I know relatively little about computer hardware, so I'm definitely open to all suggestions and really appreciate any help I can get. I've been burned before by my own oversights when picking hardware for 3D applications, so I'm pretty nervous about putting together my own build again.
I also have pretty much no idea how to pick out a PSU, case, or cooling methods, so that will probably be where I need the most help.
I did read the "Guide To Choosing Parts" but I wanted to see if I can get some more insight since my needs are pretty particular.
Approx Purchase Date: 1-2 months
Budget Range: $1500-$2500. Lower is better, but I am willing to pay for significant performance gains and/or "future proofing."
System Usage: Pretty much 100% dedicated to CG work. I will primarily be running Mari, Mudbox, Maya, V-Ray, Nuke and Photoshop. No gaming.
Country: US
Preferred Website for Parts: newegg.com, any other reputable online source, prefer Fry's if buying parts in person (not sure why I'd have to do this, just throwing it out there.)
SLI or Crossfire: Maybe. I wouldn't mind having this option in the future, but I have no plans to buy two video cards right now, so it's not a deal breaker.
Overclocking: Probably not (not opposed to it, I'm just lazy and not experienced with it.)
Monitor Resolution 1920x1080
Parts Not Required: mouse, keyboard, speakers, monitor
Parts Preference:
Video Card -
PNY VCQ4000-PB Quadro 4000 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Workstation Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133324
The reason that I'm leaning heavily towards this card is because it's important to me that I can run Mari smoothly. You can see the system requirements here. I compared these cards to the certified video cards for Maya/Mudbox and I believe that rules out the GeForce cards, leaving me with only the Quadro Fermi series cards. Since the 600 only has 1G of memory, I thought I'd go with the 4000. The 5000 quickly eats up most of my budget.
CPU/Processor
I have always had AMD processors in the past (for no particular reason) and would like to try an Intel processor for this build (also for no particular reason.)
I want at least 4 cores, but would consider paying for 6 if it's worth it.
I was looking at the i7-2700k, but I'm not familiar with the intricacies of 1155 vs 2011 vs 1366, so I'm open to suggestions. I read a couple places that Sandy Bridge actually isn't preferable for someone who isn't doing gaming and is doing CG work, why is this?
Additional Thoughts:
I'm basically building this workstation around the video card, since it was (arguably) the most important component for me.
Clearly, the more RAM the better, so my initial goal is 16G+. Mari needs a ton of space for cache files (easily 300G+) so I thought that I would go with a small SSD for the OS (and maybe some other things?) and a large HDD for everything else. Not sure if there's anything I should know about picking these components beyond what was in the "Guide to Choosing Parts"
I would like to have money left over for
- a second monitor (1920x1080, doesn't have to be top quality, so let's say ~$200)
- a new tablet (most likely an Intuos 4 Medium, so ~$350)
- a blu ray drive (~$100)
So I think that leaves me with ~$1100 after buying the Quadro 4000 (if I actually spend $2500.)
I have and might be able to re-use...
Thermaltake Armor Series VA8000BWS Black Aluminum / Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133154
My current desktop is in this case, I can definitely gut it and use it for the new build if it's suitable.
RAIDMAX AURORA 2 RX-700F 700W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817152037
This is the PSU in my current desktop. I started to read up about choosing a PSU, but picking one seems intimidating. Any thoughts on reusing this or what I should get instead?
I've been (and will continue to) read up a lot on various parts, but I don't have a ton of free time and there's SO MUCH to consider, so... any help is greatly appreciated!
I also have pretty much no idea how to pick out a PSU, case, or cooling methods, so that will probably be where I need the most help.
I did read the "Guide To Choosing Parts" but I wanted to see if I can get some more insight since my needs are pretty particular.
Approx Purchase Date: 1-2 months
Budget Range: $1500-$2500. Lower is better, but I am willing to pay for significant performance gains and/or "future proofing."
System Usage: Pretty much 100% dedicated to CG work. I will primarily be running Mari, Mudbox, Maya, V-Ray, Nuke and Photoshop. No gaming.
Country: US
Preferred Website for Parts: newegg.com, any other reputable online source, prefer Fry's if buying parts in person (not sure why I'd have to do this, just throwing it out there.)
SLI or Crossfire: Maybe. I wouldn't mind having this option in the future, but I have no plans to buy two video cards right now, so it's not a deal breaker.
Overclocking: Probably not (not opposed to it, I'm just lazy and not experienced with it.)
Monitor Resolution 1920x1080
Parts Not Required: mouse, keyboard, speakers, monitor
Parts Preference:
Video Card -
PNY VCQ4000-PB Quadro 4000 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Workstation Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133324
The reason that I'm leaning heavily towards this card is because it's important to me that I can run Mari smoothly. You can see the system requirements here. I compared these cards to the certified video cards for Maya/Mudbox and I believe that rules out the GeForce cards, leaving me with only the Quadro Fermi series cards. Since the 600 only has 1G of memory, I thought I'd go with the 4000. The 5000 quickly eats up most of my budget.
CPU/Processor
I have always had AMD processors in the past (for no particular reason) and would like to try an Intel processor for this build (also for no particular reason.)
I want at least 4 cores, but would consider paying for 6 if it's worth it.
I was looking at the i7-2700k, but I'm not familiar with the intricacies of 1155 vs 2011 vs 1366, so I'm open to suggestions. I read a couple places that Sandy Bridge actually isn't preferable for someone who isn't doing gaming and is doing CG work, why is this?
Additional Thoughts:
I'm basically building this workstation around the video card, since it was (arguably) the most important component for me.
Clearly, the more RAM the better, so my initial goal is 16G+. Mari needs a ton of space for cache files (easily 300G+) so I thought that I would go with a small SSD for the OS (and maybe some other things?) and a large HDD for everything else. Not sure if there's anything I should know about picking these components beyond what was in the "Guide to Choosing Parts"
I would like to have money left over for
- a second monitor (1920x1080, doesn't have to be top quality, so let's say ~$200)
- a new tablet (most likely an Intuos 4 Medium, so ~$350)
- a blu ray drive (~$100)
So I think that leaves me with ~$1100 after buying the Quadro 4000 (if I actually spend $2500.)
I have and might be able to re-use...
Thermaltake Armor Series VA8000BWS Black Aluminum / Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133154
My current desktop is in this case, I can definitely gut it and use it for the new build if it's suitable.
RAIDMAX AURORA 2 RX-700F 700W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817152037
This is the PSU in my current desktop. I started to read up about choosing a PSU, but picking one seems intimidating. Any thoughts on reusing this or what I should get instead?
I've been (and will continue to) read up a lot on various parts, but I don't have a ton of free time and there's SO MUCH to consider, so... any help is greatly appreciated!
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