Help with CAD/Movie Watching Build

[iceberg]

1. Budget & Location

I don't have a set budget, but <$2,000 (US) would be great (of course the cheaper the better). I also have no color scheme in mind, but I am open to suggestions.

2. Aim

I will mainly be using the system for some relatively light 3-D CAD rendering (I would like the option to add in more RAM in the future if I get into more heavy rendering). I would also like to be able to watch movies on this computer (Blu-rays and DVDs), so I am looking for a good display for movie viewing as well as CAD work (to be included in the $2,000). I tend to have multiple windows open often, so I would like a large monitor. At this time I would like to stick to ONE monitor at least 27". I am curious, how well are the ultra-wide monitors for rendering and movie viewing? I would also like included in the design/cost a decent speaker set up (more about this in the peripherals section).

3. Monitors
As stated above, I plan on running ONE monitor to start with, but I may expand in the future as desired.

4. Peripherals
I only need a monitor and speakers included in the budget. I have a keyboard, mouse, and headphones. I am not an audiophile, so I do not need a really fancy speaker set up. I just want a quality speaker for decent movie viewing and some easy listening music while I work on the computer.

5. Why are you upgrading?
My current computer is 4 years old and I am about to graduate college.

6. Some Desired Components

• Corsair 350D (with window) -- I like the aesthetics and it seems like the right size for me (not too large, not too small)
• ASUS motherboard -- I don't care what type, but I have always had ASUS computers and the motherboards have always been bullet proof
• SSD Boot Drive (No brand preference, just looking for quality)
• At least 1 TB storage drive (will definitely expand as I collect more content)
• I will also need a new OS included in the system cost either Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 (no preference, I realize Windows 7 is cheaper)

A Few Final Notes

• I am NOT planning on buying in the next 3 days, so please do not include short term deals or sale prices.
• I am starting off fresh here, so I will NOT be reusing any components.
• I WILL be running WIRED to start with

If this my budget does not cover this, what will?

 

Thanks in advance,

 

iceberg

[brob]

@iceberg, the speakers are nothing fancy. The system should do a nice job with CAD.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU:  Intel Core i7-4770 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($294.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard:  Asus B85M-G Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($77.98 @ OutletPC)
Memory:  Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($134.95 @ Amazon)
Storage:  Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 240GB 2.5" Solid State Disk  ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Storage:  Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($82.99 @ NCIX US)
Case:  Corsair 350D Window MicroATX Mid Tower Case  ($79.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply:  Silverstone Strider 600W 80+ Silver Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($85.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive:  LG WH14NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer  ($59.99 @ Microcenter)
Operating System:  Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit - OEM (64-bit)  ($97.27 @ TigerDirect)
Monitor:  HP ZR2740w 60Hz 27.0" Monitor  ($449.00 @ B&H)
Speakers:  Creative Labs Inspire T10 10W 2ch Speakers  ($38.35 @ Amazon)
Other: AMD 100-505635(100-505842) FirePro W5000 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 CrossFire Supported Workstation Video Card  ($439.99)
Total: $1971.47
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-01-22 01:18 EST-0500)

 

I actually think the Asus PB278Q monitor would be better, but it doesn't fit the budget.

[Nidiahk]

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2Fub6

Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2Fub6/by_merchant/

Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2Fub6/benchmarks/

 

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($294.99 @ NCIX US) 

Motherboard: Asus B85M-G Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($77.98 @ OutletPC) 

Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($134.95 @ Amazon) 

Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk  ($128.53 @ B&H) 

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($87.99 @ Dell Small Business) 

Video Card: ATI FirePro V5900 2GB Video Card  ($412.72 @ Amazon) 

Case: Corsair 350D Window MicroATX Mid Tower Case  ($89.99 @ NCIX US) 

Power Supply: Corsair Builder 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($65.36 @ Amazon) 

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit)  ($97.98 @ OutletPC) 

Monitor: Asus MX299Q 29.0" Monitor  ($449.99 @ Newegg) 

Speakers: Logitech Z506 155W 5.1ch Speakers  ($74.99 @ B&H) 

Total: $1915.47

(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-01-22 01:59 EST-0500)

 

This is with the 29" monitor by asus, if you were to change anything maybe windows 7/8 but i like 8 with start is back. A cheaper cpu cooler is also a good idea, such as a cooler master hyper 212 evo.

 

The w5000 video card is a much better option!!! over the v5900

[iceberg]

@iceberg, the speakers are nothing fancy. The system should do a nice job with CAD.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU:  Intel Core i7-4770 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($294.99 @ NCIX US)

Motherboard:  Asus B85M-G Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($77.98 @ OutletPC)

Memory:  Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($134.95 @ Amazon)

Storage:  Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 240GB 2.5" Solid State Disk  ($129.99 @ Amazon)

Storage:  Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($82.99 @ NCIX US)

Case:  Corsair 350D Window MicroATX Mid Tower Case  ($79.99 @ NCIX US)

Power Supply:  Silverstone Strider 600W 80+ Silver Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($85.98 @ Newegg)

Optical Drive:  LG WH14NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer  ($59.99 @ Microcenter)

Operating System:  Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit - OEM (64-bit)  ($97.27 @ TigerDirect)

Monitor:  HP ZR2740w 60Hz 27.0" Monitor  ($449.00 @ B&H)

Speakers:  Creative Labs Inspire T10 10W 2ch Speakers  ($38.35 @ Amazon)

Other: AMD 100-505635(100-505842) FirePro W5000 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 CrossFire Supported Workstation Video Card  ($439.99)

Total: $1971.47

(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-01-22 01:18 EST-0500)

 

I actually think the Asus PB278Q monitor would be better, but it doesn't fit the budget.

 

 

 

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2Fub6

Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2Fub6/by_merchant/

Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2Fub6/benchmarks/

 

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($294.99 @ NCIX US) 

Motherboard: Asus B85M-G Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($77.98 @ OutletPC) 

Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($134.95 @ Amazon) 

Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk  ($128.53 @ B&H) 

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($87.99 @ Dell Small Business) 

Video Card: ATI FirePro V5900 2GB Video Card  ($412.72 @ Amazon) 

Case: Corsair 350D Window MicroATX Mid Tower Case  ($89.99 @ NCIX US) 

Power Supply: Corsair Builder 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($65.36 @ Amazon) 

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit)  ($97.98 @ OutletPC) 

Monitor: Asus MX299Q 29.0" Monitor  ($449.99 @ Newegg) 

Speakers: Logitech Z506 155W 5.1ch Speakers  ($74.99 @ B&H) 

Total: $1915.47

(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-01-22 01:59 EST-0500)

 

This is with the 29" monitor by asus, if you were to change anything maybe windows 7/8 but i like 8 with start is back. A cheaper cpu cooler is also a good idea, such as a cooler master hyper 212 evo.

 

The w5000 video card is a much better option!!! over the v5900

 

These builds look good, but I was wondering if there is any reason to go with a "business class" chipset on the motherboard as opposed to a "consumer class" chipset on the motherboard?

 

I was originally looking at possibly getting this motherboard because it has a few more options, but I have noticed that it is of the "consumer class." I know that it costs more money, I am just wondering why you both selected a "business class" chipset over a "consumer class" chipset.

 

Thanks again!

[Nidiahk]

These builds look good, but I was wondering if there is any reason to go with a "business class" chipset on the motherboard as opposed to a "consumer class" chipset on the motherboard?

 

I was originally looking at possibly getting this motherboard because it has a few more options, but I have noticed that it is of the "consumer class." I know that it costs more money, I am just wondering why you both selected a "business class" chipset over a "consumer class" chipset.

 

Thanks again!

i didnt see a need to spend more money, There is very little difference in speed for mother boards (negligible) only reason to spend more is for features/overclocking and with your budget overclocking would be difficult. If there is another feature you want you could definitely spend a bit more

[brob]

These builds look good, but I was wondering if there is any reason to go with a "business class" chipset on the motherboard as opposed to a "consumer class" chipset on the motherboard?

 

I was originally looking at possibly getting this motherboard because it has a few more options, but I have noticed that it is of the "consumer class." I know that it costs more money, I am just wondering why you both selected a "business class" chipset over a "consumer class" chipset.

 

Thanks again!

 

The added features of the H87 motherboard (CrossFire and 2 additional SATA 6Gb/s) do not justify the added cost. Especially since the ~$30 difference is better spent on other components.

 

There really isn't much to the designation "consumer class" and "business class". In fact you may have noticed that the H87 motherboard you were looking at is part of the Asus CSM program which is designed to attract enterprise purchasers.

[iceberg]

i didnt see a need to spend more money, There is very little difference in speed for mother boards (negligible) only reason to spend more is for features/overclocking and with your budget overclocking would be difficult. If there is another feature you want you could definitely spend a bit more

 

@Nidiahk Thank you for the response. I knew the speed difference was negligible, and I am not interested in overclocking at this time. That board just has a few more features I might use in the future. Thanks again!

[iceberg]

The added features of the H87 motherboard (CrossFire and 2 additional SATA 6Gb/s) do not justify the added cost. Especially since the ~$30 difference is better spent on other components.

 

There really isn't much to the designation "consumer class" and "business class". In fact you may have noticed that the H87 motherboard you were looking at is part of the Asus CSM program which is designed to attract enterprise purchasers.

 

@brob Thank you for the response. I will take your comments into account, but if I am not mistaken the H87 has 2 more USB 3.0 ports and also supports raid, which to me might be worth $30. 

 

Also, thank you for the clarification on the "consumer class" and "business class" stuff.

[Musikman]

Just out of curiosities sake, which CAD application do you use?

[WoodenMarker]

You might as well plan later when you're about to buy to take advantage of sales. 

[iceberg]

Just out of curiosities sake, which CAD application do you use?

@Musikman

 

I use Creo 2.0 professionally and Solidworks as a hobby.

[iceberg]

You might as well plan later when you're about to buy to take advantage of sales. 

@WoodenMarker

 

Yeah, I just was kind of looking for a general outline right now. I will definitely look at sales when I am ready to purchase. I am just kind of excited about it!