Im in the market for a tower PC that can handle quite a few things ranging from animation (Manga Studio, Photo, Coral and etc) to light to medium gaming (starcraft 2, ragnarok, Sims 3, SINS) and lots of work related stuff (database and etc). I had switched over to notebook computers quite some time ago and i feel its time i come back to having a tower PC that i can upgrade. I intend to connect the tower to a samsung lcd tv (20''-ish). Ive done quite a bit of research and there are quite alot of options out there for me but i dont want to spend more than 800 $. I have come across the LX6810-01 on bestbuy which caught my eye but not sure if its worth it. UPDATE:(Best Buy has it for 779$ and i can price match it down to 679$)
So my question are:
Is it worth it?/Good?
Are there other options?
Update: After overwhelming opinion against buying the prebuilt PC, i have taken the advice on building one of my own. Now taking advice and suggestions on what components to buy.
Thanks in advance.
agreed. Win7 RC is stable (I'm running it now)... I can only speak for 32 bit in my experience, but I'd wager same diff on 64. Before you order, check out sites like www.fatwallet.com and/or www.bing.com. These sites offer a cashback rate for those stores, so you can get additional savings going that route.
Thanks pacov, ill make sure to look into every possible savings. I know on Newegg they also offer bundled discounts so hopefully there is enough savings i can upgrade some parts here or there.
newegg is currently 2.5% cashback... fatwallet is 1.0% cashback... Good luck Nyczzz. Don't forget to troll the slickdeals link I provided earlier in this thread. If you are patient, you'll probably get a better deal within 30 days. Nice prinnie avatar, btw!
I did not see anything in the CG software that is too taxing on your CPU, unless you have or will have 3D CG software, that renders single frames as well as animation sequences. in that case, quad core is better than dual core. In CG, rendering is handled by the CPU, not the graphics card.
Graphics card is more for the gaming end, I do intend to expand to more professional animation software some time in the future which is why i would like to build a rig that isnt gonna get outdated too soon.
Any amount of savings is good, since shipping is free most of the time its even better . Prinny Dood.
Mmm, that is one serious computer. TBH, my computer only set me back 500 bucks, and it's good enough for Fallout 3 and Demigod, probably for a bit of Crysis too... What exactly are you doing with this computer again? Methinks we've gotten a bit carried away...
I hope you don't get the i7 with that motherboard..cause' if you do, have fun trying to get it to fit.
Well i put up a list of possible parts and if all the components are compatible with each other and fit under 900, then i dont see why not get the best for the money. Plus i do quite alot on my current cpu and with when i do manage to build the PC it should be current with most applications for several years, games and CG/Animation/Design softwares. Ofcourse i would like to build the best possible with the least amount of money but thats what a budget is for.
Hmm, when you mean "get it to fit" a incompatibility issue with those two components, then i wont be buying that paticular Mobo or Processor and will go with another. Thats why i have that list up there so i can get advice and help on compatibility and user reviews of the parts.
the reason servius suggested that the i7 wuld not fit th mobo is that the mobo is a socket 775 mobo but the i7 is a socket 1366 cpu
harpo
You'd be better off getting a SATA DVD Rom/burner.... faster data transfer for an equivelant price.
Ahh, thanks for that explanation, ill keep a eye out for those details.
Yeah, when looking for compatabilites between motherboards, procsesors, and RAM there are a couple different areas you need to look at:
Socket type (CPU/Motherboard):
Intel Core i7 > LGA1366
Intel Core 2 Duo/Quad > LGA775
AMD > AM2+/AM3 (AM3 processors will work in AM2+ Motherboards, AM2+ processors won't work in AM3 motherboards)
RAM Type (Motherboard/RAM):
DDR2 > LGA775 & AM2+ Motherboards (Core 2 and Most AMD)
DDR3 Dual Channel> AM3 Motherboards (Be careful with this as many Motherboards which list AM3 are actually AM2+, just AM3 compatable, but use DDR2) Also DDR3 Dual channel will work in DDR3 tri channel boards, just with lower bandwidth. (Newer AMD)
DDR3 Tri Channel > LGA1336 Motherboards (Core I7)
Video cards are basically universal unless you specifically search for a non-standrad one (Just be sure it says PCI-E)
Power Supply, just be sure it has the rated wattage for your Video Card (+ a little for efficiency) Also keep an eye out for the 80%+ efficiency ones, they are better, & be sure it has at least the correct PCI-E connector configuration for your video card. (1x6, 2x6, or 1x6 & 1x6(+2)) As a general rule, very low end video cards need no power connectors. Low-mid range need 1x6pin, Mid-upper need 2x6pin and top end need 1x6 & 1x6(+2)pin (aka 1x6 & 1x8pin)
HD & DVD drive, Get SATA not IDE
Case/Motherboard, just make sure both are ATX compatable (I'd avoid Micro ATX motherboards, although they will work with ATX)
The main thing is just matching CPU/Mobo/RAM and making sure your power supply is big enough for your video card.
Here's a decent graphics card that's not low-end and does not require a power connector... the Galaxy 9800GT Low Power with either 512mb or 1gb memory. As the name suggests, it is a low power unit and does not require a high powered/top-end PSU to run it... recommended 400w (minimum) or above.
Moreover, in comparison to the GTX200 series, it is reasonably priced, DirectX compliant and is PhysX and Cuda ready. It may not be as powerful as the GTX275, etc, but it is no slouch, either, and performs well under most conditions... and with the money you save on a GTX200 series card you could probably afford to go with the i7 instead.
Just a thought.
Thanks for the detailed explanation of everything, more and more i learn about how to put together a PC the more its starting to sound like im building a mech in a game like AC or Chromehounds lol.
Nah, not at all. It's really just a matter of making sure you mathc A's with A's, B's with B's, C's with C's etc. I probably over complicated the power supply a bit, the one I reccomended on the fist page. OCZ 700w ($80) Will work for Any ATX (standard) motherboard with and CPU & single Graphics card you may choose, as will any decent (aka not cheap-o brand) 700w+ Power Supply with a 6 & a 6+2pin conenctor, which is again what and decent power supply in that range will have.
The rest was just if you really want 2 spring for a smaller one with a smaller card you could, but I'd reccomend a good 700w basically everyone not planning on building a big SLI rig.
If you are still having trouble with compatability, just let me know which Processor type (i7, core2 duo, core2 quad, phenom) you want and what graphics card you are looking and I'll be glad to supply you with links to exact parts that are compatable & so forth.
Just for the hell of it since I'm bored (sorry for DP but it'sbeen like 6 hours ) I figured I'd throw you a list of which processors to look at depending on which line you choose. (In most cases out of the multiple processors in each catagory only 1 is really worthwhile)
Intel Core 2 Duo:
E8400 Duo 3.0/6mb > $168 Probably the most popular processor on newegg right now. The Core 2 duo comes in higher clockrates, but as with most intel processors nowadays, it makes much more sence to buy the cheapest in the line then overclock it a tad than to pay for a higher default speed.
Intel Core 2 Quad:
Q9550 Quad 2.83/12mb >$230 Same note as with the Core 2 duo, buy the cheapest full featured version and dial it up if you need more speed, the $100 more to step to the 3.0 version is crazy.
Note on Core 2's. the E5xxx, E7xxx, and Q6xxx & Q8xxx lines of core 2 are scaled back versions, that is why we go with the e8xxx and q9xxx lines
Intel i7:
i7 920 2.66 > $280 As with other intels, the cheaper version is the way to go. (This one even more so because of crazy price jumps)
AMD Phenom 2:
x4 940 3.0 > $190 Unlike Intel, with AMD we aren't going with the cheapest Phenom x4, rather the cheapest phenom x4 'Black Edition.' because of the much closer price groupings with AMD processors, getting the black edition for an unlocked multipler for even easier overclocking is a no-brainer. As far as the AM3 version, IMO it's not worth it. DDR3 kicks ass with the i7 because of tri-channel, for AMD save the $ and put it toward a better video card.
Here's a good motherboard to go with Either the Core 2 Duo or Quad:
EVGA 750i >$146 Theres a $30 mail in to bring the final cost down to $116. There many motherboards you can choose between, this is just 1 from a good brand that should have what you need + a little room to grow. (this note applies to all Motherboards)
And one for the i7:
EVGA X58 >$240 This 1 is different than what I linked before I think, but digging through them tonight all the cheaper i7 boards had something I didn't like. (Either brand, no SLI support, or only 4 channel for RAM) This 1 is the least expensive option that seems to cover all the bases. (I realise you aren't doing SLI now, but keeping you options open is never bad)
And for the Phenom 2:
Asus 750a > $135 Again, SLI just in case as with others.
And finally some Compatable RAM:
For Core 2 Duo/Quad or Phenom 2:
G.Skill 4GB Kit > $55 There are a few cheaper kits to be sure, but I prefer the 4-4-4-12 timing kits to the higher lattency memory. This is 2 2gb sticks so if you want more than 4GB RAM just buy 2 kits.
And RAM for the i7:
OCZ 6gb Kit > $110 Think this is the same kit I linked before, but it's $10 more initially, with a $20 mail in rebate now. 3 2GB sticks here, so if you want more than 6GB just buy 2 kits again.
Everything else is basically universal unless you go out of your way to buy non-standard stuff. As I said earlier, just stick to PCI-E, SATA & ATX and you'll be fine for the rest.
Thanks for that detailed list Yargnit, ill make a more refined selection of components by tonight and hopefully it will narrow down my choices and maybe ill have a final list on which i can start buying.
Lots of good input from everyone. Re: getting an SLI motherboard. At least for my purposes, I don't ever see myself choosing an SLI setup, which means getting a mobo that supports SLI is redundant. I'm happy with my Asus P5Q. If you aren't planning on using SLI, don't pay for it on your mobo unless there's a great deal. I agree re: getting a SATA DVD burner too. Regarding a PS, I think you'd want a min of 550 and above. Considering you haven't ever or haven't in some time built a rig, you can save yourself some troubleshooting pain when you actually get to the building part by being 100% sure you have more than enough power to run things. A 700watt is more than enough.
A build suggestion (once you get your parts together) - Start with a base config and then add components. Mount your motherboard and powersupply in the case along with 1 stick of ram and the cpu + fan. Connect the power header and confirm that you can post. Then, add components 1 by 1 until you are ready to install the OS. Some might think this a bit much, but that way I generally know pretty quickly if I have a problem and where it lies... of course, there's alot more to this, but just a pointer.
Worked out a build and here it is, If there is any improvements or suggestions with this build im willing to listen. Also i realize that this build puts me over budget currently So im gonna have to work my way down little by little to within the 800-900 range (700 range prefered). Anyway i hope i have everything necessary to build on this list here. I wasnt sure whether or not i needed additional fans/heatsinks aside from whats there. I know ill need some for the case but i dont know which and whats necessary for the setup. Some have heatsinks and others dont.
Intel i7 920 2.66- 279.99Asus P6T SE- 209.99Corsair XMS3 6GB DDR3 1600- 106.99PNY GeForce GTX 260 896MB- 179.99WD Caviar Black 500GB 7200RPM- 69.99HT Omega Striker 7.1 PCI Interface Sound Card- 89.99Corsair CMPSU-650TX 650W- 89.99LG DVD Burner- 24.99NZXT Guardian 921 CS-NT-GD921-B Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case- 89.99Total: $1,142 (Over Budget by 200+ Dollars)
Oh, and im working on a Quad Core build with a Intel Quad Core Q9550 and with a Nividia card GTX200 series (due to many recommendations for 260, 275's) incase i cant fit the i7 into my budget. Anyway, for those who posted their suggested builds, they really helped me as i was shopping for compatible parts and understand everything that goes into one. Heck im considered just going ahead and looking over builds already posted and take in more build suggestions and pick one that i really like (and can afford lol) and buy the parts and build it.
i think you are making a big mistake with an i7. I'm telling you, you'd be thrilled to have my rig with p5q and e8400. Your call, but you are over doing it. Ram doesn't apply as you'd need ddr 2, I like the gcard, hard drive =ok, but I'd recommend a raptor and a spare hd... I wouldn't spend the money on a scard, i ike the psu, the dvd burner is cool if its sata, and the case is your pref, but that seems a little pricey unless its cool.
Seriousy... I think you are overshooting here. I prob won't get an i7 soon and I get a new build every 4-6 months...
Haha, i figured it would a bit much. Which is why im working on a Quad Core 2, I am also working up a e8 build to compare the pricing difference in the final build. Do you think a 3.0+ e8 will be able to handle multitasking well enough?
Just one thing: professional animation/modeling software often requires a Certified Workstation Card (nVidia Quadro or ATI FireGL). These can cost you more than what you are investing in your system right now.
I am just posting so I can find this post again
@.@ yeah, those can be expensive but i will deal with those costs when i reach that point. Although studios often provide such computers for their employees at the office.
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