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Building an entry/mid-level workstation (advice appreciated!)

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  • Workstations
  • Systems
  • New Build
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October 14, 2014 6:42:15 PM

Hi all, I'm building my first ever computer (!) and I've picked out some parts that I think would work well for a workstation-y desktop.

I do a lot of video / photo editing and I'm currently learning Zbrush and Autodesk Maya, but I don't really play video games (which is why I'm looking at a Quadro card). I also produce music in Ableton Live / Pro Tools.

Here's what I've got:

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Gjbcyc
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Gjbcyc/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.99 @ Micro Center)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B85M-HD3 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($70.97 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($71.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($109.99 @ Micro Center)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($38.98 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Rosewill Capstone 550W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Pioneer BDR-209DBK Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($54.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Sound Card: Asus Xonar DGX 24-bit 96 KHz Sound Card ($27.99 @ NCIX US)
Wireless Network Adapter: Rosewill RNX-N150UBE 802.11b/g/n USB 2.0 Wi-Fi Adapter ($8.99 @ Amazon)
Keyboard: Logitech K360 Wireless Mini Keyboard ($19.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $822.84
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-14 21:37 EDT-0400

For some reason, PCPartPicker doesn't have the NVIDIA Quadro K620 in the system, which is what I'm planning on buying GPU-wise.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Any advice regarding this build would be highly appreciated! Thanks.

More about : building entry mid level workstation advice appreciated

October 14, 2014 6:52:18 PM

I would probably do one of two things with the CPU, your CPU choice supports overclocking, but the motherboard chipsets (if Intel hasn't changed their prefixes on their chipsets since I was last involved heavily in the PC world) does not. So, you could either go with a non-K CPU, drop the Evo cooler (since you won't be overclocking) or spend more on a board that supports overclocking. Generally professional grade computers are not overclocked. They can be, but the industry just typically doesn't do it. Risks are lower than they've ever been, but oldheads still hang on to the philosophy that the benefits of stability and reliability are more of a priority than the added performance.


For memory, I would probably add a 2nd 8GB stick, (get a kit of 2 8GB sticks) if you're doing video/photo editing, the extra RAM will be good to have.

Why a wireless adapter on a desktop? You can do it I guess, but you're wired down for everything else with a desktop, wired connections are typically faster and more reliable.

Keyboard? Eh, I like nice keyboards on my desktop, go with what you feel, but I'd suggest the Microsoft Ergonomic 4000s, they're pretty nice, I had one for nearly 5 years before I went with a SteelSeries Merc Stealth for gaming I got on closeout from walmart. If you're doing work station-y stuff, I just couldn't see a "mini keyboard" being that practical.
October 14, 2014 6:57:44 PM

Wireless network adapters are nice because you cannot always wire 100ft or so to a router. Anyways, I would get a non-k CPU since you probably don't want to overclock anyways for your first build, and drop the fan (as stated above).
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October 14, 2014 7:03:08 PM

turkey3_scratch said:
Wireless network adapters are nice because you cannot always wire 100ft or so to a router. Anyways, I would get a non-k CPU since you probably don't want to overclock anyways for your first build, and drop the fan (as stated above).


I guess I'm the exception, the place I lived in 2007-2010, I ran a wire out the window to the first floor so my roommate could connect to our router, and 2010-2014 we drilled holes in the house to run the ethernet, my apartment now, fortunately the place I wanted my desk has the cable connection already drilled through the window about a foot and a half from where my modem sits on the desk. Wired connections are just nice to have I feel for a desktop, if you want portability, I say thats where laptops come in, my opinion is a desktop is a semi-permanent installation, the added benefits being better performing hardware at cheaper prices, more reliable connections (no interference that Wi-Fi can be prone to), etc. IMHO anyway.
October 14, 2014 7:03:33 PM

Thanks to both of you! I've switched out to a 4690, dropped the EVO, and I will look into a nicer keyboard / more RAM!
!