First Computer Build for 3d Animation

[computernoob_10]

Hi everyone. This is my first computer build and sadly, it's not for gaming!

This computer is for a 3d animation artist who is still in school. This is not for professional work where deadlines equal meal tickets.

The two programs that will be used frequently is Maya 2010 and Softimage XSI.

My budget is around $1000 to $1300. (does not include monitor)

These are the parts I currently have my eyes on:

OS: Windows 7 64bit

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021&cm_re=antec_900-_-11-129-021-_-Product

GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD3R LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16813128375

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006&cm_re=corsair_power_supply-_-17-139-006-_-Product

Is 750W overkill for this setup? I am not planning on doing SLI or Crossfire.

Intel Core i7-920 Bloomfield 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202&cm_re=i7_920-_-19-115-202-_-Product

There's another i7 from microcenter. Just not 100% sure they are the same processor. It's cheaper from microcenter and I can request a D0 stepping one (but honestly, i really dont need to because i'm not overclocking anything for now)

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0302727

OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G1600LV6GK
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16820227365

*Note on ram: I need suggestions on ram. Just picked this temporarily. I was hoping to just pick up whatever ram goes on sale. The mobo specifies
DDR3 2000+ / 1333 / 1066. Don't know if it's a big issue if i pick a slower speed ram. DDR3 1600 was what my friend recommended.

ATI 100-505505 FireGL V7700 512MB PCI Express 2.0 x16 Workstation Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814195061&Tpk=ati%20firegl%20v7700

I am a Nvidia fan and always bought Nvidia cards. However, I have read up on articles from this website and others and I just can't justify paying 400 dollars for a quadro fx 1700 when this ati card is cheaper and outperforms it. I'm not looking to spend a ton of money on the vid card. I just want what is the best bang for the buck. If you have suggestions, please help a brotha out

Intel X25-V SSDSA2MP040G2R5 2.5" 40GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167025

Western Digital Caviar Blue WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218&cm_re=western_digital_harddrive-_-22-136-218-_-Product

The SSD drive is for installation of the OS, Maya, XSI and possibly other frequently used programs. Everything else goes to the 7200 rpm hd. Is this a good setup? If I am loading a file off the 7200rpm harddrive, I'm guessing the performance will suffer some. So is it still worth getting the SSD?

Also, I am confused about SATA and SATAII. How do I make sure that the SSD drive is connected in a SATAII connection as oppose to a regular SATA connection? The mobo specifies 8 SATA 3Gb/s connections. I read that 3Gb/s is synonymous to SATA II. Does this mean all SATA connections on this mobo is SATA II?

SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache IDE 22X DVD±R DVD Burner LightScribe Support
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16827151176

Lastly, I need to pick out a monitor. I am leaning towards a samsung lcd monitor. I'm looking for something in the $200 range and around 24". I have thought about the monitors with the tv tuners but i read bad reviews on them. Guess if i want a good monitor, that should be it's sole job lol.

Overclocking: NO
SLI or Crossfire: NO
Mintor Resolution: Not sure. I'm assuming 1920 x 1080

Thanks for taking the time to read. If you have any suggestions, please let me know.

 

[r_manic]

Perfect. I particularly like your choice of CPU, since those software renders will need all the multi-threaded power they can get!

 

[computernoob_10]

Thank you for the feedback r_manic.

Decided to go with the GA-EX58-UD4P mobo b/c it's on sale