COMPUTER FOR ARCHITECTURE

[jason18]

Hello, I am an architecture student and after using the computers supplied to us for a few months I have decided it is time to purchase something with ALOT more power. I typically have to run multiple programs simultaneously such as Adobe Suites (Usually Photoshop and Illustrator). I also am required to use programs such as Graphics processing, Architecture softwares, AutoCAD, 3D Studio Max, Rhino 3d, photoshop etc.; other purpose include using it for internet browsing, downloading, Microsoft office, watching HD movies, songs etc. I have reviewed some other posts on the website regarding this subject but most seems to be outdated by a few months. I do not plan on using it much for gaming but would like to get as much power as I can for the money and if possible keep the price under $1000. if possible $800 would be even better. To sum it all up I need something that I can run multiple programs quickly without a lot of down time. If building my own would be a better option that is fine as I have a buddy who can help me, but he has always dealt with gaming computers so he isn't sure what my cheapest/best options are here. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance

 

[ScrewySqrl]

Here's my suggestion for you:

AMD Phenom II X6 1075T Black Edition Thuban 3.0 GHz Socket AM3 125W Six-Core Desktop Processor Plus ASUS ENGTX570/2DI/1280MD5 GeForce GTX 570 (Fermi) 1280MB 320-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card: $521.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.593766
6 cores will be better than 4 for your needs. The 570 is for CUDA, and is hugely powerful. The 1075t can be overclocked to 4 GHz easily.

AS Rock 880GM-LE AM3 AMD 880G Micro ATX AMD Motherboard $59.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157199
a basic board that does everything you need, since you have an nvidia card, you need only the one x16 slot. This board is out of stock, but should be back tomorrow

G.SKILL Value Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory: $77.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231424
8 GB for your large CAD programs

A-DATA S599 AS599S-64GM-C 2.5" 64GB SATA II Internal Solid State Drive (SSD): $108.99 w/ $10 MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211485
as SSD for your OS and CAD programs. Uses the excellent sandforce controller.

Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive: $39.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148395
I lowered this from a 1TB to a 500GB to squeeze in the 64GB SSD

Antec TruePower New TP-550 550W 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC PSU: $69.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371020
a solid, reliable PSU that will more than handle your 570 (It has 80amps across 4 12v rails, the 570 needs 38)

CoolerMaster Hyper 212+ CPU Cooler: $29.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065
to facilitate overclocking that 1075t to 3.8-4.0 GHz)

LITE-ON CD/DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model iHAS124-04 - OEM: $16.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289
a basic DVD Burner

Rosewill Destroyer computer case: $49.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147144

Total $977.90.
w. shipping: $992.55

changing from the 500 GB HDD to a 1 TB would increase the base cost to $1005.90

 

[jason18]

The build that you provided looks awesome. Obviously I know my priorities are in the RAM as well as the processor. Would possibly looking into a different processor/video card save me some money while keeping good performance? Do I really need a $350 video card? any help would be appreciated.

 

[sync_nine]

Slight corrections
- Try to pick 1600 mhz RAMs if you are planning to over clock
- Yes CUDA is very important for you, thus can take a GTX 470, which has the same configuration (Slightly slower) but has the same number of CUDA cores, plus its $100 cheaper.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=gtx+470&x=0&y=0

 

[jason18]

when you say "slightly slower" how much slower are we talking?

 

[sync_nine]

Thats the bench marks
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/311?vs=306
Well, you said you don't really need it for gaming so you need more focus on CUDA's direct compute, which divides the work from the CPU to the GPU(Sharing work), so i think it would do good.
If you need work station GPU's then its a different story entirely because those are built for extreme graphics processing, and probably will fit your needs better.
http://www.nvidia.com/page/quadrofx_family.html
Nvidia Quadro Family range of GPUs

 

[sync_nine]

I believe something like this is worth while
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883108495&cm_re=quadro-_-83-108-495-_-Product

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883108490&cm_re=quadro-_-83-108-490-_-Product

Xeon is a server level processor, so its beneficial for large applications like 3D rendering and AutoCAD, but u might need to upgrade the RAM on that system.

 

[jason18]

Thanks for posting the benchmark results. As for the GPU I do not necessarily see myself needing something "work station" right now. I am only in my second year and don't have anything that "extreme" so I think that the GTX 470 you recommended should suffice.

 

[jason18]

Correct me if I'm wrong but it seems as if going with the initial build proposed replacing the GPU with the GTX 470 would give me more power at a cheaper cost than the Thinkstation