[Cage]

Hello everyone!

Just wanted to get some information, because I'm thinking about building a PC, most likely in 2 or 3 months.

I'm not a tech guy so help would be really appreciated - especially since I have no idea what to pick motherboard and psu wise, for example. I wouldn't mind being able to play some games, but performance in 2d/3d graphic applications is a priority. Also, I'd like to know if I'll be able to meet my requirements in the budget - whether I should cut down or just save more money But yeah, looking for a good trade-off, since I'd like to get a new computer as soon as possible.

Here's the list

• Budget: 1000€
  
• Procesor: i7, not sure which model though. I'm a pussy scared by overclocking, so I'd rather get something good out of the box.
  
• Ram: 16gigs, expandable to 32 in the future
  
• Hard drive: 200-300gb SSD
  
• GPU: no friggin' idea Guess I'm stuck to NVIDIA since their cards can boost applications? (CUDA cores and what-not?) I guess GPU is the lowest priority in this build
  
• Motherboard which will hold everything together. No idea about tech spec, but I'm thinking about sticking to ASUS since the last board from them worked perfectly for me - AsRock is out, I've had terrible experience with that.
  
• Pretty solid PSU. How much power do I need? Will 650W be enough?
  
• A solid case, I don't care about fancy design, would be great if I could get one smaller than usual (unless it will be a lot worse air-flow wise etc., in that case I don't care). USB 3.0 ports, but that's obvious and everything has them now
  
• Blu-ray reader/dvd burner
  
• Wireless network card (or as a part of motherboard)
  
• I'll want to get a system as well. Win 8.1?

So yeah, the main thing is that I want to calculate this if I'll make it in the budget and can't really do that without a lock on specific parts - what am I supposed to do, select a motherboard at random?

Also, I'm not sure if I'll be getting a normal PC or a Notebook - it's possible that I will move to another country and doing that with a notebook is a lot easier. Then again, a normal standalone PC means a lot better performance and bang for your buck.

Any information appreciated, thanks!

[Inspector Lagomorf]

2D/3D graphical applications - so it sounds more like you want a workstation rather than a gaming PC, and there's a mountain of difference in the hardware you'll need for either (not to mention workstation GPUs are EXTREMELY expensive).

Could you be more specific about what applications you'd be using? AutoCAD, Blender, etc?

[Cage]

The trouble is probably won't be able to afford a real workstation computer any time soon - from what I've seen, usually those have a dedicated rendering GPU and a dual processor rig with quad or even hex core Xeons (which also requires a specific type of motherboard)

As for software: Adobe Creative Suite and 3dStudio Max, something for sculpting in the future - Zbrush or Mudbox

[Duke of Hazzard]

SSD: Samsung 850 Evo.

You could get Windows 8.1 now and upgrade to 10 for free later.

[Cage]

Okay guys, seems that I'm really doing too serious work for the laptop that I'm using and I need to get a PC ASAP. The performance is pretty bad and I've got a bad feeling that it won't last long under this load.

I've decided to cut-down some things to be able to afford it this month and then just get the missing components. - I've decided to get a GPU at a later date (and stick with the integrated graphics chipset for the time), and I'm getting only 8gb ram at first (To be expanded to 16 and then 32). I hope it's not a super terrible idea.

Here's the image of a shopping basket I've assembled at a local store. Any comments? I have no idea about motherboards - I've checked all information on compatibility and from what I've read, this one should work with the CPU and the rest of the parts, but I'm not sure if that's the best board in this case/price range?



I will also need a wi-fi receiver. Should I get a PCI-antenna card, or just an USB receiver will be enough?

Big thanks!

[Forge]

want to save a little money, get the hyperX fury red instead of the black. Exact same thing, but less popular just because of the color.

[Inspector Lagomorf]

Cage, on 14 April 2015 - 01:54 PM, said:

I will also need a wi-fi receiver. Should I get a PCI-antenna card, or just an USB receiver will be enough?

Big thanks!

Depends on your Internet speed and how much range you need.
Personally, I'd also get G.Skill RAM if available over Kingston. It'll deliver more bang for your buck, as we say.

Edit:

Quote

I've decided to get a GPU at a later date (and stick with the integrated graphics chipset for the time), and I'm getting only 8gb ram at first (To be expanded to 16 and then 32). I hope it's not a super terrible idea.

That will become your biggest chokepoint. You must have a video card at minimum if you mean to do any sort of graphical applications or gaming. Even a GT 8600 is better than no video card at all.

[Cage]

Comrade Major, on 15 April 2015 - 07:44 AM, said:

That will become your biggest chokepoint. You must have a video card at minimum if you mean to do any sort of graphical applications or gaming. Even a GT 8600 is better than no video card at all.

I know. The trouble is that I need a PC NOW. I know the integrated chips suck, but I will have to work on one and just get a GPU as soon as possible. Not sure about getting "anything" just to have it - I've checked few benchmarks and seems that Intel HD 4600 is comparable to a 9800. Currently I'm working on an i3, Intel HD graphics notebook, I'm sure the new PC will be a huge improvement even without a dedicated GPU for the time being.

As for getting a GPU, I'm considering getting a 750 ti and upgrading that in few months, or getting a 960. I want CUDA cores, so I have to stick to nVidia.

I'll check the prices for the G.Skill ram. As for wi-fi, my router is in another room - I usually get 3/5 range on my notebook.

Thanks!

[Hendricks266]

Cage, on 15 April 2015 - 11:06 PM, said:

As for wi-fi, my router is in another room - I usually get 3/5 range on my notebook.

I personally run a ~30m cat 5e cable from my router to my PC, via hooks in the ceiling that the previous tenant used to hang Christmas lights.

[Duke of Hazzard]

Cage, on 14 April 2015 - 01:54 PM, said:

I will also need a wi-fi receiver. Should I get a PCI-antenna card, or just an USB receiver will be enough?

I use an USB receiver and it does the job fine, but then my PC is located closest to the router than my other devices. I get full DL and UL speed. My receiver is a cheapo Realtek one.

[Forge]

Cage, on 14 April 2015 - 01:54 PM, said:

I will also need a wi-fi receiver. Should I get a PCI-antenna card, or just an USB receiver will be enough?

they cost generally the same and you can get usb receivers with antenna

i'd say go with a usb w/antenna. that way you can plug it into the front or the back of the tower depending on how you have it placed at your work station / desk.

[Person of Color]

I'd recommend the highest quality adapter you can get. Interface is irrelevant.

I have a Netgear WNA3100 I got for free and it's the fastest 2.4GHz 802.11n adapter I've ever used.

The 802.11ad card in my Latitude shits on it though. 5GHz 802.11n and I'm pulling 12.3 MB/s on Steam. Fucking amazing. LITERALLY maxing out my modem! Seriously, why the fuck would anyone buy a Chinkpad at this point?!