New pc build for 3d modelling under $1000

[Newbie3d]

Hi, i need help in building a new computer for 3d modelling preferably under $1000. I will be using software such as autocad, inventor, revit, and some 3d animation. This will be use for entry and midlevel. I prefer to have a good graphic card, intel i7 for cpu, and window 8.

 

[Demosthenest]

overclocking? peripherals?

 

[Newbie3d]

Will not be doing overclock on the cpu. For now this pc build will be use for entry level 3d modelling and animation. Will be using solid works software in the future.

 

[Newbie3d]

Including monitor in the budget

 

[Demosthenest]

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/PFZQgs
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/PFZQgs/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor ($289.88 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Seidon 120V 86.2 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 Extreme3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($104.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($144.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: PNY Optima 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($80.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.97 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair SPEC-01 RED ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($54.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($18.75 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1008.50
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-01-14 16:29 EST-0500

 

[Demosthenest]

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/tkfpRB
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/tkfpRB/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor ($289.88 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M PRO4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($79.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($144.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.97 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair SPEC-01 RED ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($54.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($18.75 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: AOC i2267Fw 60Hz 22.0" Monitor ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1002.52
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-01-14 16:31 EST-0500

 

[mdocod]

How important is it that this be under $1000?

$1500+ is where proper workstations begin...

CPU: E5-1620V3: ~$300
HSF: SilverStone AR03: $50
MOBO: GIGABYTE MW50-SV0 ~$300
RAM: 1 X 16GB ECC DDR4 RDIMM (M393A2G40DB0-CPB0) ~$200
GPU: W5000: ~$300
SSD: Crucial M550 256GB ~$110
Storage: WD1002F9YZ ~$90
PSU: Antec HCP-750 ~$140
Case: Fractal/Corsair/Lian-Li/Silverstone ATX Mid Tower: ~$70-140 range suit your preference
~$1600

The build above can be scaled up to 128GB RAM with existing DDR4, eventually it would support up to 256-512GB depending. It can be scaled up to 18 cores with existing technology, and may eventually support up to 24 or more cores if broadwell makes it to this platform. Of course this build also has both the PCIE lanes and PSU to handle an upgrade path to 2 flagship GPUs (Titans? W8100? K6000? Take your pick)

-------------------

You can scale back a bit... loosing a LOT of upgrade path doing something like this:

CPU: E3-1231V3: ~$240
HSF: Arctic i11: $22
MOBO: ASRock Rack C226 WS+: ~$240
RAM: 2 x 8GB ECC DDR3 UDIMM's (M391B1G73QH0-YK0 X 2): $170
GPU: W5000: ~$300
SSD: Crucial MX100 256GB: ~$105
Storage: WD1003FZEX: $75
PSU: SeaSonic SSR-650RM 650W: $90
Case: : Fractal/Corsair/Lian-Li/Silverstone/CM ATX Mid Tower: ~$50-100 range suit your preference
~$1300

This cuts the build by $300.
No useful CPU upgrade path (there will never be more than 4 cores on this socket)
MAX RAM 32GB (instead of 256+)
GPU upgrade path is similar, it's configured to support up to 2 flagship GPUs as configured.

--------------

Engineering programs like solidworks run best with the support of workstation GPU driver support:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeHei6qmzM0

ECC memory is also advised for this type of build.

 

[Demosthenest]

mdocod, would the build I suggested be ok for the 1000 mark?

 

[mdocod]

Cutting to less than $1000 and doing this nicely is going to be really difficult... The best I can do is this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($242.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Arctic Cooling Freezer i11 74.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($22.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus H97M-PLUS Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($99.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($73.08 @ Amazon)
Storage: A-Data Premier Pro SP600 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($92.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Red 1TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($60.30 @ Newegg)
Video Card: AMD FirePro W4100 2GB Video Card ($159.99 @ B&H)
Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($42.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 360W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($57.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit) ($92.00 @ B&H)
Monitor: ViewSonic VA2455Sm 60Hz 23.6" Monitor ($135.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1081.30
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-01-14 17:32 EST-0500

-----------

As much as I love the GTX750Ti for content creation workstations, engineering programs really don't work properly on gaming cards.

 

[Newbie3d]

What would you recommend for $800 build system

 

[mdocod]

$800 computer to run $15,000 worth of software... yea, nothing sounds fishy about this 😉 What's going on here?

 

[iamlegend]

A xeon chip will be OK for 3D modeling using you mentioned softwares.

 

[Newbie3d]

Mdocod, im on a tight budget. If i can build a system that is $800 worth it will be much helpful on my financial end

 

[mdocod]

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($96.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Zalman CNPS5X Performa CPU Cooler ($16.87 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($94.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: KVR16LE11/8 DDR3L-1600 8GB/1Gx72 ECC ($79.99 @ Superbiiz)
Storage: Western Digital RE4 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($63.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: AMD FirePro W4100 2GB Video Card ($159.99 @ B&H)
Case: Thermaltake Versa H25 ATX Mid Tower Case ($43.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Rosewill 450W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($40.00 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit) ($92.00 @ B&H)
Monitor: ViewSonic VA2455Sm 60Hz 23.6" Monitor ($135.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $824.79
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-01-14 23:42 EST-0500

 

[iamlegend]

^I doubt this build can run inventor well.

 

[ac130]

I do 3d rendering and video editing all the time and I have never seen a benefit from using a xeon vs an i7 in render times or the actual output. Xeons support ECC Memory, but are more expensive and don't give much of a performance benefit.

 

[Newbie3d]

What do you guys think about this build? It is within my budget

[PCPartPicker part list](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/tWcMD3) / [Price breakdown by merchant](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/tWcMD3/by_merchant/)

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [Intel Core i7-4790 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80646i74790) | $289.88 @ OutletPC
**Motherboard** | [Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-motherboard-z97a) | $136.98 @ OutletPC
**Memory** | [PNY XLR8 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/pny-memory-md16384kd31600x9) | $123.40 @ Amazon
**Storage** | [Western Digital Se 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/western-digital-internal-hard-drive-wd1002f9yz) | $79.99 @ NCIX US
**Video Card** | [Sapphire Radeon R7 260X 2GB Video Card](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/sapphire-video-card-1003662l) | $99.99 @ Newegg
**Case** | [Azza SIRIUS ATX Mid Tower Case](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/azza-case-csaz206s) | $34.99 @ Newegg
**Power Supply** | [EVGA 600B 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-power-supply-100b10600kr) | $29.99 @ NCIX US
**Optical Drive** | [LG GH24NSC0B DVD/CD Writer](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/lg-optical-drive-gh24nsc0b) | $13.99 @ Newegg
**Operating System** | [Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit)](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/microsoft-os-885370635690) | $89.98 @ OutletPC
| | **Total**
| Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available | $899.19
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-01-15 04:19 EST-0500 |

 

[mdocod]

I do 3d rendering and video editing all the time and I have never seen a benefit from using a xeon vs an i7 in render times or the actual output. Xeons support ECC Memory, but are more expensive and don't give much of a performance benefit.

There isn't supposed to be any performance advantage to using the Xeon here. I have not said or implied that here.

For a given performance, Xeon's can often be LESS expensive or give MORE for the money.

E3-1231V3 is ~$240
The same performance from an i7 will cost you ~$300+ in the form of an i7-4770/4790.
Win Xeon.

E5-1620V3 and i7-4770/4790 are in the same price and compute performance class (~$300). The 4770 has a useless iGPU and is limited to 32GB of DDR3 memory, the Xeon has 40 PCIE lanes, ECC DDR4 RDIMM support to 512GB+, and is supported on a socket that has a useful upgrade path.
Win Xeon.

 

[bambiboom]

Hi, i need help in building a new computer for 3d modelling preferably under $1000. I will be using software such as autocad, inventor, revit, and some 3d animation. This will be use for entry and midlevel. I prefer to have a good graphic card, intel i7 for cpu, and window 8.

Newbie3d,

It's possible to have a system of very high capability and reliability for your uses for less than $1,000.

A couple of weeks ago I bought on Ebahh:

Dell Precision T5500 (2010) Original: Xeon E5620 quad core @ 2.4 / 2.6 Ghz > 6GB DDR3 ECC Reg 1333 > Quadro FX 580 (512MB) > Dell PERC 6/i SAS /SATA controller > Seagate Cheetah 15K 146GB SAS > Windows 7 Professional 64-bit COA (Win 7 not installed)
[ Passmark system rating = 1479 / CPU = 4067 / 2D= 520 / 3D= 311 / Mem= 1473 / Disk= 1208]

> for $173 + $20 shipping

The Precision T5500 is the mid level - between T3500 and T7500 and uses up to two six-core, 3.47 /3.73 GHZ Xeon X5690), LGA1366 CPU's on the X58 chipset and with the second CPU /memory riser installed up to 72GB of DDR3 ECC 1333.

The key is to buy one that is complete,with low end Xeon 5600- series (it should have a 56XX so the system can use six core CPU's), more or less disposable GPU and drives, and Win 7 Pro 64 COA on the case.

This system was in far better condition than I imagined. I fussed with the PERC 6/i controller as these can be very fast, but eventually removed it as I didn't plan a complex RAID.

Researching parts, I bought:

Xeon X5680 six -core @ 3.33 /3.6 GHz > $200
24GB DDR3 1333 ECC registered RAM > $120 ( 6X 4GB -the X58 chipset is triple channel so RAM is in sets of three)
Linksys WMP600N PCI dual band WiFi > $14
M-Audio 192 24 /192 MIDI recording sound card > $45
Downloaded the ISO for Windows 7 Professional 64-bit from MS > $0

Total = System $190 + parts $380 = $570

I had left over from my HP z420 upgrade:

Quadro 4000 (2GB) - which are going for about $275 now)
Samsung 840 250GB - about $70
WD RE4 1TB - going for about $60 NOS

Total Cost: System, Parts, Value of transferred parts: $190 + $380 + $405 = $975

Installed the parts, upgraded BIOS, installed OS, programs, and configured:

Dell Precision T5500 > Xeon X5680 six -core @ 3.33 / 3.6GHz, 24GB DDR3 ECC 1333 > Quadro 4000 (2GB ) > Samsung 840 250GB / WD RE4 enterprise 1TB > M-Audio 192 sound card > Linksys WMP600N PCI WiFi > Windows 7 Professional 64

> and the benchmarks results were very good, rating this among the top 10, T5500's on Passmark :

[ Passmark system rating = 3339 / CPU = 9347 / 2D= 684 / 3D= 2030 / Mem= 1871 / Disk= 2234]

This kind of system of course does not have the latest technology, but the performance is quite good with the right GPU, they're made to have server-like reliability and have some upgrade path in that a 2nd X5680 can be added for 12 cores / 24 threads for about +$300.

So, anyway, this may appear to be a complex solution, but the results are very good with patient shopping. These systems are ultra-reliable as well. The T5500 replaces a T5400 that I bought for $500 and upgraded for another $500:

Dell Precision T5400 (2008) > 2X Xeon X5460 quad core @3.16GHz > 16GB DDR2 667 ECC> Quadro FX 4800 (1.5GB) > WD RE4 500GB / Seagate Barracuda 500GB > M-Audio 2496 Sound Card / Linksys WMP600N WiFi > HP 2711X, 27" 1920 X 1080 and Dell 19" LCD > Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit >
[ Passmark system Rating = 1859, CPU = 8528 / 2D= 512 / 3D=1097]

> and it never missed a beat in nearly five years of 20-hour days, plus it's still worth a high percentage of the cost- 80%+

Just a thought.

Cheers,

BambiBoom

HP z420 (2014) > Xeon E5-1620 quad core @ 3.6 / 3.8GHz > 24GB DDR3 ECC 1600 RAM > Quadro K2200 (4GB)> Intel 730 480GB > Western Digital Black WD1003FZEX 1TB> M-Audio 192 sound card > Linksys AE3000 USB WiFi > 2X Dell Ultrasharp U2715H 2560 X 1440 > Windows 7 Professional 64 >
[ Passmark Rating = 4402 > CPU= 9280 / 2D= 797 / 3D=3480 / Mem= 2558 / Disk= 4498]