Quad Core + 8GB < $1k (for Coder/3dsMax/AE)

D

datacollector

Limp Gawd
Joined
Aug 28, 2007
Messages
128
So I am planning to build a new system since my current desktop is 5+ yrs old.

I will primarily be using this computer for:

1) Coding Projects
2) Web Design
-- Photoshop
-- Illustrator
-- Flash
3) Video Editing (After Effects + Premiere)
4) 3DSMax + Maya
5) Movie Watching
No real gaming will be done-- I have school and a couple of projects going to help individuals learn to use computers via free DVDs (w/ Video Tutorials on them, aimed primarily at non-English speakers who do not have access to as many resources + another web project that I just got started... aim of this project is a "self-sustained" non-profit)


So I wanted to keep this under a limited budget.

===============================================================

CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
MOBO: Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L
PSU: Okia 600 Watt Power Supply (Dual Core Certified) -- SKEPTICAL OF THIS.. any thoughts?
CASE: standard mid tower

SUBTOTAL: $450.99 + $0
ALL FROM THIS PLACE: http://www.smksuperstore.com/catalog/viewitem.asp?ID=31211

----------------------------------------
RAM: 2x of
G.SKILL 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...ryType=0&Pagesize=100&SelectedRating=-1&Page=)
$119.99 x2 = $240 + $0

VIDEO CARD: (not sure what to get but someone said this was faster than other video cards in the price range)
- SAPPHIRE 100195L Radeon X1650 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16814102084

$60+$5


TOTAL: 756
----------------------


HARD DRIVES: I just got two new 500gb SATA hds and a PCI raid card to later setup a RAID 0+1
for now I plan to use a raid 1 setup so I'll end up with <500gb.
OPTICAL: already have a basic burner + macbook pro to burn dvds



MONITOR:
==================================
This is the issue I have been debating. Currently I have a 19" Dell LCD that I got for like $500 a very long time ago.
I plan to get at least one of these 24" LCDs:

Acer 24" Widescreen LCD Monitor (AL2416WBsd)
(from COMP USA @ $250 after m-rebate: http://www.compusa.com/products/pro...&cm_pla=General&cm_ite=Primary&ref=performics)

What should I do? Get two and get a cheap PCI card to run 3 monitors? or two should be fine? Will the non-wide 19" fit nicely with the 24" or will it be odd? Please advice!

Currently My setup is as follows:

[ MacbookPro Connected to my 19"] [19" monitor connected to MBP and Desktop] [15" CRT for linux server]

I run Synergy + VNC server on the Desktop so I usually have the MBP hooked up to the monitor and just access the Desktop via VNC... this is because my MBP is faster but still gets "rendered" useless by After Effects)


If you guys can convince me that getting the second monitor to have a total of 3 monitors is actually worth it... That it will increase my productivity a lot and therefor allow me to do better in my personal projects, then I think I am willing to spend the money on this since those projects are quite important to me. I'm just not sure how much it can help and if someone has a similar setup please let me know what you think!

====================================


So GRAND TOTAL = 1006 + tax = 1095



Any comments? I couldn't get any cheaper prices on the components I'm using.
 
I sam not sure on the PS, I dont know the brand. It seems you will be doing alot of video stuff, so hopefully somebody will chime in if its good enough.

The monitors is personal taste. I cant stand the monitors being different. I had the same size, but different brands and it drove me crazy. I gave it to one of the kids....
2 22"-24" lcd's would be sweet, or even 2 19"'s really. I miss having a second monitor...
 
that PS is a pos, we had 450w ones at a store I used to work at and they were garbage, and had a 600w dual fan one in a p4 3.2 pc which also pooched =p
 
Thanks for the responses..

So is it worth to spend the extra $80 on that: ZUMAX 650 Watt Power Supply w/ 6 Pin PCIe VC Plug (For Nvidia 8800 & ATI 1950 / HD2900) ?

@shade_star : those are kind of expensive... heh
 
Not that PSU either.

Ok why buy from that particular store? Their selection of PSUs and prices for them is crap. Frankly you can better if you shop around:
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 G0 Stepping CPU - $274
Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L Intel P35 Motherboard - $86
Corsair VX550 550W PSU - $95
-----
Total: $455.

With the above, you get a much better quality PSU thats backed up by a 5 year warranty. The G0 stepping Q6600 runs a bit cooler and so you don't have to worry too much about your temps.

And by no real gaming, what kind of games will you be playing? If you're not gaming, then don't bother with that card since this $29 card is all that you need:
MSI RX1550-TD128EH Radeon X1550 128MB PCI-E Video Card - $29

AS for productivity with multiple monitors, that's up to you to decide. During your work on your projects, can you imagine 3 monitors will help? Do you even take advantage of two monitors? Do you find your self constrained with your current setup in terms of desktop space? So basically you have to decide if you need 3 monitors.
 
Dual monitors will help if you like to have many things open at once. I agree with Danny, buy the parts individually. Danny has a nice list of cases you could get, too, but he left it out of the barebones alternative. Hopefully he'll be back to post it. ;)
 
I wont be playing games at all... but from articles I've read it seems that some of the applications I use do take advantage of a faster video card.

Finally I do find that I constantly have things open.... I had dual 19" LCDs for a short period once (first monitor had some minor problems so I had dell replace it.....but in the meanwhile I could use both).... it was really an amazing experience.
 
UPDATE:

PS + CASE :

COOLER MASTER Elite 330 RC-330-KKN1-GP Black SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811119115

RAIDMAX Hybrid 2 RX-530SS ATX12V 530W Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL, CUL, FCC, TUV, CE, C-tick, CCC, CB
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16817152028

62+40 = $102 + 0


CPU:
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 G0 Stepping Kentsfield 2.40GHz 8MB L2 LGA 775 Processor Retail BX80562Q6600 SLACR

= $275 + $1.5



MOBO:

GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L INTEL P35 CHIPSET ATX FORM FACTOR 1xPCI-E(X16)/3xPCI-E(X1)/3xPCI/4xDDR2 W/SATA2,LAN(Gb),USB 2.0 & AUDIO (CPU TYPE:INTEL - SOCKET 775)

$100.63 (w/ shipping)



Total before RAM = $479.13

After RAM + Video Card = $788



w/ Dual Monitors $1284.13 (+ tax of 114)

GRAND TOTAL after TAX = $1397
 
datacollector said:
It got pretty good reviews =-/ ...
Click to expand...

Don't listen to newegg reviews about PSUs. Raidmax PSUs are crap. Here, these links will help you more, read through them:

PSU Suggestions:
http://forums.extremeoverclocking.com/showpost.php?p=1590883&postcount=193
http://www.jonnyguru.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1460
http://www.jonnyguru.com/forums/showthread.php?t=103
PSU FAQ: http://www.jonnyguru.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1036


I believe the only time you'll need the GPU power is when you're rendering.
 
Thanks guys, I'll be going with the xclio .....now about that video card... most of you seem to think I don't need it? What would be my best choice.. and what are some reasons for considering getting it @ $65? Why not? I mean ... its not as expensive as others.. so I"m wondering if its really not worth the extra $20-30. I will be running two monitors for sure (even if they are of diff sizes)



Note that last time I spent a lot on "professional Quadro" video card .. about $300-400 but that was broken when I shipped my computer... so I'm really not looking to spend that much this time around.
 
now about that video card... most of you seem to think I don't need it? What would be my best choice.. and what are some reasons for considering getting it @ $65? Why not? I mean ... its not as expensive as others.. so I"m wondering if its really not worth the extra $20-30.
Click to expand...

Well so far it's only I that said you didn't need that card since you were not gaming. It's a weak gaming card that shouldn't be in a system for non-gaming. Your best choice is the card I recommended earlier for a non-gamer.

However, since you will be doing some 3D rendering, that card may help a bit. However for around that price range I'd get this card instead since it's a bit faster than the card you chose for a $7 more and a faster card MIGHT help with 3D rendering:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102064
 
I agree with Danny, who's agreeing with Abu... so I basically agree with Abu.
 
Just as a quick note, you do know about the difference in quality between various LCD panel types and such, right? I'm not sure how important colour accuracy is for your work, but you may want to ask around the display forums if that's the case, since cheap 24 inch models like that Acer tend to have some potential issues in this area.
 
There's some 4 gig G.Skill set on the egg for 80 w/ MIR that would cut your cost 80 bucks if you have 2 addresses you can use.
 
I do have two addresses... hmm I haven't seen that deal anywhere =-/.. thanks for letting me know but do you remember what section of the forum you saw this in? Hot Deals?

I have a small dilemma now.... I just got Leopard and vmware fusion.. and it seems pretty nice. My question I guess would be whether it is possible at all to install something like Vista 64bit itself on the ram? Or is that only an option for my applications like photoshop and what not? The person who posted I should get a 30" is really making me think about that now.. since I could use my macbook pro with a 30" dell and have a pretty strong system with a really nice monitor. decisions, decisions.... I would get dual 24"s if I knew that Matrox card actually supported their max res but it seems that nobody has been able to pull this off.


Also I wont be able to use my computer for about 3 weeks if I buy now since I will be going away... so I'm thinking about buying in January.. and by then there should be new stuff out correct? I really don't know how I should approach this. What I am trying to say is that I dont really know if 8gb + 2.4quad core will make a worlds difference over 2.33ghz + 2gb ram (upgrade to 3gb maybe + 30" or 24"). If i go for quad core desktop then I would only get "cheap" dual 24"s.. and I have a high quality monitor right now that is 19" though... which I can use to testing.



- Thanks again


-----
Edit: I see now that a rebate was just added to the ram I was thinking buying.. heh

What about this @ $90? https://shop1.outpost.com/product/5200607?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG (newegg has it @140)
 
Update:

PS: XCLIO STABLEPOWER 460W ATX V2.2 460W Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL, CUL, TUV, CB, VDE, FIMKO, DEMKO, NEMKO, SEMKO

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817189013
= 63.21

CASE
Rosewill R6422-P BK Black SGCC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147064

= 17.99 + 9.19 = 27.20

===================================
CPU:
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 G0 Stepping Kentsfield 2.40GHz 8MB L2 LGA 775 Processor Retail BX80562Q6600 SLACR

= $275 + $1.5
====================================
MOBO:

GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L INTEL P35 CHIPSET ATX FORM FACTOR 1xPCI-E(X16)/3xPCI-E(X1)/3xPCI/4xDDR2 W/SATA2,LAN(Gb),USB 2.0 & AUDIO (CPU TYPE:INTEL - SOCKET 775)

$100.63 (w/ shipping)
==========================
RAM:
DDR2 4GB PC6400 DUAL PATRIOT
https://shop1.outpost.com/product/5200607?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

90x2 = 180 shipped

SUBTOTAL================
648 without video card
=======================

==================================
VIDEO CARD:
(The other one is still too expensive so I'm even thinking of getting a regular PCI card for now)
- SAPPHIRE 100195L Radeon X1650 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102084

$60+$5

=======

Total for Desktop tower = 713
+ tax =

REAL TOTAL: 776
 
Just pickup a $30 PCI-E card until you can afford a better one. No sense in wasting another $30 on the X1650. The 8400GS for $40 - $20MIR is another option if you don't mind rebates.

The elite 330 case is on sale for $40 - $30MIR if you don't mind rebates. The G.Skill kit is on newegg, too, the one on sale for $114 - $40MIR.
 
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