Need help on build for coworker

[g-unit1111]

So last week one of my coworkers was asking me for advice on PCs (non gaming - for use with CAD and rendering programs) and he was originally interested in an off-the-shelf PC and I told him to build his own and that we could help him through it. So with that in mind I've come up with a couple of builds below and wanted some feedback. I've already helped a couple of my coworkers build PCs in the past and that's why he wanted my feedback.


Approximate Purchase Date: e.g.: Within the next two weeks

Budget Range: Minimum $750, willing to go max $950

Location: Orange, CA

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Mainly Autodesk CAD and rendering programs like Maya, Revit, AutoCAD 2014, etc etc

Are you buying a monitor: No

Parts to Upgrade: Fresh build - only needs tower

Parts not required: Monitor, keyboard, mouse

Do you need to buy OS: Yes

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Any USA-based website

Parts Preferences: by brand or type (e.g.: I would like to upgrade to Intel CPU)

Overclocking: No

SLI or Crossfire: No

Your Monitor Resolution: 1920 x 1080

Additional Comments: Willing to use either Intel or AMD if the budget allows

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: Old laptop is on its' last legs

So here's the builds I had in mind.

AMD build:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($152.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($30.98 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock 970 EXTREME4 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($99.49 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($76.28 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.89 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($57.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card ($159.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12G 550W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($80.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($23.52 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($84.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $917.09
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-07 12:58 EST-0500)

We have access to a Micro Center and he's willing to go there to save money on the CPU.

Intel build:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4430 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($184.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H87-D3H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($94.24 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($76.28 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.89 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($57.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card ($159.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12G 550W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($80.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($23.52 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($84.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $912.85
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-07 12:57 EST-0500)

 

[mastrom101]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($129.99)
CPU Cooler: Antec KUHLER H2O 650 Liquid CPU Cooler ($59.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: Asus M5A99FX PRO R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($139.00 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.89 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($57.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card ($149.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($84.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $931.79
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-07 17:51 EST-0500)

I like your build, but if would make a few minor tweaks.

 

[bigshootr8]

Curious have you thought about workstation cards through the process or just general consumer cards?

Looking through the recommended cards for CAD.

For example the Amd Firepro V4900
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA0ZX1BK4630

Official cad recommendations
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/syscert?siteID=123112&id=18844534&results=1&stype=graphic&suite_group=121&release=2014&edition=2&os=8192&manuf=all&opt=1
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/syscert/card?siteID=123112&catID=18254205&id=18844534&suite=1212014200&os=8192&hw=255

 

[g-unit1111]

Curious have you thought about workstation cards through the process or just general consumer cards?

Looking through the recommended cards for CAD.

For example the Amd Firepro V4900
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA0ZX1BK4630

Official cad recommendations
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/syscert?siteID=123112&id=18844534&results=1&stype=graphic&suite_group=121&release=2014&edition=2&os=8192&manuf=all&opt=1
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/syscert/card?siteID=123112&catID=18254205&id=18844534&suite=1212014200&os=8192&hw=255

A lot of the older Fire Pros are several years old and based on way old and out of date platforms. I would take a 750TI over an older 4900 any day of the week. I use a GTX 660 on my CAD rig and it works just fine.

I like your build, but if would make a few minor tweaks.

I will not build a build with a Corsair Builder series. Sorry but I've seen these PSUs fail on me way too many times, no way will I buy one ever again. I'll stick with the lower end Seasonic units. And the Antec Kuhlers are terrible units from the reviews I've read on Tom's and elsewhere. I would not trust a build to one of those, there's better liquid coolers out there.

 

[bigshootr8]

Curious have you thought about workstation cards through the process or just general consumer cards?

Looking through the recommended cards for CAD.

For example the Amd Firepro V4900
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA0ZX1BK4630

Official cad recommendations
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/syscert?siteID=123112&id=18844534&results=1&stype=graphic&suite_group=121&release=2014&edition=2&os=8192&manuf=all&opt=1
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/syscert/card?siteID=123112&catID=18254205&id=18844534&suite=1212014200&os=8192&hw=255

A lot of the older Fire Pros are several years old and based on way old and out of date platforms. I would take a 750TI over an older 4900 any day of the week. I use a GTX 660 on my CAD rig and it works just fine.

I like your build, but if would make a few minor tweaks.

I will not build a build with a Corsair Builder series. Sorry but I've seen these PSUs fail on me way too many times, no way will I buy one ever again. I'll stick with the lower end Seasonic units. And the Antec Kuhlers are terrible units from the reviews I've read on Tom's and elsewhere. I would not trust a build to one of those, there's better liquid coolers out there.

Was just a thought really. I thought that by doing to the manufacture they would have a better idea of what would work with AUTOCAD. Now I know that Linus had done a build guide recently within the last 6 months or so if I recall for professional editing/cad work. He went into certain things can only be handled really by certain GPU's it sounded like however if things are noticeably increased with a modern consumer card then who am I to judge.


In terms of power supplies with a mass produced product I'm sure you will find that to be a common case. And with a unit that is of the lower end its probably more common for that to happen especially with something like the builder series. I use a builder series 430M on my office machine and it works great. Although that being said I only have a APU connected to it just enough to use the computer more then anything. A XFX PSU is Seasonic OEM. as well why not save some money on the build by not spending 70-100 dollars on a lower end Seasonic PSU.

In terms of water coolers I find it not very appealing at the moment to purchase things from Antec. So from that standpoint I would go with the other brands that are doing well right now your NZXT and your Corsair.

 

[mastrom101]

Fair enough, it's a solid build.

 

[g-unit1111]

In terms of power supplies with a mass produced product I'm sure you will find that to be a common case. And with a unit that is of the lower end its probably more common for that to happen especially with something like the builder series. I use a builder series 430M on my office machine and it works great. Although that being said I only have a APU connected to it just enough to use the computer more then anything. A XFX PSU is Seasonic OEM. as well why not save some money on the build by not spending 70-100 dollars on a lower end Seasonic PSU.

Yeah true the G series are a bit overpriced, but they're one of the few "Haswell ready" units. The Pro series are a somewhat older design. It'll work fine for an AMD rig.

In terms of water coolers I find it not very appealing at the moment to purchase things from Antec. So from that standpoint I would go with the other brands that are doing well right now your NZXT and your Corsair.

Then why recommend it? Price?

 

[bigshootr8]

In terms of power supplies with a mass produced product I'm sure you will find that to be a common case. And with a unit that is of the lower end its probably more common for that to happen especially with something like the builder series. I use a builder series 430M on my office machine and it works great. Although that being said I only have a APU connected to it just enough to use the computer more then anything. A XFX PSU is Seasonic OEM. as well why not save some money on the build by not spending 70-100 dollars on a lower end Seasonic PSU.

Yeah true the G series are a bit overpriced, but they're one of the few "Haswell ready" units. The Pro series are a somewhat older design. It'll work fine for an AMD rig.

In terms of water coolers I find it not very appealing at the moment to purchase things from Antec. So from that standpoint I would go with the other brands that are doing well right now your NZXT and your Corsair.

Then why recommend it? Price?

For a CAD rig I'm not so sure that having a thing like a h80i or a h100i is probably appropriate anyway. I was just noting that due to the Brand that I would stay clear personally I don't really care much for a cooler that has fans you can't really change out. I think your initial builds with the EVO are more then sufficient.