Updating My Build..any tips?

[borco]

Hey everyone, this is my build from late 2008. Both of my hard drives are failing now and Seagate is replacing them. I figure while I'm replacing them, I might as well see if anything else needs replacing. Now that it's been a few years, do you guys see anything that might be a bit out of date?

I primarily use Maya 2011 and Photoshop CS5 on my computer. Generally I'd like better playback in Maya when I watch my animations and faster playblasting.

CPU: Intel Quad Core Q6600 2.4GHz
MB: Gigabyte GA-EP35
Memory: G.Skill 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 (used to have Crucial Ballistix but was getting a lot of problems with them)
GPU: ATI Radeon HD 4850 512MB
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200 500GB x2
PSU: Corsair CMPSU-450VX 450W
Case: Cooler Master CM 690
OS: Win 7 64-bit

Any help is appreciated, thanks!

 

[g-unit1111]

I take it this isn't a gaming build, correct?

If so you might want to think about upgrading your motherboard and CPU to something more current. Either an Asus P8B or a Gigabyte Z68XP-UD3P paired with either a Xeon E3-1250 or an i7-2600K.

You also might want to update your PSU accordingly especially if you plan to use a new video card at any point.

You can certainly reuse your HD, video card, case, and OS for now.

 

[borco]

I take it this isn't a gaming build, correct?

If so you might want to think about upgrading your motherboard and CPU to something more current. Either an Asus P8B or a Gigabyte Z68XP-UD3P paired with either a Xeon E3-1250 or an i7-2600K.

You also might want to update your PSU accordingly especially if you plan to use a new video card at any point.

You can certainly reuse your HD, video card, case, and OS for now.

Thanks for the suggestions. Yeah I'm not a gamer, I only use this computer for video editing, 3D modeling in Zbrush and animation in Maya. Do you think the i7-2600k is a big step up from the i5-2500k?

 

[g-unit1111]

Thanks for the suggestions. Yeah I'm not a gamer, I only use this computer for video editing, 3D modeling in Zbrush and animation in Maya. Do you think the i7-2600k is a big step up from the i5-2500k?

For what you will need it to do it certainly is. The 2600K handles hyper threading better than the 2500K does. For multi-threaded apps like CS5 and Maya that will definitely work to your advantage.

Alternately - you could use a workstation-specific CPU like the Xeon E3-1245 that I mentioned earlier: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115086

 

[geofelt]

If you want to update something now, consider a SSD for the os and some apps.

Since your build is from 2008, I would consider waiting for april and ivy bridge.
Yes, the 2600K, particularly when overclocked will be a massive improvement. But ivy bridge 22nm will be faster and cooler yet. Normally, the price points will be the same, but youw ill get perhaps 10% more for your money.

 

[g-unit1111]

If you want to update something now, consider a SSD for the os and some apps.

Since your build is from 2008, I would consider waiting for april and ivy bridge.
Yes, the 2600K, particularly when overclocked will be a massive improvement. But ivy bridge 22nm will be faster and cooler yet. Normally, the price points will be the same, but youw ill get perhaps 10% more for your money.

Why wait for Ivy though when you can get a Xeon now and it will be tailor-made for workstation apps like the OP needs?

 

[borco]

Thanks for the comments guys. I'll have to do some more research before I buy anything, but thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

 

[blackmancer]

SSD SSD SSD SSD SSD SSD SSD SSD SSD SSD SSD SSD SSD SSD SSD

I think you should get an SSD or better 2 and Raid0 them. you will love yourself much having cut down all that waiting in Maya and Photoshop

Just the SSD will make a noticeable difference. Otherwise you gotta basically build a new machine (cpu,mobo,ram,psu and then vga while ur at it)

 

[borco]

SSD SSD SSD SSD SSD SSD SSD SSD SSD SSD SSD SSD SSD SSD SSD

I think you should get an SSD or better 2 and Raid0 them. you will love yourself much having cut down all that waiting in Maya and Photoshop

Just the SSD will make a noticeable difference. Otherwise you gotta basically build a new machine (cpu,mobo,ram,psu and then vga while ur at it)

For an SSD, how large would I need to go? Would a 32GB one be good enough for the OS, Maya, and CS5? Haven't had an SSD before.
Any that you recommend?

 

[Pezcore27]

do the crucial m4 64gig one SSD:

Crucial M4 CT064M4SSD2 2.5" 64GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148441

 

[geofelt]

For an SSD, how large would I need to go? Would a 32GB one be good enough for the OS, Maya, and CS5? Haven't had an SSD before.
Any that you recommend?

I don't know how much space maya and cs5 take. The os and a bit will fit on a 40gb ssd, but I really think 60gb would be the minimum.