Trying to put together my first computer build

jaqinthehat

Commendable
Mar 24, 2016
3
0
1,510
I am about to get my AA in digital art and animation (mainly 3D, VFX, and video editing) and my laptop is starting to run slower everyday. I realized I'm going to have to build my own set up. After days of research and putting together a build on pcpartpicker.com, I finally came up with something. But I would like some advice from someone more experienced than myself.

Here is what I came up with:

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Z99Yyc
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Z99Yyc/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i7-5820K 3.3GHz 6-Core Processor ($351.98 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Phanteks PH-TC14PE_BK 78.1 CFM CPU Cooler ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-X99-SLI ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard ($133.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Sandisk SSD PLUS 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($54.98 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Toshiba 4TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($139.99 @ Best Buy)
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 4GB Video Card ($549.99 @ Best Buy)
Case: NZXT Phantom 530 (White) ATX Full Tower Case ($114.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA P2 850W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($109.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG WH16NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($56.88 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro OEM (64-bit) ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Software: Microsoft Office 365 Personal (1 Year Subscription) ($58.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Software: Cyberlink PowerDVD 15 Ultra ($50.92 @ B&H)
Sound Card: HT Omega eClaro 24-bit 192 KHz Sound Card ($179.99 @ Newegg)
Wired Network Adapter: Intel EXPI9301CTBLK 10/100/1000 Mbps PCI-Express x1 Network Adapter ($27.99 @ Amazon)
Wireless Network Adapter: Asus PCE-N15 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($17.89 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: Cougar Vortex PWM 70.5 CFM 120mm Fan ($14.99 @ Amazon)
Monitor: Asus VN289H 60Hz 28.0" Monitor ($189.99 @ Newegg)
Speakers: Logitech Z313 25W 2.1ch Speakers ($37.99 @ Best Buy)
UPS: CyberPower CP1350AVRLCD UPS ($132.95 @ Amazon)
Other:
Total: $2484.45
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-03-24 15:03 EDT-0400


I need something that I can use for a while and can keep up with programs like Maya, ZBrush, and various Adobe software like Photoshop and After Effects. So rendering will happen quite a bit. I have never done this before so I want to make sure I am making the right decisions. Also, I feel like I might not realize I am missing something, like Blue Tooth capabilities, again I've never done this before. Any help is appreciated!
 

lodders

Admirable
Get 2x8GB memory, or better still 4x8GB.
Not sure if your software requires such an expensive GPU - some software does the rendering on the CPU.
Most motherboards have very good sound - try it before you spend $$$ on a sound card. Actually, only buy a sound card if you spent $1000 on your Audio system!
An IPS monitor is very expensive, but also very worth it!! I have a viewsonic VP2770. You may even want to get 2 monitors.
Your motherboard already has a wired network connection.
Do you really need a UPS? - I can't remember the last time I had a power outage.
 

jaqinthehat

Commendable
Mar 24, 2016
3
0
1,510


Thank you so much! This points me in such a good direction. I'm not completely blind it seems, but definitely lacking in vision.

Do you have a recommendation for how to pick the GPU or just a recommendation of which one to choose?

The money I'll save from downgrading the GPU and dropping the sound card & wired connection can be put towards upgrading the monitor(s). I know at some point I'll have 2 monitors, but for the time being I may just get the one.

The thing about the UPS is since November, there have been 3 major power outages where I am at (Southern California) and at least 2 of them have affected my house. Neither of those times I was at home working. But I'm wondering if I could just get away with a surge protector.

Again, thank you so much for the help!
 

lodders

Admirable
Surge protector is already built into your PSU, you don't need another one.
If you are worried about losing the data you are working on, get a UPS, but a power outage won't damage your PC because you have chosen a good quality PSU
Check out the hardware requirements for the software you want to run. A GTX950 may be all you need - IDK for sure.
 

jaqinthehat

Commendable
Mar 24, 2016
3
0
1,510
Ok I think I've made some progress. Sorry I may be going back and forth with you on this until I can really get it down. Just answer at your earliest convenience if possible. Again I really appreciate the guidance.

Here's what I've come up with:

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

CPU: Intel Core i7-5820K 3.3GHz 6-Core Processor ($351.98 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Phanteks PH-TC14PE_BK 78.1 CFM CPU Cooler ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-X99-SLI ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard ($133.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2666 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Sandisk SSD PLUS 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($54.98 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Toshiba 4TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($139.99 @ Best Buy)
Case: NZXT Phantom 530 (White) ATX Full Tower Case ($114.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA P2 850W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($109.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG WH16NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($54.99 @ Micro Center)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro OEM (64-bit) ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Software: Microsoft Office 365 Personal (1 Year Subscription) ($58.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Software: Cyberlink PowerDVD 15 Ultra ($50.92 @ B&H)
Wireless Network Adapter: Asus PCE-N15 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($17.89 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: Cougar Vortex PWM 70.5 CFM 120mm Fan ($14.99 @ Amazon)
Monitor: BenQ 60Hz 27.0" Monitor ($599.99 @ Amazon)
Speakers: Logitech Z313 25W 2.1ch Speakers ($37.99 @ Best Buy)
Other:
Total: $1991.64
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-03-24 16:48 EDT-0400

The GPU I need wasn't listed on pcpartpicker, but I found one at Fry's that is compatible with the software I will be using for about $270. So altogether it comes to around $2,200-$2,300, which is better than I originally thought and cheaper than my original post.

I was also curious as to if I need anything for Blue Tooth, I will probably end up getting a bluetooth mouse and keyboard. Other than that, I think I'm all set.