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non-gaming build

M

MuppetMower

n00b
Joined
Feb 13, 2009
Messages
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I am looking into building a new computer for a friend. It will be used mostly for engineering stuff. Solid modeling, FEA, etc.

I havent been keeping up with current hardware, and I've never built a computer for anything besides gaming, so I need some guidance with part selection.

He wants to keep the whole thing under $1000.

I'm thinking about going with an i5 2500k for the cpu. Bulldozer reviews arent great, and I feel like the i7 is just to much money.

I need help picking out a motherboard that is a sturdy overclocker without breaking the bank. I'm not trying to set any OC records here, just squeezing out some extra power. Any suggestions on ram to go with it? He will be using some programs that use a lot of RAM, so I was thinking about going with 16gb of some corsair ram which is like $100.

Picking out a video card has got me pretty confused. He doesn't need crazy gpu power, since he isn't gaming, but he still needs something for solid modeling and such.



Any help is appreciated.

TL;DR:
Building PC for a friend. It is for engineering/non-gaming use.
He has a $1000 budget. Help me pick cpu, mother board, ram, and gpu.

EDIT:
I live in the US.
I need everything: case, mobo, cpu and cooling, gpu, ram, hdd, dvd drive, and monitor. I think thats everything.
Not sure about resolution bc he doesnt have a monitor. He doesnt need anything too nice.
I will be building it asap.
We get Windows 7 through school.
 
Last edited:
Please answer the stickied "ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS FIRST!" so that we can help you better.
 
If your friend is planning on using any 3d imaging or modeling program, even for engineering, then you should reconsider your hesitation on the i7-2600.

But it would help us if you answer the sticky questions, per Danny's request.
 
Which programs are your friend using for engineering?

How much does Windows 7 cost at your school? What version is it?

Do you live near a physical Fry's or Micro Center store?

Does "everything" also include a keyboard, a mouse, and a set of speakers?
 
SolidWorks, Matlab, Ansys, and some vehicle dynamics/suspension software, are programs that I know he uses. There are probably others.

Windows 7 Enterprise 64bit is free through school.

There are no Fry's or Micro Center's in our city.

He doesnt need a keyboard, mouse, or speakers.
 
can you copy/paste the sticky thread in your OP and answer the questions? we still need to know what parts you need, what monitor(s) he will be using, what state youre buying from, etc. i would say an nvidia gpu, possibly 560t, and a 2500K. if theres leftover in the budget then a 2600K wouldnt be a bad idea.
 
I answered everything in the sticky thread in the OP. I listed what parts I need, and that I will be getting a monitor.

I'll probably get all of the parts off of newegg.
 
well you didnt mention psu, i assume you will need that. also, the resultion and number of displays he wants will affect the budget and the necessary hardware, so figure that out first. dual monitors are REALLY nice for 3d design, but if he cant afford 2 then a single 1920x1080 23" monitor (~$120) should be good. also, depending on where you live, you may be able to save a lot of money buying from amazon, frys, or microcenter.
 
Ease up, ekuest. The OP answered most of them already:

MuppetMower said:
1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Building PC for a friend. It is for engineering/non-gaming use. SolidWorks, Matlab, Ansys, and some vehicle dynamics/suspension software, are programs that I know he uses. There are probably others.
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
He wants to keep the whole thing under $1000.
3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.
I live in the US. There are no Fry's or Micro Center's in our city. (OK, which city and/or state?)
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. The word "Everything" is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you'll need.
I need everything: case, mobo, cpu and cooling, gpu, ram, hdd, dvd drive, and monitor. (Assuming that you also need a PSU....)
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
He doesn't need a keyboard, mouse, or speakers.
6) Will you be overclocking?
I'm not trying to set any OC records here, just squeezing out some extra power.
7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
Not sure about resolution because he doesn't have a monitor. He doesn't need anything too nice.
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
I will be building it ASAP.
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? eSATA? Onboard video? etc.
I need help picking out a motherboard that is a sturdy overclocker without breaking the bank.
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If so, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
Windows 7 Enterprise 64bit is free through school.
Click to expand...

$220 - Intel Core i5 2500K
$84 - Two sets G.Skill Value Series F3-10666CL9D-8GBNT 2x4GB DDR3 1333
$26 - Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus
$190 - MSI Z68A-G43 (B3) and Corsair TX650 V2 combo
$65 - Hitachi Deskstar 7K1000.D HDS721010DLE630 (0F13180) 1TB SATA 6Gb/s HDD
$19 - Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS SATA DVD burner
$60 - Lian Li Lancool PC-K57W ATX mid-tower case
$115 - ATI 100-505651 FirePro 2270 512MB workstation video card
$180 - Asus VH238H 23" 1920x1080 monitor
=====
$959 - Subtotal (not including shipping, taxes, or rebates)

Apparently, Systemworks requires a workstation video card, hence the ATI FirePro 2270. But the above total doesn't reflect the promo codes you could use to save even more money:

Processor - $15 off promo code; expires 10/19
PSU - 10% off (~$9.50) promo code; expires 10/19
Case - 20% off (~$12) promo code; expires 10/21
DVD burner - free shipping promo code; expires 10/19
Monitor - $10 off promo code; expires 10/19
 
Last edited:
tiraides you linked the ATI FirePro V4800 not the 2270 although its only $42 more with double the ram, it may be worth looking into. I don't know much about the workstation cards though.
 
Thanks for the head's up; I fixed the link.

However, going with the V4800 over the 2270 would exceed the OP's $1000 budget -- assuming that none of the promo codes are used in time -- and I don't know enough about workstation cards to determine whether or not the V4800's additional memory improves its comparative performance. (Hell, for all I know, neither card may be enough for Systemworks.)
 
tiraides said:
However, going with the V4800 over the 2270 would exceed the OP's $1000 budget -- assuming that none of the promo codes are used in time -- and I don't know enough about workstation cards to determine whether or not the V4800's additional memory improves its comparative performance. (Hell, for all I know, neither card may be enough for Systemworks.)
Click to expand...

Well at least in the case of Solidworks, the V4800 is well worth the extra cash. Not only does the VRAM help out immensely with that programs, even without the extra VRAM, the V4800 is already faster than the 2270 due to the greater amount of shaders, CPU clock speed, bus width, and RAM speed. For Solidworks, you want as fast a GPU as possible. So definitely the V4800 if possible.
 
Danny Bui said:
Well at least in the case of Solidworks, the V4800 is well worth the extra cash. Not only does the VRAM help out immensely with that programs, even without the extra VRAM, the V4800 is already faster than the 2270 due to the greater amount of shaders, CPU clock speed, bus width, and RAM speed. For Solidworks, you want as fast a GPU as possible. So definitely the V4800 if possible.
Click to expand...

Good to know.
I had been told by others that for a budget like this it was best to get a gaming gpu, but that didn't make sense.
How would the V4800 hold up to Solidworks FEA/CFD? That is what will probably be run the most on this computer.
 
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