Photo / Video / CAD Build

SubtleTRex

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Aug 10, 2011
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Hi guys,

I am trying to put a parts list together for my first real build. I am looking to put together a machine that can handle a variety of tasks. I plan on using this computer to edit very large photos, hd video, and most importantly 3d modeling and finite element analysis. My main concern is putting something together than can handle all this for the next 3-4 years. So basically looking for good reliable parts that aren't going to screw me over during the build or down the line. I am also looking to try and keep this under $1,500 now and have some room to upgrade without building another computer (more storage space, crossfire/sli, etc...). Here is the build I have put together. Any advice would be appreciated.

CPU: Intel Core i7-2600K 3.40 GHz

MOBO: ASUS P8P67 LE B3 Intel P67

RAM: 2 x Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2x 4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800, DDR3-1600MHz, 9-9-9-24 CAS Latency, Intel XMP Ready, Unbuffered
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=667753&sku=C11-1081

GPU: Sapphire Radeon HD 6850 Toxic Edition
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=365393&sku=A271-6852

PSU: Kingwin LAZER 700w Power Supply
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6077244

Cooling: Corsair Hydro H50 CPU Liquid Cooler
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5267687&sku=C13-2528

Storage: OCZ SLD3-25SAT3-60G Solid 3 Series
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=557374&sku=O261-8203
2 x Western Digital WD1002FAEX 1TB Caviar Black
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6076939&sku=TSD-1000FAEX

Case: Cooler Master RC-600-KKN1-GP Gladiator 600 Mid Tower Case
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4950639&sku=C283-2052


Thanks,

Subtle
 

danraies

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Aug 5, 2011
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Pretty good build. A couple suggestions I have...

That motherboard isn't going to be ideal for dual video cards in the future. SLI/Crossfire works best in two PCIe 2.0 x16 slots that are in x8/x8 configuration and the ASUS P8P67 LE only supports x16/x4. The slow speed of the x4 will inhibit dual video card configurations. The cheapest P67-based motherboard by ASUS that supports x8/x8 on newegg was the ASUS P8P67 PRO:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131771

Also, if you're getting 16GB of ram, one 16GB (4x4GB) kit is going to perform slightly better than two 8GB (2x4GB) kits.

Finally, if you want to save a little money on your HDDs you can go with the Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB drives which have similar stats to the Caviar Blacks.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185
 

gonemtbiking123

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Also for the ram there is no guarantee that two separate sets of memory will work perfectly together due to them coming from different batches. I also would get the Samsung Spinpoint F3 over the blacks, I own both. And see the samsung run slightly cooler, quieter and slightly better performance.
 

SubtleTRex

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Aug 10, 2011
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Thanks for the suggestions guys. I have done a bunch of reading on this stuff but nothing helps as much as talking to people who know what they are doing.

I think with the different hdds and motherboard the price may actually drop. Well see what happens when I switch out the ram though.

Has anyone had experience with Kingwing power supplies? Trying to find one that will work with my build at a decent price and reliable has been a search.

Just as a random question any reason everyone here seems to prefer newegg to tigerdirect? They seem to have similar prices on everything and I have had decent experiences with td in the past... except for their rebate system. Just curious.
 
If you care about reliability, just get a Corsair PSU. For SLI, a TX750W will do you fine.
Newegg's just established and has a trusted feedback system. Seems like they have more rebates.
Let's see (assuming you mean prices after rebates):
$315 2600K
$170 P8P67 PRO
$095 TX750W ($110 before MIR)
$100 Ripjaws 16gb 1333
$060 case
$095 SSD
$120 HDDs
$070 water cooling, if you insist. I don't think you need it. You could get a Mugen 2 ____for $50.
That's $725 without a GPU. That leaves a whole bunch of money. I think a 580 may be justified :D
 

SubtleTRex

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Kajabla, I think your addition may be a little off. I am getting $1025 from that list which isn't bad but it isn't $725.

I was thinking water cooling in case I decided to overclock which I am about 85% certain I am going to do.

As much as I would love a 580 I can't justify that right now which is why I wanted to have space in the event my graphics needs are not met with the saphire 6850.
 

danraies

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For the price difference, I personally don't think the performance boost of a 580 over a 570 is worth it. A 570 is probably overkill anyway in a non-gaming machine.

I prefer newegg because their customer service is unmatched. I've ordered a lot of parts from them and a percentage have been defective in one way or another and newegg has taken great care of me every single time without hassle. Also you'll generally find more customer reviews on newegg than on any other site. The shell-shocker and daily deals are usually good, too.
 
Well, herpy derpy derp. No math today. Still a bunch of extra cash in the budget, though.
You do need a good GPU for 3D modeling. Just how far you want to go cash-wise is up to you. The 6850 will be decent. I was just going up to your max budget.

Most people get pretty wild OCs on the 2600K on air cooling with no problem.
 

etk

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Oct 23, 2010
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Any decent air cooler will cool better than an H50. Yo'l need to look at the programs you are using to see if spending money on a video card makes sense, make sure they can actually use the GPU without picking up a Quaddro/Firepro. Also compare their use of CUDA/OpenCL/OPENGL
 

SubtleTRex

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Good to know about the ability to overclock without water cooling. What cpu fans would you guys recommend then?

The programs that I use on a regular basis that will make most use of the GPU are Adobe Premiere / After Effects / Photoshop which are all OpenGL and then Solidworks for 3D modeling which is also OpenGL. However on the solidworks site they only list Quaddro and Firepro cards. Would any card that supports OpenGL be useful to me for this or should I start looking at Quaddro/Firepro cards?
 
Any card will work, and good gaming cards will work fairly well, but Quadro and Firepro are better optimized and will be better for the same amount of money. I believe Quadros are generally better, just by word of mouth, for the money (could be wrong).