My PC Build

sgunnery87

New member
Hi Everyone I am new to the forum and just was after peoples opinions and ideas all will be GREATLY appreciated.

If this post is too long or i ramble at times i apologise

My current system is a shop bought PC around 5-6 years old (brief specs below)

Compaq Presario 32 bit Windows Vista (installed myself)

AMD 64 Athlon 3200+ running at 2.0 GHZ if I am lucky it has an L1 Cache of 64kb and L2 Cache of 512kb

2.5 GB DDR RAM (originally 512 Kb I upgraded)

Built in Radeon 200 Graphics card.

Last year I started a Video Game Design course and began using 3DS Max and looking into other programs such as ZBrush, Maya, Mudbox and I use other software for burning DVD's and everyday task my current system can only just manage 3DS Max on the lowest setting, Mudbox won't even load up and numerous other problems

I have only just recently started being interested in doing a build I know I could buy a computer for the exact amount of my budget from the comfort of my own home but I don't want to I want that proud feeling of when friends/ family ask me about my computer I want to say I built it and also I want to tailor it to my needs which is 3D Modelling/ Rendering but I also want the option to play PC Games at the highest settings without a problem.

I was looking towards an AMD build as I have used them for the last 5-6 years and upon reading reviews while not being up to Intel's speed they hold their own while being a lot cheaper but I am torn between price over capability, I want the best PC possible

I have a budget starting from £1000 to £1500 maybe a little bit higher I have managed with my current system for years I want to dominate now I am very interested in the new Zambezi AMD processr codenamed Bulldozer I was originally aiming for a AMD X6 1100T but have decided to wait as Bulldozer launch is coming which allows me more money as I will be saving up to top up my budget I want a future proof PC for a good 3-5 years.

So far I have on my list

AMD Bulldozer (not yet released) - £250-£300

Crosshair V 990X -£185

RAM - 24GB/32GB if possible don't think single 8GB slots are that cheap - £200

Cooling - Cosair H70 or the new H80 I love the idea of water cooling - £75

Storage - 128GB SSD from Crucial or OCZ - £150 -£180

Case - NZXT Phantom -£110 I love the look of this case but I heard you can't use it with the H70/H80

PSU - Coolermaster 800W - £155

GPU - HD Radeon 6850 1GB - £130 (possibly have 2 for Crossfire X)

I am very open to the forums advice as I have spent hours and hours looking at reviews,videos and all sorts of other things to help me in my choice the AMD v Intel debate will rage on I would prefer AMD for cost and future upgrading but I am open to looking at Intel if it will make my system perform better for what it will be used for feel free to completely revamp my idea with your own 9 i only ask you give a reason behind your choice as I will no doubt review it myself)

Thanks

Any question please post here (I will be checking regularly) or message me directly.
 
Theres nothing wrong with ur older plan of the 1100t it'll hold ya for 3-5 years no doubt. But I understand wanting to go BD as well. if your looking at bang for buck AMD is the way to go. Intel while a better performer at benchmarks and slight edge on performance is way to costly in comparison.
 
I was looking at the i7 2600k and the potential is really good it's very hard to choose to be honest I want the best performance looking at the 2600k in all tests it blows all current processors out of the water in some way in the Benchmarks even the 6 core i7 980X ones which are over 3 times the price.

I don't know if I should wait till BD then compare it to 2600k and because I haven't upgraded in 5-6 years or built my own pc before there is a lot of new stuff I am learning it's overwhelming to make a decision because I'll look at something then see something else of the same type and that peaks my interest and I spend 6 hours looking up things on the internet.

Confused.com
 
I have the 2600k and I love it, But it all comes down to personal preference I suppose.

They do make workstation specific Video cards such as: ATI Firepro & Nvidia Quatro they offer slightly better performance in 3d rendering, but they are much more expensive i don't know if you want to go down that track but its always an option...
smile.gif
 
Not just yet I would do that if i manage to get job in the Games Industry I just need something that I can run all the stuff I want to do at and play games if needed.
 
Right now the 2600k will give the best 3D/rendering performance, but bulldozer and future Intel's will most likely beat it. But there is always coming something newer and better, and I doubt the 2600k will disappoint you in any way.

I would go for a D14 for the cooler, as mentioned above.

I saw a 980x mentioned as well, a single core of the 2600k scores higher than a single 980x core, so the 980x it only beats it in programs that use all cores/threads effectively, I saw benches of 2600k beating the 980x in 3DSMax
wink.gif


i7 2600k

Noctua NH-D14

Corsair PSU. (Maybe HX 850 or 750?)

Gigabyte GTX 560 SOC, since you wanted to play games at high settings
wink.gif


Case and SSD choice is really up to you
smile.gif


Regarding the mobo and RAM, I don't know too much about SB mobos, so see if someone has a recommendation for a good motherboard. And good ram that fits with the D14.
 
I recommend any of the Asus P67 SB mobos, But a ASUS P8P67-M PRO or a Asus P8Z68-DELUXE would do all the jobs you want to do..
wink.gif
 
Forgot to mention, I read somewhere on the forum that Mushkin Ridgeback ram fits under the d-14... but not sure about it on an Asus board
huh.gif
 
I am still doing a LOT of research I am drawn towards the 2600k for it's performance but I might wait till BD is released see how it stacks up and then make a decision and during that time I can fine tune other aspects of my build it's all very new at the moment lots of info to process and I am still learning.

Thanks for the advice so far.
 
haha i remember my first build all the info about it was overwhelming!

I suppose it would be good to wait to see what the BD has to offer, but I can say nothing but good things about the 2600k

just remember you can always change it down the track! When I first built my rig I said "right thats it, its done doesnt need to be changed for a while" and what can I say.. I got the bug and have replaced every part of it within a year haha
wink.gif
 
I know i am looking at things now thinking that I want to change them i've just gotta make a choice based on my needs can always change something in the future...it's just the WOW factor of soooo much being available and wanting it all I am drawn towards the i7 2600k for it's performance but then it's the BD temptation and the fact that if I wait i don't lose anything but if I buy know and BD is amazing then it's that let-down feeling.

i am enjoying doing the research at the moment loads to learn.
 
Back
Top