3D and Video Rendering Rig: Need advice on Building

[Constantine7]

Hello,
I am an Animation and Special Effects for Digital Film student.. and-I am new to building my own setup and lite in pretty much overall hardware knowledge.. but after trying to render out particle effects with multiple lights and objects in Maya at a decent quality last semester I know its definitely time to invest in a decent rig.

Approximate Purchase Date: Within the next two weeks, with periodic upgrades)

Budget Range: <1400.. GPU gets priority..looking to budget where I can on the rest.

System Usage from Most to Least Important: I am searching for tips on how to efficiently build a rig aimed at optimizing working (high poly-modeling, expensive lighting and effects setup+settings, some animation) and rendering in (mainly) Maya 2012, Zbrush, and AfterEffects.
Games are not the goal.

Parts Not Required: Keyboard, mouse, Speakers, Wacom Cintiq Screen, Windows 7,
..On a student budget so I am looking to utilize what I can from my current basic desktop: a Dell Inspiron 560 with Intel Core 2 Duo E7500 @2x2.93GHZ, GeForce 8400 GS GPU, Intel ICH10R SATA AHCI Controller, 1TB Sata HD, 8GB DDR3 SDRAM, mini tower...

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: (newegg.com, no preference beyond price...)

Country: US

Parts Preferences: I aiming for a Nvidia Quadro..4000 GPU based on the forums I've scanned so far for my aims in working in the above mentioned programs.
That purchase may have to be put on short hold until I have the full funds, but would like to pay that extra for the long term benefits rather than settle for a 2000 (if that seems like a smart idea).
I am wondering if I purchase the other components.. an Intel core I5 or I7 CPU, The pieces required to double my ram, and a new tower+cooling system, what I should go for (on newegg..etc). to support that graphics card.

(I may be able to score an ok gaming graphics card from a friend on loan to help me out in the meantime till I can get that $740 4000 I see on newegg..)

Overclocking: No

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe...?

Monitor Resolution: My Wacom Cintiq is my main monitor.

Additional Comments: Sorry for any lack in specifics on the part descriptions. Any advice much appreciated!

 

[Proximon]

You do need a strong processor as well. You have laid out very clearly what you need I think.

RAM is fairly cheap now, and your current system is still capable for other uses so perhaps look at just paring it out. Obviously you need to keep that HDD as they are expensive currently.

Yes, forget the RAM. Likely to be higher voltage and not compatible, best kept with the old MB and CPU.

Start over, except for the HDD.

I enjoyed learning about the Cintiq.

You do not want to OC, so this should be fairly simple.

■ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM
■Rosewill CHALLENGER-U3 Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case ,comes with Three Fans-1x Front Blue LED 120mm Fan, 1x Top ...
■Rosewill CAPSTONE Series CAPSTONE-450 450W Continuous @ 50°C, 80 PLUS GOLD Certified, Single +12V Rail, ATX12V v2.31 / EPS12V ...
■G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-16GBXL
■ASUS P8H67-V (REV 3.0) LGA 1155 Intel H67 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS
■Intel Core i7-2600 Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2000 ...
■Codemasters Operation Flashpoint: Red River PC Game - Gift
■PNY VCQ4000-PB Quadro 4000 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Workstation Video Card
TOTAL: $1,384.93

 

[Proximon]

Note I chose the case for the front-mounted USB 3 which I felt was important. It's a good price for that feature, but perhpas there are better choices. You do not need a great deal of cooling.

The Rosewill PSU is very high quality. The best PSU available in that power range, which covers your needs. For others who may protest this is a Superflower built unit that is equal in quality to anything Seasonic might produce in that range.