Need advice for a ~$1000 build for GIS/3D Modeling

arcablue

Honorable
Nov 14, 2012
2
0
10,510
Hello! I have absolutely no computer building knowledge, but I think I'll need to build a computer to get it to do what I need to do (below)... so I'm hoping some of you could help me?

Approximate Purchase Date: Before the end of the year- preferably whenever parts are on sale.

Budget Range: up to $1000 after rebates (but preferably less, ideally under 700$)

System Usage from Most to Least Important: modeling using ArcGIS, Photoshop/digital illustration, 3d Modeling/animation (Blender), word processing/internet, possibly gaming (but not critical)

Are you buying a monitor: Yes: planning on buying a Wacom Cintiq 24HD Interactive Pen Display and a second large-ish monitor (type not decided yet) (have other money set aside for this).

Do you need to buy OS: Yes- planning on Windows 8 (don't need to factor price into budget)

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: no preference, whatever you recommend!

Location: City, State/Region, Country: Chico, California, USA

Parts Preferences: no preference.

Overclocking: No?

SLI or Crossfire: No?

Your Monitor Resolution: no preference, probably as big as possible

Additional Comments: Quiet would be nice. Primary purpose is for art and GIS modeling with some gaming.

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: My current laptop is not capable of running GIS without freezing and the screen is just too small for illustration work (which is paying for my graduate studies), so I figured its time for an upgrade.

Thanks for any help!
 

excella1221

Honorable
Aug 23, 2012
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12,160
I would do something like this.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($199.98 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock 990FX Extreme3 ATX AM3+/AM3 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ Vertex 4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($103.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB Video Card ($234.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Antec Three Hundred Two ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($53.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $910.90
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-11-14 01:36 EST-0500)

7870 would be more than enough actuall for some gaming.

As for the monitor, you'll want an IPS for your system usage.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824116582&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=
 

cutebeans

Distinguished


So does that mean other AMD mobos only support up to 1333mhz?Sorry if it sounds stupid.
 

arcablue

Honorable
Nov 14, 2012
2
0
10,510
Thanks! Do I need to do anything special (second video card?) if I want to have a dual monitor set up with the cintiq tablet/monitor and the recommended monitor?