3D graphics computer

tiernoj · 06-24-2009, 06:15 PM

Hello I'm trying to put together a new computer using some existing parts, but mostly new things, and im not too well versed on the hardware I need by any means. I'm going to use it for 3d graphics of all sorts, but mostly I spent all my time in maya, but I wouldn't mind getting into RealFlow or Houdini at some point, as well as some after effects and some photoshop and illustrator, but that all takes a backseat to the 3d stuff. I like to do dynamic simulations like cloth simulation and water simulations which compounds things as well.

So on to the chart,

1. Budget: How much money are you willing to spend on the new build?

This is all a bit iffy but I'd like to cut it off at roughly ~800 or so

2. Brands: Are there any brands of components you want or don't want?
Whatever's good, works, cheap, etc

3. Multitasking: Will you be multitasking with this computer and if so, how much?

Yep, as much as its not a great habit, I'll often render and try and work in a second instance or have two maya windows open, or maya and a bunch of online tutorials going etc,

4. Gaming: Will you be gaming and if so, how much and how new are the games?

Yea some gaming, I'd like it if the newer games worked, but its not the priority

5. Calculations: Will you be doing any intense calculations or media encoding?

Rendering and simulation calculating mostly

6. Overclocking: Do you plan on overclocking and if so, how much?

No intention of tinkering too hard with the hardware

7. Storage: How much storage will you need and what will you be storing?

I have a couple hard drives already.

8. Legacy Support: Will you need support for older hardware like parallel, serial, or PS/2 devices?

9. Operating System: Do you want Windows XP or Vista, or Linux compatibility?

I'd like to use XP which I have already and maybe try a linux machine at some point

10. Case: Do you want help selecting a case and if so, how big do you want it?

11. Accessories: Do you want a keyboard, mouse, or other items included?

12. Recycled Components: Will you be reusing any components you already have?

Yep, already have a couple hard drives, and cd drives and a case

13. Monitor: If you want a monitor, what size do you want and should it be widescreen?

10 - 13 - I already have a case I'd like to use, a CD burner and DVD drive that are fine (but seperate so i'd need to be able to use both) two hard drives I'd like to use, and a monitor as well as all the accessories like mouse and keyboard and the like, so I guess i'm just after a motherboard/processor and maybe a new graphics card. I have a geforce 7 that plugs into an agp slot but I think those are both on the quite old side of things.

14. Stores: Do you have any online stores that you prefer to purchase from?

15. Location: What country do you live in?

The US

thanks for any help!

- Jason

**Tyree** · 06-25-2009, 11:25 AM

If you're going to be using the PC for intensive graphics rendering, go with a Quad Core CPU.
Intel Q9550 $220
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115041

ASUS P5Q Pro Turbo $130
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131377

Are your Hdd/optical drives IDE or SATA.
Newer Mobo's have One IDE connector (up to two devices).

tiernoj · 06-26-2009, 01:27 PM

My hard drives are IDE, both of them. One is rather sizable and good for just general file storage and the like but would you say it'd be worth the investment to go for a SATA drive to boot from/run most programs off, speedwise?

**Tyree** · 06-27-2009, 01:33 PM

It most certainly would. Use an SATA drive for the OS and you could use the IDE drive(s) for backup or storage.

06-24-2009, 06:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
tiernoj Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 4 OS: vista	3D graphics computer Hello I'm trying to put together a new computer using some existing parts, but mostly new things, and im not too well versed on the hardware I need by any means. I'm going to use it for 3d graphics of all sorts, but mostly I spent all my time in maya, but I wouldn't mind getting into RealFlow or Houdini at some point, as well as some after effects and some photoshop and illustrator, but that all takes a backseat to the 3d stuff. I like to do dynamic simulations like cloth simulation and water simulations which compounds things as well. So on to the chart, 1. Budget: How much money are you willing to spend on the new build? This is all a bit iffy but I'd like to cut it off at roughly ~800 or so 2. Brands: Are there any brands of components you want or don't want? Whatever's good, works, cheap, etc 3. Multitasking: Will you be multitasking with this computer and if so, how much? Yep, as much as its not a great habit, I'll often render and try and work in a second instance or have two maya windows open, or maya and a bunch of online tutorials going etc, 4. Gaming: Will you be gaming and if so, how much and how new are the games? Yea some gaming, I'd like it if the newer games worked, but its not the priority 5. Calculations: Will you be doing any intense calculations or media encoding? Rendering and simulation calculating mostly 6. Overclocking: Do you plan on overclocking and if so, how much? No intention of tinkering too hard with the hardware 7. Storage: How much storage will you need and what will you be storing? I have a couple hard drives already. 8. Legacy Support: Will you need support for older hardware like parallel, serial, or PS/2 devices? 9. Operating System: Do you want Windows XP or Vista, or Linux compatibility? I'd like to use XP which I have already and maybe try a linux machine at some point 10. Case: Do you want help selecting a case and if so, how big do you want it? 11. Accessories: Do you want a keyboard, mouse, or other items included? 12. Recycled Components: Will you be reusing any components you already have? Yep, already have a couple hard drives, and cd drives and a case 13. Monitor: If you want a monitor, what size do you want and should it be widescreen? 10 - 13 - I already have a case I'd like to use, a CD burner and DVD drive that are fine (but seperate so i'd need to be able to use both) two hard drives I'd like to use, and a monitor as well as all the accessories like mouse and keyboard and the like, so I guess i'm just after a motherboard/processor and maybe a new graphics card. I have a geforce 7 that plugs into an agp slot but I think those are both on the quite old side of things. 14. Stores: Do you have any online stores that you prefer to purchase from? 15. Location: What country do you live in? The US thanks for any help! - Jason Last edited by tiernoj; 06-24-2009 at 06:43 PM.

06-25-2009, 11:25 AM	#2 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,719 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: 3D graphics computer If you're going to be using the PC for intensive graphics rendering, go with a Quad Core CPU. Intel Q9550 $220 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115041 ASUS P5Q Pro Turbo $130 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131377 Are your Hdd/optical drives IDE or SATA. Newer Mobo's have One IDE connector (up to two devices). __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.

06-26-2009, 01:27 PM	#3 (permalink)
tiernoj Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 4 OS: vista	Re: 3D graphics computer My hard drives are IDE, both of them. One is rather sizable and good for just general file storage and the like but would you say it'd be worth the investment to go for a SATA drive to boot from/run most programs off, speedwise?

06-27-2009, 01:33 PM	#4 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,719 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: 3D graphics computer It most certainly would. Use an SATA drive for the OS and you could use the IDE drive(s) for backup or storage. __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.