Looking for advice on building a new workstation/personal.

[silenkiller]

First off - is now a good time to even build a computer? I mean, the last time I built one was right before the new gen of graphics cards, sataII and whatnot came out, and my stuff was obsolete before I got it all together.

Should I want for the next graphics leap, or cpu to come out?

Secondly, I want to obtain a good middle ground of game playability, and graphics workstation power. Thats where I'm confused. I know a decent amount about gaming system components, but what about graphic workstation cards, ect?

Or should I just buy a Mac G5? But then I wont be able to play PC Games lol

Any help would be appreciated! Thank You.

Btw - Budget is around 1500-2500 as of now, if it costs more, I can wait =)

 

[Maxiius]

IMO anytime is a good time to build, if you want a new comp, build it. I believe someone posted something similar in another thread, but if you're always waiting for the next "gen" of either cpu or gpu to be released, you'll never get anything built. In the case of right now, unless nvida comes out tomorrow and says their putting out th 7900 or 8000 whatever next week... I wouldn't wait to build...

But like I said... thats my 2 cents.. as for you build, i'll try to throw something together later for ya. I gotta get some work done

 

[silenkiller]

Hah, thank you for the reply. Yeah, I suppose ur right when it comes to constant technology increases.

Edit: Oh, I'll be using applications like:

Photoshop, After Effects, WoW, FEAR, ect.

 

[Maxiius]

I want to obtain a good middle ground of game playability, and graphics workstation power

I'm leaning toward an AMD Opteron. I need more time! Work for 10min, post for 5, work for 10... WHAA! Its a vicious cycle, dont let yourself get caught in it :roll:

 

[silenkiller]

I want to obtain a good middle ground of game playability, and graphics workstation power

I'm leaning toward an AMD Opteron. I need more time! Work for 10min, post for 5, work for 10... WHAA! Its a vicious cycle, dont let yourself get caught in it :roll:

Hm, what kind? lol, sorry if that sounds like a dumb q, but I just checked newegg, and theres a ton of AMD Opteron's from between 1300 - 300 lol

Dual core is a must i assume?

 

[Maxiius]

I perfer dual core, i'll never go back to single core again heh. But if you gonna be multi apps at the same time, then yes dual core is a must, separate load between cores. Opteron 170 / 175 would be a good start. Depending on if you want to OC any would be the difference in price comparison to ghz. If yes, go lower and OC if not go higher stock. Both of those processors $400-500 range (newegg). One of those and start piece parting something with that, you could build a hella nice rig with a 1500-2500 budget.

Lemme know what ya come with, I dont get off work till 6pm cst. So i dont have time right now to look up parts atm

Just quick posting like this! For Teh Win! rawr

 

[silenkiller]

Any specific reason for ur choice of the Opteron's?

Hm, and Im going to assume workstation rendering cards like, ur quatro (quadro?) cards and stuff dont support games well?

 

[Maxiius]

Well either Opteron or X2, which ever you perfer. I said Opteron because probably 99% of the enthusiast building would have said if you want dual core go Opteron. Opteron's so i've heard, have higher overclocking performance compared to the X2's.

Depending on if you want to OC

Is the real question? If you dont want to OC, might want to look into the X2 line of processors. But if you want any significant OC, then Opteron is the best bet.

Hm, and Im going to assume workstation rendering cards like, ur quatro (quadro?) cards and stuff dont support games well?

I'm not vid card expert by any means, but from i've read, it would seem to be that way. Don't think there is a middle ground in that area. Plus aren't those quadro's like 1400 bucks or something insane like that?

 

[silenkiller]

Yeah, thats what I'm worried about. Well, plus I need a capture solution so I can take movies from camera to computer. Seems like maby I should get a Mac for content creation, and stick to pc's for everyday use lol.

 

[edbrooks]

You're right about the mac but now is not a good time to buy one as they are about to transition the pro line to intel (as I'm sure you know). It will definitely happen by the end of the year and maybe even this spring.

I needed a new workstation now so I just built one --> http://forumz.tomshardware.com/hardware/High-Workstation-Build-ftopict173254.html

I recommend getting an entry level quadro. Check out these benchmarks which compare the quadros to the 7800 --> http://features.cgsociety.org/story_custom.php?story_id=3321&page=3

The FX 540 is a good buy for workstation performance. I'm planning on waiting for about a year until the prices of the new intel Power Macs come down at which point I will use my home built as linux server.

 

[Maxiius]

And there you have it, the ultimate question to preference 8)
AMD or Intel, go with what ya like!

 

[avatar3k]

opty 165/7800gt/2x1gb ram/a8n-sli premium mobo and you'll be fine

 

[CCanadian_Bacon]

This is what i'm building, it should fit into your price range if your a US citizen because all the prices are canadian lol

Mobo=Tyan Thunder K8WE http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=14793
CPU=Opteron 246
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=12256 (probably gonna buy this off of ebay)
Case=Thermaltake VA8000 Armor
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=14055

Keyboard= Logitech g15
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=16370

Monitor= Samsung Syncmaster 997mb
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=15618

Heatsink= ZALMAN CNPS7700-CU
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=13700

Memory= Corsair PC3200 "REGISTERED" memory (needs to be registered)
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=13643

GFX card= BFG Geforce 7800gtx 256mb
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=15488

Hardrive= Maxtor DiamondMax 10 300GB
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=17402

DVD/CD Writer= Pioneer DVR-110D Black DVD-RW 16X6X16 DVD+RW
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=15872

Power Supply= Fortron FSP/SPI FSP700-80GLC 700W "EPS12V"
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=16679

Sound Card= Creative Sound Blaster X-FI
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=16551