitors before I order.

What do you think of the Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 1000GB instead of the Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 1,5TB? I read that there were some firmware problems with the .11 and to be honest I could do with saving 30 euros....

JackNaylorPE · Oct 11, 2009

Here's a review of the U2410 from a site which does very good reviews....look like the 2410 has some notable improvements.

http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews/dell_u2410.htm

Note that this site is "ultra-critical" and is intended for graphics professionals. You can downlaod color correcting profiles fpor each monitor here if you don't calibrate the ah heck yourself.

Yes, the 7200.12's are great .... I use them both in NAS and desktops. They still top the charts for low sound and temperature and have near tops disk throughput. The new WD 2 TB models edge it out a bit in fast reads but for the small margin, I'll take the quieter / cooler of the two

j_bob · Oct 20, 2009

All installed and running pretty smoothly!

But there are a couple of problems with the Noctua CPU Cooler as it doesnt fit in the case with the side fan, so I took the side fan off (relatively easy). And there is only one 4-pin CPU fan connection on the Asus P6T and the Noctua has 2 3-pin connections. So I have the rear fan connected as the CPU fan (3-pin in a 4-pin) and the front fan as a chassis fan. So the front fan seems to run at a constant speed and is quite loud.

Are there any solutions to this?

Other than that im really happy, thanks for all the help!

JackNaylorPE · Oct 24, 2009

You can gang them together on one pin provided you don't exceed the amp rating of the MoBo Header. I searched th Asus web site nad did some Yahoo searches to confirm the rating on the Asus R2E and it was way higher than the max 0.34 amp x 2 that goes with the twin Enermax Magmas I put on the Prolimatech Shadow.

Many will argue that this is dangerous and should never be done and woll then recommend a powerful fan that will draw a full amp. The header doesn't know how many fans are connected to it, all it knows is how many watts it draws.

How you go about accomplishing it depends on how much work you wanna do. We sleeved all the cables in my son's box using this:

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/3728/slv-27/Ultra_Blue_UV_Reactive_12_Nylon_Cable_Sleeve.html?tl=g35
http://www.frozencpu.com/cat/l2/g35/c181/list/p1/SleevingHeatshrink-Heat_Shrink_UV.html

Which required taking of the 3 pin connector anyway, so we just soldered the two wores on a single pin and were good to go. Here's two options for ya:

Easy Way:

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/1090/cab-05/3-pin_Y_Cable_Splitter.html

Harder Way (Assumes you are sleeving the cables)

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/1828/ele-180/FrozenCPU_3-pin_Female_Fan_Connector_-_Blue_UV.html
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/1821/ele-173/3-Pin_Power_Supply_Connector_Pins_Set.html
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/3836/too-07/FrozenCPU_Dual_Head_ATX_Connector_Removal_Tool_ATX_4-pin_P4_6-pin_PCI-E_8-pin_Xeon_Auxiliary_3-pin_or_4-pin_Fan_Flop.html?tl=g12c133s257

See pinouts here:

http://www.allpinouts.org/index.php/Motherboard_(CPU)_4_Pin_Fan

CAD & Entertainment i7 Build 1500€-1700€

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