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First Build for an Architecture Student

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Approximate Purchase Date: This week

Budget Range: 800-1000 after rebates

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Rendering and architectural drawings etc

Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg or tigerdirect

Country: US

Overclocking: Maybe if it is needed?

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution: 1280x1024 May run dual Monitors down the road

Additional Comments:
Well this is my first build ever and I will be building this for school. Im an Architecture major and I need a good computer for school. I will not be doing any kind of gaming. This will be strickly used for rendering and cad work. The programs I use in order from most to least important are Rhino 4.0, AutoCAD, Photoshop and a few others. Right now Im using a Macbook and at times when Im running these programs at the same times it gets super hot and very slow. So with this build Im wanting something fast that can handle all the programs running at the same time and last me the next 3 years through grad school. I want to keep my budget at $1000 being the max I can spend. This is what I have came up with so far but am having a hard time picking out a motherboard and a video card due to my lack of knowledge with all this. Any help and opinions would be very appreciated. Please let me know if Im spending too much on something and I can put that money towards something else that would benefit me more. As well as better products for the money im spending.

Case:
Antec Eleven Hundred Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Motherboard:
ASUS P8Z68-V/GEN3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Processor:
Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Graphic Card
ASUS HD7770-2GD5 Radeon
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Power Supply
COOLER MASTER GX Series 650W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Memory
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Hardrives (Going to put OS and Programs on SSD and everything else on the HDD)
SSD: Crucial M4 CT128M4SSD2 2.5" 128gb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
HDD: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

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I'd say you've made a series of good decisions. You won't need that much wattage or that much graphics horsepower for a non-gaming rig (even with CAD) but it's always good to have room to maneuver

1. Overkill on the PSU. 450 or 500 W should be enough.
2. Mobo. You are spending too much on it. Get this one instead:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
3. Case. Unless you really like the look of the Antec, get this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
3. GPU. Using the money you saved, get a 7850 instead (which costs around $250). Here's a good one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...



fpoon said:
1. Overkill on the PSU. 450 or 500 W should be enough.
2. Mobo. You are spending too much on it. Get this one instead:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
3. Case. Unless you really like the look of the Antec, get this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
3. GPU. Using the money you saved, get a 7850 instead (which costs around $250). Here's a good one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...


Thanks Ill look for a 500w PSU. And the mobo you suggested is another I have been looking at it. There is 2 or 3 I have been trying to decide bewteen and that is one of them. Why do you suggest this one?
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This is one instance where I'd say hyperthreading and more RAM will actually be needed. I run programs like CAD and Revit all the time and they eat resources like crazy, hyperthreading will solve that problem. The PSU is fine, I wouldn't change it.

Try this build:

Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 - $59.99
PSU: Corsair Enthusiast Series TX650 V2 - $89.99 ($20.00 MIR)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-D3H - $144.99
CPU: 3.4Ghz Intel Core i7-3770 - $319.99
RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) - $98.99
HD: 1TB Samsung Spinpoint F3 - $109.99
Optical: Lite On Bulk DVD Burner - $17.99
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 6870 - $169.99 ($10.00 MIR)

Total: $1,022.89 - $30.00 MIR = $992.89

I know the video card is a bit on the slow side but it will handle multiple displays easily (and on a CAD build that's extremely important) and the extra RAM allows you to upgrade to 32GB if need be.

I think I have everything picked out and will get an updated list on here in a little bit. Just kinda stuck on the power supply between a 500 and 650...What will be the advantage to going 650?

Alright guys one more question. It was mentioned earlier that what I need this for hyper threading is needed. The i5 2600k doesn't support that so is the extra money on the i7 2600k worth it? If I could get a few opinions that would help alot as I feel it is very important part of my build

coltons09 said:
Alright guys one more question. It was mentioned earlier that what I need this for hyper threading is needed. The i5 2600k doesn't support that so is the extra money on the i7 2600k worth it? If I could get a few opinions that would help alot as I feel it is very important part of my build


The i5-2500K and i5-3570K don't support hyperthreading, but the i7-2600K and i7-3770K will, and for what you want it to do, it will be very important. It will essentially create four more virtual cores (for a total of 8 instead of four) and more threads will help speed up tasks greatly.

After taking some opinions and doing more research ( Iv only been researching for a week now) I changed it up a little bit and moved by budget too 1100. This is what I have came up with.

Case:
Antec Eleven Hundred Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811129178

Mobo:
AsRock z68 Extreme3 Gen 3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Video Card:
SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition 1GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

PSU:
Intel i7 2600k Sandy Bridge
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Power Supply:
Corsair TX650
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Ram:
G. Skills Ripjaws 16gb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

HDD: WD Caviar 1TB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

SSD: Crucial M4 CT128M4SSD2 2.5" 128gb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

DVD Drive:
Asus 24x DVD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

1. Is everything compatible?
2. Will this video card support 2 monitors and be ok? Or is there a better one for under $150? Or should I spend more on it? Keep in mind I will not be doing any gaming. Just renderings and CAD work.
3. Is there anything I could save money on that I do not need?

coltons09 said:
After taking some opinions and doing more research ( Iv only been researching for a week now) I changed it up a little bit and moved by budget too 1100. This is what I have came up with.

Case:
Antec Eleven Hundred Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811129178

Mobo:
AsRock z68 Extreme3 Gen 3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Video Card:
SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition 1GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

PSU:
Intel i7 2600k Sandy Bridge
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Power Supply:
Corsair TX650
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Ram:
G. Skills Ripjaws 16gb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

HDD: WD Caviar 1TB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

SSD: Crucial M4 CT128M4SSD2 2.5" 128gb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

DVD Drive:
Asus 24x DVD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

1. Is everything compatible?
2. Will this video card support 2 monitors and be ok? Or is there a better one for under $150? Or should I spend more on it? Keep in mind I will not be doing any gaming. Just renderings and CAD work.
3. Is there anything I could save money on that I do not need?


1. Yes
2. 7770 is about it for $150, although I would suggest a GTX460 or 6850 instead.
3. If you aren't doing heavy OC'ing, no need to get the Hyper 212.

The Mobo I have picked out only supports 3.0x16 and I dont think the ones you suggested are compatible with that? It might just be my lack of knowledge since Im new to all this. But, with this low of a video card handle what I need to? I just feel like it isnt up to par with the rest of my build and dont know If I should lower the cost on something else so I can spend more on a video card or If I will be fine with what I have picked out.

coltons09 said:
The Mobo I have picked out only supports 3.0x16 and I dont think the ones you suggested are compatible with that? It might just be my lack of knowledge since Im new to all this. But, with this low of a video card handle what I need to? I just feel like it isnt up to par with the rest of my build and dont know If I should lower the cost on something else so I can spend more on a video card or If I will be fine with what I have picked out.


PCIE 3.0 is backwards compatible. The 6870 is more powerful than the 7770.

To clarify, the four numbers in the Radeon model number go like this:
First number indicates series or generation. 7 is the newest
The next three are model numbers. Where 800-990 are the most powerful for enthusiasts and better for GPU heavy programs like games and rendering.
600-790 are for mainstream.
330-590 are budget cards.
Below is integrated graphics.

PCIe is forwards AND backwards compatible, any card that fits in a PCIe slot works.
A 7850 would be a much better choice than 7770, even though it costs $100 more.

Just when I thought I had It all figured out and ready to order I was told I could get the i7 3930k for $200 compared to $580 on Newegg. Im stuck on deciding which MOBO and PSU to go with my budget of $1200. So my question is with that high end of a CPU be ok for a build like this? If it is I need a good MOBO to go with it.
Heres my build as of now. I need help with MOBO and PSU!!!

Case:
Antec Eleven Hundred Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811129178

Mobo:
AsRock z68 Extreme3 Gen 3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813157271

Video Card:
SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 6870
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

PSU:
Intel i7 2600k Sandy Bridge
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115070

Power Supply:
Corsair TX650
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139020

Ram:
G. Skills Ripjaws 16gb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231486

HDD: WD Caviar 1TB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136533

SSD: Crucial M4 CT128M4SSD2 2.5" 128gb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820148442

DVD Drive:
Asus 24x DVD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827135204

Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835103065

The build looks great.

I seriously question the i7 3930 for $200. Unless its a close personal friend who is selling it to you, don't get it. It's not really a savings either, since you'll need to spend an extra $100 on the mobo if you get it.

coltons09 said:
Its not a friend selling it too me, Im buying it through where I work. I know 100% its new and never used. I just wonder if its too much for my build?


In that case, then it'll be better than the i7 2600. Again, the x79 mobo that it requires is at least $100 more expensive than the z68, so be aware of that. Also is a quad channel so you'll need 4 RAM sticks.

Example mobo:
AsRock Extreme 4 x79
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...


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