500-700 Dollar Build - Development/Modeling

[super6]

Approximate Purchase Date: With in the next few weeks

Budget Range: 500 to 700. I'm going for the best bang for the buck too, so if 800 gets me a lot more performance for the dollar I would go that high

System Usage from Most to Least Important: This will be used for Web Development, Programming, Game Design, Modeling and Simulation, video and picture editing.

I am not sure on all the programs I will run yet (especially for Modeling) but some are: Pro E, Unigraphics, Solidworks, Catia, Matlab/Simulink, LabView, Visual Studio, XNA

Parts Not Required: Monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers, HDD (Other then a good SSD, I have multiple drives I can use for storage)

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com

Country: USA

Parts Preferences: by brand or type: I would like to use an Intel CPU & and Radeon HD Video Card

Overclocking: Yes

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080, 1920x1200

Additional Comments: I don't need or want a fancy looking case, something simple. Also future upgrade ability is a plus.

 

[aznshinobi]

i7 2600K $300 (After Promo)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115070
Asrock Extreme3 Gen3 Z68 $125
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271
Corsair 8GB DDR3 1600 $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233180
Antec 300 $50 ($15 MIR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042
Antec 620 HCG $65 ($15 MIR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371048
Total: $580 before rebates

You really don't need a graphics card, the Intel 3000 HD in the i7 2600K is fine, the real thing you'll need is the i7 2600K, since you'll get a superb CPU, a great overclocker, and hyper threading which will help with what you want to do.

 

[super6]

Thanks, for the reply. This looks like just the build. CPU vs GPU has been my biggest hang up, mainly because most reviews are game oriented and put focus on the GPU. I was looking at i5 but after reading some more do like the idea of the i7



Would the follow graphics card be a good add on to this system? It looks like a good card for a low price, and would give me some additional multi monitor support as well as some overall system robustness.

SAPPHIRE 100315L Radeon HD 6850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity

 

[aznshinobi]

Well although the i5 is good, in your case much of the apps you want to run are very demanding on the CPU, why not get the best if you can. Matlab and most simulation programs to my knowledge take a large boost in performance with the utilization of HT (Hyper Threading) in the i7's which isn't offered in the i5. Plus most simulations benefit from cores, theoretically the i7 has 8 threads as opposed to the 4 threads of the i5.

As for the 6850 it's a good card no doubt, but if you're not gaming no point in having it other than to waste money that can be used on a SSD. If you want multi-monitor I suggest just a cheapo card like this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150581
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102934

 

[super6]

I did not realize that about the Hyper threading, or really so much about the cores. My last new processor has been core 2 duo.

I think Ill take the advice and use the extra on an SSD, and cheaper card, and if I happen to start gaming or need a better gfx card then I'll look into it.

Thanks

This is the SSD I was thinking
Corsair Nova Series 2 CSSD-V60GB2 2.5" 60GB SATA II Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) - 89 with 20 MIR

 

[aznshinobi]

Not bad, but the SF-2xxx controller SSDS have really been a bit meh on the durability.
The Crucial M4 64GB has great performance but also a long lifeline
http://www.amazon.com/Crucial-64-2-5-Inch-Solid-State-CT064M4SSD2/dp/B004W2JKWG%3FSubscriptionId%3D19BAZMZQFZJ6G2QYGCG2%26tag%3Dsquid1240995-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB004W2JKWG
If you want to go cheaper though, the SF 2xxx ones have cheaper models but shorter lifespan (Though this is depending on if you get a bad one), some last it's just some have been hit and miss)

 

[super6]

Got the case, psu, motherboard, ram and cpu in and together, fired it up on a jump drive, everything is working well! ssd, disk drive, and larger heat sink are coming, then I'll really get to start digging in.

Thanks for the suggestions and help, from further research this really seems like an awesome bang for the buck build. I think I'm going to run on the built in graphics for now, and wait till one of my gamer friends wants to upgrade.

 

[aznshinobi]

Built in is your best bet, glad it came along well. Any more questions?

If not, close out the thread by selecting a Best Answer.

 

[super6]

Best answer selected by super6.