First time building a PC

Zin_LG

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APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: This week. Trying to buy before the 31st BUDGET RANGE: $1000-1300 Before / After Rebates Before

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, 3D modeling, rendering, animation, digital artwork, video editing every now and again, internet, and general use.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: (e.g.: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS) **Include Power Supply Make & Model If Re-using**

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com, or any reputable site COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: US

PARTS PREFERENCES: No preference

OVERCLOCKING: Yes, but I've never done and I would like to learn / Maybe SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Probably not since I'm trying to find whether or not I can have a workstation card and a gaming card in the same PC.

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1680x1050, 1920x1080

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: In researching whether using both a workstation and gaming card in the same pc was possible I came across the fact that Windows 7 may or may not support the ability to switch between two video card drivers.

So is it true that Windows 7 can do this? I would only have one monitor for now but I wouldn't mind switching inputs when I needed to used a different card.

Here is something put together already, but I will happily accept any critiques and suggestions especially if I can lower the price without lowering the performance by that much.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.303345

https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/MySavedWishDetail.aspx?ID=16904428

Is the i7 really worth the price increase over the i5?
 

Newf

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Dec 24, 2005
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Are you looking for components or do you want a pre-built system?
Workstation cards are best for engineering/CAD precision 3D modeling.
Gaming cards are similar in design, but have different drivers and are often faster for gaming applications. Are you an engineering/science student?
Normally you would choose one video card style and not try to run both.
Your budget does not allow for much of a workstation based videocard system.
Your budget is impossible for both a gaming video card AND a workstation video card.
Based on your post, I would consider an i5 750 system with a 5850 video card, 4GB ram and Win7. Overclock if you wish using a Cooler Master 512 cpu cooler. Forget about SLI/Xfire. Adjust the video card based on the $$$ left over when including a quality psu and hard drive.
 

Zin_LG

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The differences between workstation cards and gaming cards and there drivers I've researched. My question is does Windows 7 actually support the ability to have two non sli/crossfire graphic cards and switch between their drivers.

I'm an animation student. The reason I didn't have a workstation card listed in the build I posted is because I plan to buy that at a later time if I find that Windows 7 has dual card support which I probably should have put in my first post.
 

Newf

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Win7 does not support what you want.
You would have to remove one card's drivers, switch the cards and load the new card's drivers manually.
A good workstation card can do a decent job running games. It just costs serious money for what is in essence mediocre gaming performance.