High-End personal Workstation Guidance

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A **TWENTY PAK** of CASE FANS !!! I think they come in 5-paks ...
Click to expand...

Haha... I believe the R4-BMBS-20PK-R0 was just the part number, not actually implying a 20pak. I followed the link that you suggested on p.2 of this forum. It looks like your second reply is the same link...

... Better go with a 750 watt corsair ....
Click to expand...

Ok, how about this one:
CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

... You might need some video cables and one extramSATA drive fata cable ...
Click to expand...
The monitors come HDMI-DVI cables...

No idea what to pick for the SATA cables, basically picked at random:
Nippon Labs Premium 18" (1.5 ft.) SATA II Cable with locking latch for SATA I and SATA II Hard Drive Model SATA-L0.5-R
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812816027&cm_re=SATA_drive_cable-_-12-816-027-_-Product

Any better ideas?

... Need to check the connnectors, ion gpu and monitors ... also check length.
Click to expand...

I will double check.


Thank you for finding my case fans! Did you have a suggestion on the SSDs?
Crucial RealSSD 128GB SATA III SSD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820148348
-OR-
OCZ Vertex 2 90GB SATA II SSD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820227601
Click to expand...

Thank you!
 
If you have ANY technical issues, be sure to consult this TS guide ...
... Everything that I know (and several other techs) is in it ...
It *DOES* solve over 90% of probs with any new build (or failure).
... KEEP IT HANDY !!
...READ *BEFORE* BUILDING !
***********************************

PERFORM THESE STEPS before posting about boot/no video problems!

"System won't boot" and "no video output" checklist


This checklist is a compilation of troubleshooting ideas from many forum members. It's very important to actually perform every step in the checklist if you want to effectively troubleshoot your problem.

1. Did you carefully read the motherboard owners manual?

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261145-31-perform-steps-posting-boot-video-problems

***************************************************

Also, this is our builder's guide ...

AGAIN ... READ *BEFORE* BUILDING !

Step-by-Step Guide to Building a PC
Last Updated on November 6, 2010

This thread is to provide a step-by-step guide to how to build a PC. These are the general steps required in building a PC, which can be performed what sequence you feel best fits your needs.

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/274745-31-step-step-guide-building


 
Yeah ... should come loaded ... shoulda mentionned that ...

... I just figgered that there was room for more ... some folks get a little freaky, about cooling ... others are picky about noise ... Some folks insist on RAID ...

... I generally do not try to veto minor over-choices, when they will only improve performance or reliability, even if the ROI is minimal.

... People tend to "LIKE" their system more if their personal foibles are addressed ...
... The fans are not needed ... They are very cheap and won't hurt a thing ... might even help the spinners live longer, etc ... so ... "What-the-hey?" .

But it comes with plenty of fans ... Dedicated drive fans are not a bad idea, tho.

I do not load my own builds up with fans ... And I would prefer you build this x58 CHEAP, and save your monies for more critical (current) needs, or for future builds and upgrades.


.

 
Oh god you guies ...

This thread is fantastic, but I'm completly confused. Last time I was "up to date" in computer hardware was longer than 5 years ago, and I wasn't all that knowledgeable (I was in my teens, afterall)

Most of this thread is computer parts and I'm utterly depressed of being illeterate in their specs anymore. (I usually need to deal with crappy hardware, and specialised in optimising the workflow and the people behind the keyboards rather than the machines)

I feel like I could spend a week in fulltime trying to build a machine for my needs and have Alvin make something exponentially better under an hour while facepalming. [I kinda relate to the OP] It's like I'm in presence of digital messiahs.


I need a "workstation" that will run After-Effect for TV and Theatre productions, and high res photoshop. It also needs to be at least upgradeable in the near future (a year or two) to run Maya and Mudbox at good performances [I can't afford those last two just yet, especially after buying a machine]. Flash will run if these runs so it's a non-issue.

I'd be lying if a good half of the time ain't gonna be spent gaming though, and that for once in my life I can afford a high-end-ish machine, I want to be able to run games at max settings for a good while... but most importantly dwarf fortress at a consistant 100fps [if that's even possible at all]


I'll understand if I'm told to get lost or anything similar, but I'd value your input a great deal. Budget is "ideally around 2k, I guess I can to 3k". Ideally, a powerfull base on which I can upgrade the rest for a few years.

(I was kinda ok with shitty hardware until I moved in with my new roomate, who has a pretty sweet machine, and that the boss' husband brought his frikkin 16core workstation at the studio...)
 




Either of the last two full builds, on this thread, will do exactly all that, and very well ...
... I might add an OCZ 120GB RevoDrive, and upgrade your GPU to a GTX580 and your PSU to a 850Watt Corsair or Seasonic ... But The last build, on this thread, should work just fine (with these changes) ... The RevoDrive is, of course, optional ... but it would make for a speedy edit environment.

As far as the 100 fps goes ... you may wish to run TWO GTX 570s, in SLI ... I dunno ... but if you do, be sure to run your full config thru the eggy power calculator to be sure yer PSU is appropriate.

.




 


Well, ... I, for one, am NO Messiah !!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zjz16xjeBAA&feature=related


These hep-cats seem to think THEY are "all that", tho ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4m48GqaOz90


And, a few clips, from The Matrix, and Reloaded, come to mind ...
... but the whole Matrix Thing has been a bit over-played, so I shall spare "thee".

Come to think of it, Boom-Boom-Pow has also been over-played ... but pretty cool, anyways.





.
 
Which one would you personnally suggest, of the two?

Also, I made a quick search for what the RevoDrive was... and I'm shocked. Did I read right and the thing is indeed a RAIDed twin SSD hard drives? Thing sounds amazing, though 120go sounds fairly small. I use it to install the OS, major programs and a virtual memory buffer, while archiving works and games on a separate hard drive, is that it?



I know you meant well, but dwarf fortress looks like this :
ground.png
The thing is simply excessively CPU hungry (running an artifical real world in real time and all). I don't think graphic cards will solve this haha.

--edit--

Oh wait, no, using the revo as a virtual memory would probably wear the thing down rapidly, right?
 
Well, I don't think you can do much better than an X58(OC), for CPU power, without going to a dual-proc (ws) mobo ... so ... live with it ...

... Make your build identical to the *last* build ... Go with 12GB of 1333c8 ram ...
... Corsair 750Watt ...
... Revo is for edit progs and project media + output renders ... perfect, for that ...

... You can assign 4GB of Main DRAM (as a RAM DRIVE) for temp files, iffin yuh wanna get fancy ...

... GTX 570 ... JUST ONE !

A HAF 922 case should be about perfect ... or an Antec 300 Illusion ...

Go with the Hyper212+ cooler and the *MATCHED* RPM/CFM CM Fan, that I spec's on the last build, for push-pull OC cooling.

READ THRU THE LAST BUILD .. to get all pertinent advice.



 
Get a Vertex2 or INTEL XM25 of 90GB, or greater, for boot/OS/utils ...

... Use a spiner or a REVO drive for your actual premium edit (CURRENT PROJECT) ...

... Move your current project (from the REVO) to a spinner, for archive, once final output is complete.
 
Logitech 920-000914 Black 106 Normal Keys USB Wired Ultra-thin Illuminated Keyboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126043&cm_re=logitech_illuminated-_-23-126-043-_-Product

YAY!! ... For those who have been following ...

I have been recommending ONLY this exact kb since I purchased my first one, about 20 months ago ....

The first died, due to a nasty coffee spill ... The second one died, because I tripped over the wire, in the dark, on the way back from the potty (huhuhuh ... he said "potty") ...
(it was the 107th time I tripped over the wires, as I have 10 foot extensions to my studio sofa-bed and, the last time I kicked it, it flew into a cinder-block and keys flew off the 10-key-#pad ... so ... [shrug].

ANYwho ... Tho this is one of the most delicate KBs, on the market ... It is HANDS DOWN (no pun) *THE* best kb on the planet ... bar none (IMO) <<< !

Best feel and certainly the best looks ('specially, in the darknezz ....) ...

I am *SO* hooked on this amazing feel (more speed, way less fatique), that I just purchased TWO more ... just to have a spare, in reserve (like a great pair of boots!) ....

BETTER STILL ? ... BEST-BUY now has them on sale for $65 + local tax !!!

The media (volume controls, etc.) come in VERY handy when the occasional YouTube vid starts BLARING (way above normal record levels), at 3am, in this condo building ...

Rush out to BestBuy if you always wanted an insanely elegant and ergonomic, full-feqatured and programmable kb ... The VP of any corporation would be way proud!

$65 ... IF they have any left ... I recommend the WIRED version, if you can get it.

WARNING ... SERIOUS GAMERS AVOID ... Not a great gaming kb and you will kill it kwik.

GRAD STUDENTS (starving or otherwise) ? ... Get this ! You will never have another "INCOMPLETE".

***********************************************

... If you can't afford it ?? A $6 used DELL kb is the next best thing ... really ! Used DELL optical mice are also great ... They just work ... and "well".

**********************************************










 


It's probably too late now (I've been out of town and haven't checked in here 'till now) plus I'm on dial-up at the moment and can't check the monitor part numbers you picked, but are you sure about the monitors? I may be wrong, but I would think one really good IPS type monitor and one cheap one would be preferable to two TFT monitors, depending on what you're doing.

Just a thought.
 
CASE = Lancool PC-K62 - Mid tower = $118
MOBO = ASUS Rampage III Formula = $299
PSU = COOLER MASTER Silent Pro Gold Series RSA00-80GAD3-US 1000W = $199
CPU = Intel Core i7 950 3.06GHz = $298
CPU COOLER = Cooler Master RR-B10-212P-G1 Hyper 212 Plus = 25.74
RAM = Mushkin Redline Frostbyte 998805 (2X triple 12 gig total) = $205
GPU's = MSI N460GTX Cyclone 1GD5/OC 1GB (2X in SLI) = $418

total build cost
289 =cpu
118 =case
418 =gpu's
199 = psu
25.74 = cpu cooler
218.05 = ram
299 = mobo
_____
1566.79
-100 amazon gift cards
-50 statement credit for purchasing with amazon credit card
______
1416.79


I have a $1500 budget
I'm building the system for 3D animation, Image processing (adobe), Video Editing (Adobe), Gaming. In order from most important to least.
I will be getting an SSD later unless you guys think a spinning raid would be better. I have 0 experience with raid so I'd prefer a 1 drive boot setup with an extra drive for storage. I have several sata drives laying around that i can use while waiting for an ssd deal.

Ive read 2 gtx 460 outperform a 580 hence my decision for 2X 460. I will be running duel monitors and again i have 0 experiences with SLI so i'm unsure if i have the best solution here. Quadro is not in my budget at the moment.

I know my PSU is WAY overkill but my logic is.... i can use it for the next major upgrade, I will have plenty of power to add another video card and OC or water cool. I may add more stuff later like a nice sound card and who knows what else. I already bought it lol.

I have bought all parts except for the mobo. Everything is in transit except the case and mobo.

I feel like i have maxed out everything as much as i can on my budget. Probably could have saved on the PSU but at 199 GOLD CERT shipped I don't think i made a mistake.

PLEASE SUGGEST IF YOU THINK I SHOULD MAKE A CHANGE.
 
Gosh ... I see a few thousand words of typing, in my immediate future ...
... Should I commit to "talking this one thru" ?? ... Not sure, yet ... but ...

... Get a 90GB SSD **FIRST** ... Next ... A 570 ...
... You won't need the RAMPAGE for X16 + X16 ...
... 1000Watts is overkill ... WAY ...
... 850 Watts will address any alternate future, except for the one you imagine.

That's just for starters .... Sigh.
 


Right, for GAMES. But as I understand it, current versions of Adobe software will NOT be able to take advantage of more than one video card. It will not hurt the performance, but it won't help either. So it doesn't make any sense at all for your system.

Look here: http://forums.adobe.com/message/3099305#3099305
 


I only wish I could have kept the computer and the two video cards longer so I could have tested them with Premier. I KNOW a lot of people would love to have seen that comparison.
 

I figured i would get flack for the 1kw.
What do you mean i wont need the RAMPAGE for X16 + X16. Are you saying i shouldn't run sli? I'm just not sure what you mean by this comment. I'm not disagreeing. It just seems like a killer board to me.

I dont see 570 on the list. Did i miss something? Did u mean 470?

Right, for GAMES. But as I understand it, current versions of Adobe software will NOT be able to take advantage of more than one video card. It will not hurt the performance, but it won't help either. So it doesn't make any sense at all for your system.

Look here: http://forums.adobe.com/message/3099305#3099305
Click to expand...
Is it a really big difference having a card on the list vs the hack? I don't really want to return my 460's just for a 470 if i could hack the 460 to make work. Are games the only thing that benefits from SLI? Just to be clear Adobe, Maya, Max, and motion builder will see no benefit from SLI?

I should have research if SLI worked in 3d aps and adobe. UGH I assumed it would. WRONG
I really don't game much.

So i guess where i'm at now is; Should i just go ahead and hack to get the 460 to work?
OR
Return the video cards and PSU and get better options? I think i can return them with no restocking fee. Im in no hurry but i'm a little impatient :)


Ive got my eye on this ssd
http://www.mushkin.com/Digital-Storage/SSDs/MKNSSDCL90GB-DX.aspx
or one of the c300 128gb
 


Return 2 460's, trade for 570, get 50 bucks back in your pocket PLUS get better performance and there is no rush? Hmm... Even I'M not that impatient!
 
Your right. So should i go for the evga or gigabyte version of the 570 in your opinion.
Now going with a 1 video card setup i feel like i should return the psu as well and go with a more reasonable solution since recommended power for my setup with one 570 is only 650. but if i add a second 570 i'm up at 850.
I'd only save 50 by going down to a 800 silent pro gold.
maybe i should just eat it and stick with the 1kw
 
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