Jump to content
SAU Community

Recommended Posts

ok, PC is 6+ years old now, i think, and it's just not quite coping anymore unfortunately time for upgrade!

Been out of the parts/pc game for a while, so have not much clue what's going on these days.

Don't have a budget at this stage, but i'm imagining a trip to MSY and either build it myself, or pay them the $50 to build it.

Requirements:

-I'm not a gamer

-3D (maya, etc)

-Motion graphics (After effects, etc)

-Capable of video editing

-Flash (meh)

-Photoshop

-Maybe some Objective C type work, but can't imagine object o programming has gotten resource hungry these days?

-Windows 7

I have a Dell 24" monitor, but not sure whether to go 2 x 24" Dell or 1 x 30" something... or a 1 x 30", 1 x 20" Portrait ;)

PC is in my room, so quietness is important.

Some thoughts i had..

- quad core (and maybe overclock? never done this, but i like making my car go faster :))

- 6gb ram or maybe 12?

- perhaps a small SSD? like a 30gb one?? for video editing?

and that's probably the extent of my knowledge. What's the cheapest i could get away with all this and what do y'all recommend?? Happy to buy 2nd hand stuff too

arigato!!

  • Replies 115
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

www.digitalstar.com.au

got my pc made there, i just chose the parts, been a month and no probs..... as good as any other place i supose

Budget is a much better guide to a system build than 'I want it to do this stuff'. The only part of your list of uses that will change the hardware is if you want hardware acceleration for Maya (what version?) and etc, listing what the etc is is probably a good idea as different programs can use different hardware acceleration.

FYI you are then looking at workstation cards which, for a recent one, will be $1-2k by itself.

Edited by DivHunter
^ Agreed.

Set the budget and go from there. You could build ANY system to do the above and spend $1500 or $2500 - the $2500 will obviously do it a lot better :)

I reckon I could spec a $5-10k one that would be pretty sweet ;) high end ram drives, multiple workstation GPUs, 7 pci-e slot mobo, i7 extreme, 12+ GB DDR3 2200 MHz RAM

I need some alone time.

hahahahah - well i am behind the times, never heard of a workstation card.

i dunno, say... $1500? Want to get it through my dad's work whilst the tax/rebate thingy is still kicking around

actually, that maybe bump the budget up... it's 30% isn't it?

^ never heard of either ;)

well if you say a workstation cards is $1k+ on it's own... it's probably going to be outside my budget :) (unless all the other components can be had for around the same price)

i did multimedia at uni, but have been out of it for a few years and looking to get back in. Maya was the preferred 3d program, and i liked after effects for motion graphics.

I'm sure there are a lot more programs out there now, but these would be where i would start to get back in.

As for version? whatever the latest is i suppose.

well.. put it this way, what sort of $$ are we looking for a very good graphics card (non-workstation) and is the price difference between that and a workstation card justifiable?

^ never heard of either ;)

well if you say a workstation cards is $1k+ on it's own... it's probably going to be outside my budget :) (unless all the other components can be had for around the same price)

i did multimedia at uni, but have been out of it for a few years and looking to get back in. Maya was the preferred 3d program, and i liked after effects for motion graphics.

I'm sure there are a lot more programs out there now, but these would be where i would start to get back in.

As for version? whatever the latest is i suppose.

well.. put it this way, what sort of $$ are we looking for a very good graphics card (non-workstation) and is the price difference between that and a workstation card justifiable?

If you're not gaming at all a good consumer graphics card is pointless, they don't support hardware acceleration for 3D rendering apps in general. Probably a 5750 or 5770 would be the go for good price / performance at the lower end of the market but you could go pretty cheap and get more CPU grunt instead as that will be doing most of the work without a workstation type card.

aaaahh... i was thinking the graphics card would be needed mostly for the 3d stuff...

so the things i'm interested in, digital imaging (photoshop), flash, 3d, motion graphics... the speed of these things are more determined by the cpu as opposed to the graphics card?

hmm... is there any sense in buying an ok cpu and workstation card? or more sense to buying a really good cpu, and an average consumer graphics card?

Photoshop CS4 uses GPU acceleration.

As do the other programs you mentioned, but they don't don't lean as heavily on it as games do. A faster processor will see you with more gains if you're not gaming...

I also came to the realisation that I have a shitty old computer and dropped over 4k on new parts just yesterday including:

case

PSU

CPU

ram

2 HDD's

vid card

mobo

water cooling gear

It's in my room too and my current one runs hot and is bloody noisy so I went with the water cooling for peaceful sleep.

CS4 is one of those special cases where consumer and workstation cards will accelerate it.

The truth is that workstation and consumer cards are VERY similar and it's merely the software behind them (drivers) and the support from developers that lets the manufacturers charge massive amounts for cards meant for business.

Edited by DivHunter

case = thermaltake armor +

PSU = 1000watt corsair

CPU = i7 920

ram = 6GB Dominator 1600

2 HDD's = Falcon G Skill2 (SSD's)

vid card = EVGA GTX295 Co-Op

mobo = EVGA X58

water cooling gear = blocks for cpu, mobo and vid card... pump, radiator etc

plenty good and plenty of room for later upgrades :rofl:

The only thing there that isn't basically the best of the best is the CPU (overclock ftw) and the Mobo... but I don't feel like spending $700 on 4 way SLI that I'll never use.

GPU - $700

i7 920 - $400

RAM - $270

mobo - $350

PSU - $330

Case - $250

SSD's (assuming 64gb?) - $550

$2800... so another $600-$700 or so depending on what blocks? should be a nice setup either way :rofl:

fun times putting that together!

case = thermaltake armor +

PSU = 1000watt corsair

CPU = i7 920

ram = 6GB Dominator 1600

2 HDD's = Falcon G Skill2 (SSD's)

vid card = EVGA GTX295 Co-Op

mobo = EVGA X58

water cooling gear = blocks for cpu, mobo and vid card... pump, radiator etc

plenty good and plenty of room for later upgrades :rofl:

The only thing there that isn't basically the best of the best is the CPU (overclock ftw) and the Mobo... but I don't feel like spending $700 on 4 way SLI that I'll never use.

5970 @1GHz performs about the same as GTX295 in Quad-SLi

And Thermaltake armour, seriously.

Edited by DivHunter

no 5970 in stock, and it costs a thousand dollars... seeing as how I said I WON'T be doing quad SLI, I don't see the need for the extra money...

and yes, seriously, have a cry... sorry it's not a Lian-li filing cabinet...

GPU - $700 - close enough

i7 920 - $400 - close enough

RAM - $270 - not close at all

mobo - $350 - close

PSU - $330 - close again

Case - $250 - way off (this price includes most of the watercooling gear though, I'm just upgrading a lot of it)

128Gb SSD's - try again? :rofl:

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now



  • Similar Content

  • Latest Posts

    • That is surely the biggest gathering of Stageas in North America, ever!
    • Remember kids - if you can't afford to buy 2 GTRs......
    • I know people cry at the price of the Getrag 12-14k for a conversion now, but it really is a nice mid point. Not going to get change from 10k on a gearset installed.  $30k++ for sequential.   I know you run the risk of a damaged used one and parts are hard to get but as a street car gearbox its really hard to beat. If you enjoy a more traditional manual, its the choice no question.     
    • Time to decide what’s more import, your power level or your budget because you’re going to struggle to keep both 
    • Our Southern Highlands Cruise is proudly registered with “R U OK?” Day.  Sometimes the best way to check in on your mates is by getting out for a drive together. Sharing a common passion like cars creates the perfect space to chat, connect, and support each other.  A simple “R U OK?” can make all the difference. Let's enjoy the drive, the company, and look out for one another. PLEASE WEAR YELLOW FOR “R U OK?” DAY Sunday 14th September 2025 9:30AM Meeting Crossroads Homemaker Centre 10:00AM Cruise Departure Via Old Hume Hwy 11:45AM Arrival at Mittagong RSL Club Meet Location: Crossroads Homemaker Centre Final Destination: Mittagong RSL Club *Disclaimer* There will be a lead and follow car so no one should get lost. If you would like to attend or bring others along please put your name down and a +1 as numbers will be needed prior! This is NOT a race and we will all be adhering to all road rules. If this is what you want please come to one of our many track days. This is an official SAU:NSW event and will be run under a CAMS permit. One of the things that really sets our club apart is our commitment to being true enthusiasts. When on normal roads we strive to maintain good relations with the authorities as well as the public in general. When attending one of Skylines Australia NSW events please try to: • Be aware of surrounding environment and act accordingly. • Drive courteously on the state’s roads as a true enthusiast should. • Understand how important it is to maintain the good name of SAU NSW and thus, treat others accordingly. • Any misbehavior will not be tolerated and you will be asked to leave.
×
×
  • Create New...