Need help setting up workstation for 3d design and animation

[BlaneTheMono]

I'm looking to get into 3d design and animation, and i have to upgrade some components of my computer first.
The programs i'm going to be mainly using are Autodesk 3DS Max 2012 and the Adobe CS5 suite.
My computer is a Compaq Presario SR5034X Desktop that i got a few years ago:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00883090&tmp_task=prodinfoCategory&cc=us&dlc=en&lang=en&lc=en&product=3377254



My current SPECS:

OS: Windows Vista 32 bit


Motherboard:
P5LP-LE (Leonite), Max FSB speed: 1066 MHz, CPU Socket type: 775
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00864946&tmp_task=prodinfoCategory&cc=us&dlc=en&lang=en&lc=en&product=3377254#N276


Graphics: Integrated graphics using Intel GMA 950
http://www.intel.com/products/chipsets/gma950/


CPU:
Intel Pentium D 925, 3.00GHZ, FSB speed: 800 MHz, PLGA775 socket type
http://ark.intel.com/products/27517/Intel-Pentium-D-Processor-925-(4M-Cache-3_00-GHz-800-MHz-FSB)

RAM: 3GB (upgraded from 1GB)


PSU: 300 watts (upgraded from 250 watts)



My budget is currently around $650.
What upgrades will i need to be able to run 3DS Max and Adobe CS5?

Also, is it true that a "workstation" card is better than a regular gaming graphics card when it comes to 3D design and animation?


Thanks

 

[alyoshka]

I would suggest, don't upgrade the whole rig for the time being.
Just use a little money from your budget and get the AMD FirePro or Nvidia Quadro Card.
Use it on that rig itself. You will be able to use it pretty well for those applications for another year with one of these cards. And it'll make the rig a lot more fast. Get used to those cards first see how they help you out and if you feel you need to go higher with the specs we could suggest a nice not too expensive upgrade later.

Later on. Go for a good system with a 64Bit OS and a minimum or 8 GB DDR3 RAM.

Here is a list of the cards that will be compatible with your present mobo and available on newegg.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100008333%20600044676&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&Order=PRICE&PageSize=20

 

[BlaneTheMono]

Best answer selected by BlaneTheMono.