First Time Builder seeking advice for 3D Modeling Build under 2,000

general_lee12

Commendable
Jan 12, 2017
1
0
1,510
Systems

First Time Builder seeking advice for 3D Modeling Build under 2,000

Hello all,
To give some quick background on my situation, I work as a Mechanical Engineer but I am also someone who also enjoys gaming (currently on a PS4). The only computer I currently own is a Sony Vaio Laptop circa 2008 which surprisingly still works for my basic computer needs (Microsoft office, email, web browsing, etc…), but I am looking to build a new computer that will allow me to improve upon my skillset for my job by learning and experimenting with some new programs.

Approximate Purchase Date: e.g.: February 2017

Budget Range: Trying to stay less than $2000 including monitor, mouse, keyboard, Windows 10, Microsoft Office, and a security package

System Usage from Most to Least Important: 3D modeling (Solidworks, Inventor, or similar), Finite Element Analysis (ANSYS or similar), Computational Fluid Dynamics (Autodesk CFD or similar), Productivity (Microsoft Office), Gaming (prefer to have a system that can run the latest and greatest games, but I think that the 3D modeling needs will cover this), Web-browsing.

Are you buying a monitor: Yes, I would eventually like dual displays but likely starting with only 1.

Do you need to buy OS: Yes

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Driven by cost, but Amazon is preferred due to free shipping with Prime membership. I would like to limit the number of sites used to save on shipping, if possible.

Location: Pittsburgh, PA

Parts Preferences: Not a clue. I think I want to stay Intel, but I don’t really know.

Overclocking: Maybe? I don’t know much about this

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe? I don’t know anything about this

Your Monitor Resolution: Probably 1920x1080 or similar.

General Comments: I am not really concerned with the cost of the OS, Mouse, Keyboard, Monitor(s), or Microsoft Office Suite. I will take any comments on any and all hardware as well as recommended security systems. I am technically minded and I like to think I am decent at working with computers, but this whole hardware side of the computer world is new to me so please don’t be too hard on me if I am doing something really stupid.

Below is my preliminary parts list from PCPP. I put this together based on “recommended” hardware lists provided by solid works, inventor, and some of the other programs listed above. The only future expansions I really forsee would be potentially doubling the RAM from 32 to 64 (which I think I could simply order another 4x of matching RAM but I am seeking confirmation on this) and adding another HDD for storage (which I attempted to size the MoBo and Case for)

Something I am admittedly a little confused by is that I have read that 3D modeling programs prefer less cores but the simulation/rendering programs seem to prefer more cores. I attempted to find a processor that sounds like it can handle both situations fairly well without spending a boatload of money, but having never done this before, I would appreciate any comments you are willing to share.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-5820K 3.3GHz 6-Core Processor ($368.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($27.88 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock X99 Extreme4 ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard ($189.88 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($204.97 @ Jet)
Storage: Samsung 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($81.71 @ Jet)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.66 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6GB Mini Video Card ($249.00 @ Amazon)
Case: Cougar MX300 ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA BQ 650W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($61.89 @ OutletPC)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSC0B DVD/CD Writer ($16.88 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Pro OEM 64-bit ($120.00 @ Amazon)
Software: Microsoft Office Home and Student 2016 Software ($118.98 @ Amazon)
Software: Kaspersky Total Security (1 Year Subscription) - 3 Devices Software ($49.99)
Wireless Network Adapter: SIIG CN-WR0811-S1 PCI-Express x1 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi Adapter ($21.94 @ Amazon)
Case Fan: Corsair CO-9050016-RLED 52.2 CFM 120mm Fan ($18.39 @ Amazon)
Case Fan: Rosewill ROCF-13001 38.2 CFM 120mm Fan ($14.99 @ Amazon)
Monitor: Asus VS247H-P 23.6" 1920x1080 Monitor ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Keyboard: SteelSeries SteelSeries Apex 300 Keyboard Wired Standard Keyboard ($61.99 @ Amazon)
Mouse: Logitech G400s Wired Optical Mouse ($90.99 @ Amazon)
Other: Rosewill RDCR-11004 - Data Hub for 5.25" Drive Bays - Two USB 3.0 ($27.99)
Other: JBtek All Black Sleeved PWM Fan Splitter Cable 1 to 2 Converter ($6.99 @ Amazon)
Other: Belkin 36-Piece Demagnetized Computer Tool Kit with Case (Black) ($30.35 @ Amazon)
Total: $1983.44
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-01-12 11:18 EST-0500

Thank you in advance for any and all help,
Lee

PS If I didn't put this in the correct section of the forum please let me know and I will move it accordingly

 

logainofhades

Titan
Moderator
That PSU is not a very good one, the cooler is a bit weak, for a 6 core CPU. Crucial MX300 has a bit more storage, and in real world usage, no noticeable performance difference. Gigabyte has a better wifi card, for not much more. That build must have included mail in rebate, because it was over $2k, when I clicked on it. Just go with Avast free, for your antivirus. Made a few changes, and got you a faster graphics card. I noticed you wanted red fans, so I added those in as well.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-5820K 3.3GHz 6-Core Processor ($368.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG R1 Ultimate 76.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($89.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock X99 Extreme4 ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard ($189.88 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4-2666 Memory ($175.99 @ Jet)
Storage: Crucial MX300 275GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($84.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Toshiba Product Series:DT01ACA 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($46.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 8GB SC GAMING ACX 3.0 Black Edition Video Card ($389.99 @ B&H)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 650W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($75.39 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSC0B DVD/CD Writer ($16.88 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($87.71 @ Amazon)
Software: Microsoft Office Home and Student 2016 Software ($118.98 @ Amazon)
Wireless Network Adapter: Gigabyte GC-WB867D-I REV 4.2 PCI-Express x1 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi Adapter ($29.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case Fan: Cooler Master Megaflow 110.0 CFM 200mm Fan ($11.99 @ NCIX US)
Case Fan: Cooler Master Megaflow 110.0 CFM 200mm Fan ($11.99 @ NCIX US)
Case Fan: Corsair Air Series AF140 Red 66.4 CFM 140mm Fan ($12.88 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Asus VS247H-P 23.6" 1920x1080 Monitor ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Cooler Master Devastator II Wired Gaming Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($28.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Other: Belkin 36-Piece Demagnetized Computer Tool Kit with Case (Black) ($39.45 @ Amazon)
Total: $1990.85
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-01-12 15:59 EST-0500





 
The 5820k is over 2 years old now and a modern quad core like the 7700k would be similarly good in the heavily multithreaded stuff but much (around 30%) better in the single threaded stuff. It also makes the build cheaper.

https://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Core+i7-5820K+%40+3.30GHz
http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Core+i7-7700K+%40+4.20GHz

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-7700K 4.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($349.75 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D15 82.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($85.88 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z270M-D3H Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($123.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($169.99 @ Jet)
Storage: Samsung 960 Evo 250GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($129.99 @ B&H)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.66 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 1070 8GB Video Card ($429.58 @ Amazon)
Case: Fractal Design Define Mini C MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($74.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA P2 650W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($105.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($90.72 @ B&H)
Case Fan: Noctua NF-P14s redux-900 49.3 CFM 140mm Fan ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: Noctua NF-P14s redux-900 49.3 CFM 140mm Fan ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: Noctua NF-S12B redux-700 33.5 CFM 120mm Fan ($16.88 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Asus VX24AH 24.0" 2560x1440 60Hz Monitor ($224.62 @ Amazon)
Total: $1888.01
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-01-13 03:23 EST-0500

That also gets you a much better GPU capable of 1440P gaming, a 1440P monitor, should be extremely quiet as well with those cooling upgrades. You can just use the fans included with the case instead if you're not bothered about quietness. That SSD is 6x faster than a SATA SSD in theory as well, it may need dedicated cooling of some kind to fully make the most of that performance though.

EDIT: Regarding the RAM, if the board has enough slots you can simply add more but it is recommended to buy exactly the same stuff and run it at the standard 2133Mhz regardless of the speed it is capable of for compatibility/stability.

With the security software, I'm skeptical about paid software personally. Regardless of how much you pay you can still get malware if you download the wrong stuff so I'd just use free software like Windows Defender (built into Win 10) and Malwarebytes and just learn the right habits. I haven't had any malware for years and I've always used free software.

Have you considered open source office software such as Libre Office or Open Office as well? Similar to MS Office and legally free.

FYI the builds all 3 of us suggested support overclocking and multiple monitors. I wouldn't bother with SLI, even for gaming I find it to be a bit of a gimmick.
 
Well I've included a benchmark to show that in synthetic loads the 5820K is only around 5-6% better than the 7700k in heavily multithreaded loads and in single threaded loads it shows the 7700K is around 30% faster. Considering that and that the chip itself is slightly cheaper and the boards and memory for Kaby Lake tend to be cheaper I'd say it is worth it.

Synthetic loads aren't going to match real world performance exactly but they are a pretty decent guide.
 
Yeah they can both be overclocked, the 7700k by around 20% max and 5820k by around 25% max. If it was my money I'd go for the 7700k here.

EDIT: The 7700k maxes out at around 4.8-5Ghz and the 5820k at around 4.2-4.4Ghz.