PC Build Advice

[Inferno]

So it looks like I may be getting a good tax return this year so I can pay off my current credit card and build a new rig. When it comes to parts though my knowledge is pretty basic.

I'm looking to build something for 3D Modeling and for gaming. My budget is around the 2k mark.

I plan on recycling my BR burner and I have a 1.5 TB backup drive that I'll move over. Obviously I plan on having dual monitors eventually so I'll need a video card that will support that and I also wouldn't mind having a card that supports SLI. Finally I want atleast 32 gigs of RAM with the option to add more. I know alot people say 16 gigs should be good enough for 3D work but I even experienced lag with 16 gigs when I was in school.

I'd appreciate any recommended builds. I plan on ordering the parts within the month when I get my return back.

Thanks in advance

[Vulcan]

Here's someone who has put together a parts list who updates it depending on prices and new releases.

http://forums.ncix.com/forums/?mode=...nt=3&subpage=1

You may want to upgrade the CPU to an i7 and as you say, the memory. From what I've looked at all the newer top GTX cards support 4 monitors through HDMI, DVI, and DP but check out the outputs on each brands models as they have different combinations.

also google "computer build" and you'll find a few sites that give options for your price range. Set your country as Canada and know that NCIX and Memory Express will mostly price match your components.

Also shopbot is a good place to look for the best prices.

[Vulcan]

Oh yeah, finding a MB that accepts more than 32GB of ram may be a problem and finding 2x16GB ram sets, so it can be expanded will be expensive. Also DDR4 memory is out but I don't know anything about it other than it's a bit expensive.

[Inferno]

I remember reading an article a week or two ago that said that right now the gap between DDR3 and 4 isn't that big so I would probably stick to DDR3 for now until the gap widens.

I was just going to get a motherboard that supported 32 gigs of ram but one of my friends recommended I try and get one that supports as much as possible in case I ever feel I need to upgrade in the future so I don't need to buy a new one.

[Vulcan]

Yeah, all the MBs I found that use more than 32GB of ram are server boards and than you get into Xeon processors which are expensive. Maybe someone else who knows more about this can chime in as I've never looked into this.

[Vulcan]

I found this article which will make things cheaper. I don't know if these are the latest versions as the article is a year and a half old.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/20477...afford-it.html

Here's a MB that will support 64GB of ram.

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16813131855

and here's the processors

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...d=1&Submit=ENE

Some of the LGA 211 boards use DDR4 so you'll have to look around to see what fits and what's the most cost effective.

[Inferno]

Here's what I've come up with so far. It's about $500 more than I want to spend though.

http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/qxqBYJ

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-5930K 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($658.34 @ TigerDirect Canada)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($37.98 @ NCIX)
Motherboard: MSI X99S Gaming 7 ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard ($309.99 @ NCIX)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($485.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Samsung 850 Pro Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($194.00 @ Canada Computers)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 980 4GB STRIX Video Card ($669.99 @ NCIX)
Case: Fractal Design Arc Midi R2 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($119.99 @ Memory Express)
Power Supply: Cooler Master Elite V2 550W ATX Power Supply ($52.99 @ NCIX)
Total: $2529.26
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-03 00:34 EST-0500

[Vulcan]

I might upgrade the power supply. This is a modular 520 watt Seasonic with a 5 year waranty for $70.

http://www.ncix.com/detail/seasonic-...52175-1139.htm

There are a few other larger power supplies (Corsair or XFX) on the NCIX sales page that could fit your needs better as well.

Anyways it's been interesting to see what you can buy for 2+ grand, enjoy.

[Trailer Fire]

Seems like the thread to post in. I'm looking to pick up a laptop. It doesn't have to be a wicked awesome laptop or anything, but I'm hoping to keep it under or around $500. I'd like to be able to do some gaming on it, but stuff like MMOs or the Sims or stuff like that. I don't need some supercharged rig that'll play any game on the craziest settings.

Any advice on where to try shopping? I'm not much of a computer wiz.

[MikeN]

That Power supply would not run that rig.. you would need easy over 800.

If you are doing 3d and using Adobe then you might want to look at the AMD as they kill the I7 when it comes to that.

But from my understanding the I7 kills it in 3d studio max...


But 2k is ALOT for a rig, I build myself a nice gaming PC last march for 1200 and I can play every game on the market on Ultra with little to zero frame drops.

[Inferno]

I'm getting a 750 power supply now.

I inquired about AMD on other boards and was recommended against it as AMD is geared more towards gaming while Intel is geared at both which is why AMD is cheaper.

[accord1999]

A 6 core Intel is going to be very good in pretty much everything; from games to applications. It really doesn't have any weaknesses:

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/product/1316?vs=1289

[Inferno]

Any suggestions for a case under $100? Originally I was going to get the Phanteks Enthoo Pro but it's a full tower and the tower I have now is a mid tower and I have maybe 2 1/2-3 inches of clearance under my desk so I'm afraid it wouldn't fit.

It doesn't have to be anything fancy looking other than I want it to be black. Just as long as it provides good airflow.

[Vulcan]

I have a Corsair 300 like this without the window. Lots of room for a big graphics card and good cooling.

http://www.ncix.com/detail/corsair-c...74835-1088.htm

Here's another Corsair.

http://www.ncix.com/detail/corsair-c...90808-1382.htm

another

http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=76376

oh yeah something else I just remembered, Windows 7 Home Premium can only use 16GB of ram. Windows 7 Pro and Windows 8 doesn't have a problem.

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-ca/lib...mits_windows_8

[Inferno]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

oh yeah something else I just remembered, Windows 7 Home Premium can only use 16GB of ram. Windows 7 Pro and Windows 8 doesn't have a problem.

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-ca/lib...mits_windows_8

I have Windows 7 Pro so I should be good. I've decided though I'm going to start with 16 and see how it goes. My rig will be more powerful than what I used at school so 16 might end up being enough for me.