Workstation build

[Blowy]

Hi,

I'm planning on building a new computer in the next few months and was just after some advice or feedback. This is my first build so I thought I'd get a bit of help! 

 

Hopefully this post doesn't get too long!

 

Aim

 

I just finished a design course as part of high school and during that course I used lots of Adobe products like Photoshop, Illustrator and After Effects. I also used 3D modelling programs as part of the course. I see myself using these programs a lot in my future, so a machine that handles those kinds of programs well would be awesome!

 

I intend to use it for light gaming as well, but I am aware that workstation computers can have difficulties when it comes to gaming. Professional performance is more important than gaming performance, however both would be appreciated. 

 

I don't intend to overclock, however I might get an unlocked processor just in case I want to one day, you never know!

 

Location and Budget

 

I live in Melbourne, Australia, and I intend to buy my components from PC Case Gear. However, if there is a component that you guys think I'll need I'm happy to shop in other places too.

 

When I began planning this build I tried to focus on parts that were cheaper, but as I have put more thought into this I've decided I'd rather spend more money on a quality machine which will last longer, with plenty of room for upgrading in the future. Thus if there is a component that you think would be really worth having, I'm happy to save up and get that. In general I'd like to spend less than $3000

 

Monitors and Peripherals

 

My current computer has a HDMI port and I use a flat screen TV as a monitor and it has done a good job so far, however I do intend to get another 2 monitors to go on either side of it but these are something I'm happy to save up for later. 

 

I think I have all of the peripherals that I need. A copy of Windows 8 will be needed though.

 

Reasons for Upgrading

 

The computer I have right now is just a pre-built machine that I picked up for about $200 from Officeworks. While it's done well through high school, I want a machine that is more capable of using programs like Autodesk 3DS Max, CAD programs and Adobe for use as I go into university and perhaps a career in design/engineering. 

 

I've been investigating parts and stuff for a while now, and I have a list. I'd really like to know what you all think and if there is any suggestion you can make I'll appreciate it so much!

 

 

Case:

Corsair Obsidian 650D Mid Tower Case

Motherboard:

Asus P9X79 Pro Motherboard (Socket 2011)

CPU:

Intel Core i7 4820K (Socket 2011)

CPU Cooling:

NZXT Kraken X60 AOI Liquid CPU Cooler (280mm)

Power Supply:

Corsair HX850 V2

Memory:

16GB G.Skill Ares F3-1866C10D-16GAB

(If I end up with a motherboard with support for more I will definitely buy more, however for budgeting reasons I'll buy more RAM at a later date when I've saved the money for it)

Optical Drive:

LG BH16NS40 16X BD-R Blu-Ray Writer (OEM)

Storage:

• 1TB Seagate Barracuda 
• 60GB Corsair Force Series LS SSD

Graphics Card:

This is where I definitely need help!

I have looked at a number of graphics cards and am not sure whether to get a consumer card or whether I need to get a professional one. I like the idea of getting a professional card as I know I will definitely be using programs that will benefit from such a card, however they can be very expensive.

 

I was thinking maybe something like an AMD Firepro W7000 professional graphics card. It performs well on programs which I like to use according to benchmarks while also performing well on many graphics heavy games such as Crysis 2.

However I know that you can get cards with comparable specs for far less which are designed more for gaming PCs. 

I'm really not sure which path to take!

 

Other stuff:

I know that professional builds shouldn't be about looks, however I was thinking of adding in some Bitfenix Alchemy lighting strips because I really like the effect.

 

 

Sorry this got a little bit long! If you have any advice or suggestions I'll really appreciate it!

Thank you so much!

[Jvagle875]

I would honestly wait until you are either in courses in uni that require it, or have a job that requires it. You certainly don't want to be kicking yourself later if you choose a different career path. Also, computer parts out-date relatively quickly. Buy what you need now. Just my two cents.

[WoodenMarker]

What content are you currently working on? Scale of work? Programs being used?

[Blowy]

Fair enough. You're probably right.

However I do really enjoy tinkering around on these programs and even if they don't end up being a part of my career I will always enjoy making content using those programs.

Perhaps there are some cheaper non-workstation components which will allow me to still play around with those programs but still do well if I do enter the design/engineering industry? 

 

Thanks for your feedback! I really didn't expect a reply so quickly!

[WoodenMarker]

Fair enough. You're probably right.

However I do really enjoy tinkering around on these programs and even if they don't end up being a part of my career I will always enjoy making content using those programs.

Perhaps there are some cheaper non-workstation components which will allow me to still play around with those programs but still do well if I do enter the design/engineering industry? 

 

Thanks for your feedback! I really didn't expect a reply so quickly!

There are definitely cheaper alternatives. 

You need to quote a post or tag a member or else they won't get a notification you replied to them. 

 

Btw, welcome to the forum.

[Blowy]

I use Adobe CS6 products a fair amount, in particular Illustrator with some pieces having a really large number of paths (enough to make my current computer really struggle). These include Photoshop, After Effects, and InDesign. I have really just begun using 3DS Max recently, with my largest project being around 5000 polygons, however as I learn how to use the program more and are able to achieve some of my more ambitious ideas I can see that count increasing pretty fast. I would also like to use programs such as Autodesk Mudbox or ZBrush in the future.

 

I find creating my own content really satisfying, and even if this does not become my chosen career field, I would really love a computer that is capable of performing those kinds of tasks really well.

[Blowy]

I am really new to forums, in fact this is the first time I have ever posted on one. This is probably an embarrassing question, but how do you tag a person in a post?

 

Is it just like  @WoodenMarker or something like that?

[WoodenMarker]

I use Adobe CS6 products a fair amount, in particular Illustrator with some pieces having a really large number of paths (enough to make my current computer really struggle). These include Photoshop, After Effects, and InDesign. I have really just begun using 3DS Max recently, with my largest project being around 5000 polygons, however as I learn how to use the program more and are able to achieve some of my more ambitious ideas I can see that count increasing pretty fast. I would also like to use programs such as Autodesk Mudbox or ZBrush in the future.

 

I find creating my own content really satisfying, and even if this does not become my chosen career field, I would really love a computer that is capable of performing those kinds of tasks really well.

My recommendations: http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/1SYsK

Ssd for OS, programs, and scratchdisk for Photoshop/etc. Unless the amount of time you use is precious and you make money depending on how fast you complete your work or you can't have an error mid-project or mid-render, the 7950 should be quite powerful enough to work on large projects just fine.

I am really new to forums, in fact this is the first time I have ever posted on one. This is probably an embarrassing question, but how do you tag a person in a post?  

 

 

Yes, just like that.

 

There's also quote and multiquote if you want to tag one or more posts.

[Blowy]

Thanks for your help @WoodenMarker!

I'll definitely take those suggestions on board!

 

Honestly I think anything'll be an improvement on the computer I have right now.

[WoodenMarker]

Thanks for your help @WoodenMarker!

I'll definitely take those suggestions on board!

 

Honestly I think anything'll be an improvement on the computer I have right now.

What I recommended should be quite adequate for anything I imagine you're doing until you start venturing into getting a 3930k/4930k.

[MrSuperb]

Please save yourself some money and get an Haswell i7 4770k and a Z77 board together with a consumer gpu ...

edit: or what @WoodenMarker said

 

Also using a TV as monitor .... :unsure:

[WoodenMarker]

Also using a TV as monitor .... :unsure:

I forgot about the display. Get two of these: http://au.pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-monitor-vs239hp

[Blowy]

What I recommended should be quite adequate for anything I imagine you're doing until you start venturing into getting a 3930k/4930k.

 

Please save yourself some money and get an Haswell i7 4770k and a Z77 board together with a consumer gpu ...

edit: or what @WoodenMarker said

 

Also using a TV as monitor .... :unsure:

 

Yeah, I probably was moving a little too fast into products that didn't really fit my needs. Thank you for your fast advice guys.

 

As for the TV as a monitor situation, I know its not really best practice, but it was free and it works well for what I need it to do