|
'First time build' - Low Budget system for 3ds max & Autocad
|
|
Member
|
18. August 2008 @ 14:41 |
Link to this message
|
I'm thinking about building a desktop computer that will be optimized for use with 3ds max and autocad. I am on a very low budget so let me no if i'm wasting my time. I don't want to spend any more than £400 on components but i will buy moniter, keyboard, mouse, speakers etc out of another budget. I have never built a pc before so wouldn't no where to start. (If there is a general tutorial of pc building floating around I will be gratefull for the link.) I don't know any technical info about what i may be buying so bare with me as i will have to take the experts word for it, which is why i'm on here...
Obviously within my budget i will need the usual:
Case,
Motherboard,
CPU,
Graphics card,
RAM,
DVD writer,
Power Supply,
Fans,
HDD,
anything else vital etc.....
I will be running either xp 64-bit or vista 64-bit so that i can use 3dsmax and autocad with more than 4GB of ram. (hoping to run 8GB or whatever you reccommend as i know ram doesn't have to be expensive.)
My main aim for this build is to have a pc with fast 3d rendering power as the one i use at work isn't fast enough for what i want to acheive in the future. (although this pc is going to be for personal use)
- heres a thread i posted a while back about the pc at work so you know what i consider "SLOW" : http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/679155
I will need to render still images/scenes with ease and hope to maybe move on to some 3d moving walthroughs of things i have modelled. I have been told about the importance of graphics cards with 3d applications although i know that the CPU and Memory are of the most important for 3ds and Acad; as realtime rendering isn't too much of a problem when mostly working in wireframe. But again, i wouldn't know haha. People have also talked about 'workstation graphics cards' (which i am oblivious to??...and surely out of my budget)
I'm not really sure what is-and-isn't a good cpu, but I would like an intel quad core cpu. My reason for this is because i have heard that multi-core processors are a must for 3d rendering.
If this sounds realistic enough could someone please put together a shopping list for me and any helpfull info.
Thanks.
|
|
Advertisement
|
|
|
|
AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
|
18. August 2008 @ 15:01 |
Link to this message
|
On a low budget, you will want nothing other than a Core 2 Quad Q6600. Use Vista 64-bit, the 64-bit version of XP is nothing but trouble.
|
AfterDawn Addict
|
18. August 2008 @ 15:17 |
Link to this message
|
|
the only problem is the workstation card; they will easily kill your budget. you cannot skimp on the card, or else 3ds max and autocad won't render fast enough.
ps2: v7 scph-39001 - independence exploit - hdloader 0.8c - maxtor 300gb hdd
(+[__]%) psp slim ta-085v1: 6.60 PRO B10
wii (powered by bootmii/priiloader): 4.1u - d2x v10beta53-alt (base 56) - configurable usb loader v70r51/devolution r188 - wd scorpio black 7200rpm 320gig w/ ams venus ds2 enclosure
got a whole lot more to list . . .
|
AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
|
18. August 2008 @ 17:02 |
Link to this message
|
|
A proper workstation card costs thousands, you'll just have to make do without.
|
Member
|
18. August 2008 @ 17:05 |
Link to this message
|
I can get one for £120, will the rest make up the remaining £380 or could i stretch to a more expensive cpu?
Is a Intel Xeon Quad Core E5430 2.66GHz any good? I've just seen a used one on ebay go for just over £150. I can get a Core 2 Quad Q9450 2.66GHz for £180 from there?. These are just a suggestions of course as i don't no what the rest of the setup will cost me....like i said, i havn't got a clue. Theres so many CPU's to choose from and they're all just names and numbers to me haha.
However, if someone could provide me with a list of a compatible setup to go with the core 2 quad Q6600, that would be brilliant.
|
AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
|
18. August 2008 @ 17:07 |
Link to this message
|
|
I'm going to assume 120 is for the 6600.
If you spend 180 on a CPU you won't have enough for the rest of the stuff.
|
Member
|
18. August 2008 @ 17:10 |
Link to this message
|
|
yes i meant the Q6600 lol, i didn't realise you had posted about the workstation.
Oh rite, sounds like i'll be going for that then. What do you think i should spend on a graphics card?
|
AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
|
18. August 2008 @ 17:17 |
Link to this message
|
|
Depends how it'll fit in your budget really, like that I don't think more than about £75 will be possible, so perhaps an 8800GS.
|
Member
|
18. August 2008 @ 17:24 |
Link to this message
|
ok, thats now added to my list. I suppose it doesn't matter how much i spen on a case does it? and HDD etc?
Also, what Motherboard will be compatible?
|
AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
|
18. August 2008 @ 17:32 |
Link to this message
|
Not really, but more expensive ones are better quality. Above all make sure you pay for a decent PSU like an Antec Earthwatts, PSUs that come with cases are universally crap, unless they are the said Antec unit.
|
Member
|
18. August 2008 @ 17:38 |
Link to this message
|
|
Sorry for my ignorance you are great help, but how do i know what power supply to use? e.g. wattage?
|
AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
|
18. August 2008 @ 17:39 |
Link to this message
|
Buy an Antec Earthwatts 380W and you'll be fine.
|
Member
|
18. August 2008 @ 17:43 |
Link to this message
|
Originally posted by sammorris:
Buy an Antec Earthwatts 380W and you'll be fine.
will this be ok for the uk?
|
AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
|
18. August 2008 @ 17:45 |
Link to this message
|
|
Yes, I too am in the UK.
|
Member
|
18. August 2008 @ 17:48 |
Link to this message
|
|
oh rite, its just it seems there are alot of american users on here lol. Could you reccommend a motherboard please mate?
|
AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
|
18. August 2008 @ 18:04 |
Link to this message
|
|
Member
|
18. August 2008 @ 18:09 |
Link to this message
|
|
brilliant mate! Thanks for your help, I think i'll get ordering it tomorrow. Does the setup sound ok to you?
|
Member
|
18. August 2008 @ 18:26 |
Link to this message
|
|
|
AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
|
18. August 2008 @ 18:26 |
Link to this message
|
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 18. August 2008 @ 18:28
|
Member
|
18. August 2008 @ 18:37 |
Link to this message
|
|
Yeh I see what you mean, well I will probably end up adding the next 4GB shortly after anyway.
I really appreciate your help mate, you've been spot on.
|
AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
|
18. August 2008 @ 18:41 |
Link to this message
|
|
You're welcome, good luck with the build.
|
Member
|
18. August 2008 @ 19:45 |
Link to this message
|
|
just one more question, will 64 bit vista work with all of this hardware, and is 64 bit backward compatible with any existing 32 software i might have?
|
AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
|
18. August 2008 @ 19:47 |
Link to this message
|
|
a) yes, b) depends what software you have, most should be fine, but be wary of software that uses its own device drivers.
|
AfterDawn Addict
2 product reviews
|
18. August 2008 @ 23:37 |
Link to this message
|
64 Bit Vista works like a charm. 32bit apps work perfectly and 64bit apps are faster than 32bit apps. It's a win win situation.
|
|
Advertisement
|
|
|
Member
|
19. August 2008 @ 02:05 |
Link to this message
|
|
ok, thanks for the help
|
