Critique my specs

A

amtberg

n00b
Joined
Feb 14, 2013
Messages
5
Would appreciate opinions on a new build I'll be doing (hopefully) in the next few weeks (U.S., Miami, FL).

Machine is used for 3D modeling/animation, video editing/compositing, and miscellaneous tasks. Budget is $2k - $2.5k for the box and everything inside except the video card (GTX580) which I'll salvage from my current POS. Need 24-32GB RAM, 2T primary storage, solid state drive for programs. Would like stable overclock and a quiet machine. Air or water is okay but I don't want to do full-on DIY. Appearance doesn't matter -- going for speed and reliability here. SLI not required. RAID is a plus, and must have USB3.

Main programs used are Cinema 4D, ZBrush, Rhino, and Adobe Creative Suite Production Premium (CS6).

I'll proabably go with Win7 64 Pro.

Full disclosure: my proposed configuration largely based on a recommendation from another OC forum....

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116492
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157289
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817121083
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147193
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136792
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116992
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148561
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352023

Planning on using the new Swiftech H220 cpu kit when available.

Any thoughts? Is 500 watt psu sufficient (single video card)?

TIA
 
Last edited:
The hard drive is overpriced. For $60 less than that WD 2TB Black drive, you can get an extra 1TB of storage:
http://www.amazon.com/Seagate-Barra.../B005T3GRLY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1360874037

For $20 more than that WD 2TB Black drive, you can get double the storage:
http://www.amazon.com/WD-Red-NAS-Ha...f=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1360874055

So either way, that 2TB Black drive doesn't make much sense from a price to performance standpoint.

While a good quality 500W PSU will be more than enough for your needs, I'm not 100% sold on a fanless PSU just yet. I recommend this better PSU deal:
$140 - Seasonic X750 Gold 750W Modular PSU

$30 cheaper but you get more power and almost just as low noise levels.

As for the motherboard, I'd spend the extra cash for the Asus Sabertooth X79 mobo since it's a bit more reliable than that AsRock mobo.
 
As an Amazon Associate, HardForum may earn from qualifying purchases.
Thanks for the suggestions, Danny. Points well taken. I don't need more than 2TB storage, but cheaper for the same performance is always good. I think the WD unit can be a bit loud, too.

I've only heard good things about the psu so I'll probably stick with that, but if you think the Asus board is more reliable then it's definitely worth spending more for it.
 
Thanks for the input, fellas. Order placed. Ended up going for the Asus board and replaced the 32GB Crucial RAM with 64GB of GSkill, which was on sale. Go big or go home, right? :D
 
While a good quality 500W PSU will be more than enough for your needs, I'm not 100% sold on a fanless PSU just yet. I recommend this better PSU deal:
$140 - Seasonic X750 Gold 750W Modular PSU


Excellent recommendation, plus the 750 gives you room down the road for dual cards or future high powered graphics cards.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top