New AMD Budget CAD Workstation Build

thopkins808

Honorable
Dec 21, 2012
2
0
10,510
"New AMD Budget CAD Workstation Build for an architecture student"

Approximate Purchase Date: Before Feb. 2013

Budget Range: Hope to not push it to far past $1000 for the hardware. I'm a architecture student, so I'm looking for value, and expandability.

System Usage from Most to Least Important: 3D design work in Rhino V5, V-Ray rendering, Web-surfing, Other CAD work.

Are you buying a monitor: Not at this time, but I would like the capability to expand to 2-3 monitors with a Firepro gpu.

Parts to Upgrade:

All I currently have is a 500G HDD @5400 RPM, 8MB Cache, and 3.0Gb/s - Im thinking about adding a budget friendly SSD, any suggestions?

Im building my system around a AMD Firepro 5900 GPU @ $425. The Firepro is already going to use up a large portion of my budget, but a pro graphics card is important for the CAD work I'm going to be doing.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814195106

For the CPU a AMD FX-6300 Vishera 3.5GHz (4.1GHz Turbo) priced at $130 on amazon seems like a great value. Ive heard a lot of Intel fan-boys (I am one myself), but is it really worth the added cost? I'm willing to upgrade the CPU late.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113286

I want a motherboard that is easy to setup, and is as compatible with my system as possible. Two 16x pci-e would be nice for the possibility to run another Firepro card down the road, I don't know much about brands but here are two options that might work well.

GIGABYTE GA-990FXA-UD3 AM3+ AMD 990FX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard @ 145
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128514

ASUS SABERTOOTH 990FX R2.0 AM3+ AMD 990FX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard with UEFI BIOS @ 180. Are all the on-board temp sensors a good feature?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131877

Will 8Gb of memory be enough, could always expand to 16Gb if I needed it. Any good deals out there?

Dont know much about what PSU I'd want, the GPU runs off the motherboard power.

Looking for a minimalist case with minimal cost. Suggestions please.

Do you need to buy OS: Yes

I am considering Win8 64, but is Win7 64 still king? What is the cheapest way to get a licence?

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com, amazon prime

Location: Between San Luis Obispo, California and Oahu, Hawaii

Parts Preferences:

This is my first AMD system, seems like a better value. Really what it comes down to is real world performance and cost.

Overclocking: If I need it

SLI or Crossfire: Possibly later

Additional Comments: I want to build a tough system that I can expand on when I have the money

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: My current dell XPS laptop with a I7 2630QM @ 2GHz and Geforce GT 525M is not cutting it.

I haven't built a PC in a long time, but I'm trying to do my research. Any thoughtful advice would be appreciated!!! :hello:
 

HpProliantGuru

Honorable
Jan 25, 2013
1
0
10,510
Wow, this looks like you have done some digging.
If you are really interested I just picked up on sale and and deals from Christmas until now and just put together a machine that would suit your needs. I'm talking state of the art, rebates, discount codes...etc.
I was building this for myself to run Win Home server as a media station and I have decided to use a Synology 412+
I'll give you a deal on this.
A run down on the parts:
Case
Corsair Carbide Series 500R Black Steel structure with molded ABS plastic accent pieces ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
MotherBoard
ASUS P8Z77-V LK LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS
Proc:
Intel i5 3470 your upgrade path on this would be the intel i7 3770 when the price drops 100 bucks... NOT the 3770k or any letter after it.
RAM
G.SKILL Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866 (PC3 14900) Desktop Memory Model F3-14900CL9D-8GBSR
Power
CORSAIR TX Series CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V v2.3 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply
Boot Drive:
SanDisk Extreme SDSSDX-120G-G25 2.5" 120GB SATA III Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
Storage drive and Scratch disk:
Seagate Barracuda ST1000DM003 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

I have one of three video cards but I will have to look and see which would be best for you.

As far as an OS ... I'd say Win7Pro x64 is your best bet.

Let me know if you are interested :D

cforbus AT HpProliantGuru dot com

_______________________________________________________________________________

I'm building a new AMD Budget CAD Workstation and I have a lot of questions. Thanks for any help!
Approximate Purchase Date: Before Feb. 2013
Budget Range: Hope to not push it to far past $1000. I'm a architecture student, so I'm looking for value, and room for upgrades when I have the need.
System Usage from Most to Least Important: 3D design work in Rhino V5, V-Ray rendering, Web-surfing, Other CAD work.
Are you buying a monitor: Not at this time, but I would like the capability to expand to 2-3 monitors with a Firepro gpu.
Parts to Upgrade:
All I currently have is a 500Gb HDD @5400 RPM, 8MB Cache, and 3.0Gb/s. I'm thinking about adding a budget friendly SSD, any suggestions?
Im building my system around a AMD Firepro 5900 GPU @ $425. The Firepro is already going to use up a large portion of my budget, but a pro graphics card is important for the CAD work I'm going to be doing.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814195106
For the CPU a AMD FX-6300 Vishera 3.5GHz (4.1GHz Turbo) priced at $130 on amazon seems like a great value. I've heard a lot of Intel fan-boys (I am one myself), but is it really worth the added cost? I'm willing to upgrade the CPU late.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113286
I want a motherboard that is easy to setup, and is as compatible with my system as possible. Two 16x pci-e would be nice for the possibility to run another Firepro card down the road (crossfire), I don't know much about brands but here are two options that might work well?
GIGABYTE GA-990FXA-UD3 AM3+ AMD 990FX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard @ 145
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128514
ASUS SABERTOOTH 990FX R2.0 AM3+ AMD 990FX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard with UEFI BIOS @ 180. Are all the on-board temp sensors worth it?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131877
Will 8Gb of 1600 DDR3 memory (2x4Gb) be enough, could always expand to 16Gb if I needed it. Is ECC RAM (Error-Correcting Code Memory) important for the work I'm going to be doing? Any good deals out there?
Don't know much about PSUs, Wattage?, Brand?
The GPU runs off the motherboard power.
Looking for a minimalist case with minimal cost. Suggestions please.
Do you need to buy OS: Yes
I am considering Win8 64, but Win7 64 if its considerably cheaper. What is the cheapest way to get a licence?
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com, amazon prime
Location: Online. San Luis Obispo, California and Oahu, Hawaii
Parts Preferences:
This is my first AMD system, seems like a better value. But really what it comes down to is real world performance vs. cost.
Overclocking: If I need it
SLI or Crossfire: Possibly later
Additional Comments: I want to build a tough system that I can expand on when I have the money
And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: My current dell XPS laptop with a I7 2630QM @ 2GHz and Geforce GT 525M is just not cutting it.
I haven't built a PC in a long time, but I'm trying to do my research. Any thoughtful advice would be appreciated!!! :hello:
 

michxymi

Distinguished
Apr 11, 2011
788
0
19,060
Value case with USB III in front panel.

Xigmatek ASGARD PRO USB 3.0 CCC-AE37BS-U02 Black Steel + Aluminum and Aluminum Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811815014

80+ PSU from Antec.

Antec NEO ECO 520C 520W Continuous Power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371030

Go for 8320, it's the same chip with 8350 and you save some $.

AMD FX-8320 Vishera 3.5GHz (4.0GHz Turbo) Socket AM3+ 125W Eight-Core Desktop Processor FD8320FRHKBOX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113285

A motherboard with everything you'll need.

ASRock 970 EXTREME4 AM3+ AMD 970 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard with UEFI BIOS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157262

Fast 16GB Dual Channel memory.

G.SKILL Sniper Gaming Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866 (PC3 14900) Desktop Memory Model F3-1866C10D-16GSR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231611
For GPU I give a step down and go for V5800...around 100$ less without losing that much of perfomance.

ATI 100-505682 FirePro V5800 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 CrossFire Supported Workstation Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814195105

A value SSD

Kingston SSDNow V+200 KR-S3020-3H 2.5" 120GB SATA III Internal 7mm Solid State Drive (SSD) (Stand-alone Drive)

Optical Drive

SAMSUNG DVD Burner 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 24X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM SATA Model SH-224BB - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151256


SUM 967$. The only thing I would add, is a CPU cooler for keeping temperatures and noise levels low.
 

g-unit1111

Titan
Moderator


That build is a pretty good idea but stay away from low voltage RAM (G Skill Sniper) and if you're not overclocking you don't need a Z77 motherboard. Do not, repeat - do not purchase a case that cheap on a $1K build. It's not worth it even slightly. Spend a bit more and invest in something better.

I'd suggest something like this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-3770 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($299.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock H77 Pro4/MVP ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($87.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ Vertex 4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($209.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($80.00 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 620W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($85.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $980.48
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-25 13:51 EST-0500)
 

TRENDING THREADS