I need help building a computer!

[Dalerjr94]

Hello! I hear Tomshardware.com is the Gold standard for getting advice to help build a PC.

I need help building a computer. I have always been interested in computers and know a bit about them. But I don't know enough to build one. I do quite a bit of Photo Shop and I'm now getting into After Effects CC but my poor laptop struggles to handle it at points. Some of my current specs are:

Laptop
OS: Windows Pro 8.1
Processor: AMD A8-4500M APU with Radeon(tm) HD Graphics 1.90 GHz
RAM: 6.00 GB (5.47 GB usable)
System type: 64-bit Operating System, 64x-based processor

I need something that can handle programs such as Photoshop, After Effects, and other adobe programs that can be quite taxing on processing needs. I'm am completely serious about getting into video editing and am willing to spend the cash. I would like to try to see what I can get at different budget ranges for example, $1000, $1500, $2000, etc. I am also trying to figure out if I should get a Desktop or a Laptop. I like the mobility but probably will be doing 90% of editing at home. But I know desktops can pull more weight and be more cost effective. I came up with a genius plan (Which I'm not to sure if it's really is genius, let me know if there is a downfall) Say I get a Desktop, since Remote Desktop is just a window to another computer and none of the "real" processing is done on the PC the user is physically using, but done on the PC they are remote controlling; I could use my current laptop and access my desktop via Remote Desktop over WIFI so I can be editing on my laptop (away) using it as the remote control while my desktop is at home cranking out all the processing. Genius? or to good to be true? Anyways, can somebody help me out or send me in a certain direction to help me build this thing? I know this is a bit lengthy so Thanks for your time!!! - Dale

 

[inzone]

http://pcpartpicker.com/

This site can help with building a computer on paper and then ordering the parts once you've decided on what you want. Here is an example;

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($337.98 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus Maximus VI Hero ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($189.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($192.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($128.53 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($109.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card ($515.91 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 750D ATX Full Tower Case ($139.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: SeaSonic G-750 750W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.99 @ Microcenter)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - OEM (64-bit) ($94.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1885.34
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-01-22 00:14 EST-0500)

This is an example of a high end Pc for video editing and gaming.

 

[Dalerjr94]

http://pcpartpicker.com/

This site can help with building a computer on paper and then ordering the parts once you've decided on what you want. Here is an example;

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($337.98 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus Maximus VI Hero ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($189.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($192.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($128.53 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($109.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card ($515.91 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 750D ATX Full Tower Case ($139.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: SeaSonic G-750 750W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.99 @ Microcenter)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - OEM (64-bit) ($94.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1885.34
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-01-22 00:14 EST-0500)

This is an example of a high end Pc for video editing and gaming.

Awesome! So this PC above should get me by smoothly with the programs I am running?

Also would you happen the know about my Remote Desktop inquiry?

Also I forgot to mention. At some point I would like to setup up dual monitors. Will this setup support that?

 

[Outlander_04]

I think you can probably be editing images online anyway without your own host machine .
http://www.photoshop.com/tools

But if you want a machine for use at home its easy to build a massively more powerful computer than your laptop

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2FsaA

no gaming capability , but well in budget even once you have added an operating system , and probably bigger/more hard drives

 

[inzone]

I have not had the occasion to try the remote desktop in the manor that you described. I would say that it should work since it is a remote access.

The build I listed will support up to three monitors.

 

[Dalerjr94]

I have not had the occasion to try the remote desktop in the manor that you described. I would say that it should work since it is a remote access.

The build I listed will support up to three monitors.

Thanks! Two more quick questions:

1. How about throwing in a SSD for the OS and using the HD in the parts list as a slave drive? Would that be fine with this setup, if so, any SSD suggestions?

2. Will this case work as a substitute for the one in the parts list? Just want to be sure it will accommodate all the components.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/230994079856?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

 

[inzone]

The case is fine and as with all case choices it's more of a preference then a necessary choice.

As far as the SSD if you look at my parts list you will see that I listed a Samsung SSD along with the WD Caviar Black HDD.

 

[Dalerjr94]

The case is fine and as with all case choices it's more of a preference then a necessary choice.

As far as the SSD if you look at my parts list you will see that I listed a Samsung SSD along with the WD Caviar Black HDD.

Sweet, I didn't even see that! Your the man! Thanks again! - January 22nd, 2014

 

[Dalerjr94]

The case is fine and as with all case choices it's more of a preference then a necessary choice.

As far as the SSD if you look at my parts list you will see that I listed a Samsung SSD along with the WD Caviar Black HDD.

Okay, I've been doing to a little more looking around and I have few more things I would like to check out.

1. I want to increase the 1TB to a 3TB. This is the drive I was looking at, exceptable?
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/barracuda-3tb-internal-serial-ata-hard-drive-for-desktops/3371132.p?id=1218396591168&skuId=3371132&st=categoryid$pcmcat270900050001&cp=1&lp=2

2. I would like to consider water cooling. Would you recommend/not recommend it? If so any suggestions?

3. I would also like to add another identical SSD and Raid 0 them. I would be installing just the OS, software, and games on it and keep my important files on the 3TB HD. Again, your comments?

 

[inzone]

1. The drive is ok to use as a storage drive.

2. To start out in water cooling you should get one of the closed loop cooler like the H-100i from Corsair. Doing a custom loop with putting together the separate components can be a challenging thing. There are a lot of parts and it takes a great deal of patience to put it together right. Once you do start and figure it out it becomes easier to do and is an enjoyable experience.
However water cooling can be expensive. I have been water cooling my computers for a long time now.

3. I have tried to do the SSD raid setup and it does work but the SSD is fast enough on it's own that it's not necessary to do a raid , if you want a faster SSD then go with a Pci-e SSD.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100008120 50001315&IsNodeId=1

 

[Dalerjr94]

1. The drive is ok to use as a storage drive.

2. To start out in water cooling you should get one of the closed loop cooler like the H-100i from Corsair. Doing a custom loop with putting together the separate components can be a challenging thing. There are a lot of parts and it takes a great deal of patience to put it together right. Once you do start and figure it out it becomes easier to do and is an enjoyable experience.
However water cooling can be expensive. I have been water cooling my computers for a long time now.

3. I have tried to do the SSD raid setup and it does work but the SSD is fast enough on it's own that it's not necessary to do a raid , if you want a faster SSD then go with a Pci-e SSD.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100008120 50001315&IsNodeId=1

Awesome, thanks for the info!

By the way, I tried to check out that New Egg link but the page displays "We have found 0 items that match "". "

 

[inzone]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820785002

Try this link.

 

[Dalerjr94]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820785002

Try this link.

Do you think the bump up in price is worth it? Does it make a clear deference in speed?

 

[inzone]

A pci-e SSD is a lot faster , read 830 Mbps and write 810 Mbps vs a regular SSD of 540Mbps read and 520 Mbps write. A Pci-e SSD bypasses the Sata controller and this allows for the higher speeds.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147193

This 240gb drive is $200 and has the 540 / 520 read , write so two in raid will be $400 and give you 500gb but the speed will be the same as the Pci-e SSD, so it's a choice to be made as to which way to go.
The thing I like about the Asus Rog SSD is that it comes with software to make a Ram Disk , which means you can use any amount of extra ram as a separate drive and since Ram is the fastest possible memory chip you would then have a drive that unbelievably fast.
Read up on Ram Drives so you'll know what they are all about.

 

[Dalerjr94]

A pci-e SSD is a lot faster , read 830 Mbps and write 810 Mbps vs a regular SSD of 540Mbps read and 520 Mbps write. A Pci-e SSD bypasses the Sata controller and this allows for the higher speeds.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147193

This 240gb drive is $200 and has the 540 / 520 read , write so two in raid will be $400 and give you 500gb but the speed will be the same as the Pci-e SSD, so it's a choice to be made as to which way to go.
The thing I like about the Asus Rog SSD is that it comes with software to make a Ram Disk , which means you can use any amount of extra ram as a separate drive and since Ram is the fastest possible memory chip you would then have a drive that unbelievably fast.
Read up on Ram Drives so you'll know what they are all about.

Alright, I decided to to stick to the single SSD. I figure that if I ever get good enough at video FX that it gives back to me I can just upgrade. If it gives back to me enough I might just build a new PC all together.

I went with the closed loop, although I'm quite confident I could defiantly handle a custom loop like a pro. I made captain of my robotics team in just a year in high school (normally takes 2 or 3) because I was extremely handy with hardware, designing the component layout and customization, etc. I'm just not all that great at selecting specs, I would just put together/build anything that was handed to me. Anyways, back on track. I've actually learned quite about computer components through this experience. Ultimately I didn't go custom loop because I don't plan on overlocking in this set up, and If I were todo a custom loop I would make it eye candy and the case I decided on is closed anyways. So maybe next build.

So with that this is what I have http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2Hi32

Any comments/concerns? If all is good it's off to ordering the parts!

 

[inzone]

Yes that's quite a build that you have there and it looks really good , should be a beast in Photo Shop and After Effects CC.

Meanwhile check out the water cooling threads in the overclocking section and familiarize yourself with the various parts so when you decide to do a custom loop you'll know what parts to get. Since you like putting thing together you'll love creating your own loops.