New system or update? 3D rendering

[LML]

Hello all, very glad to have access to this forum!

I am looking to build a system for fast 3D rendering (Maya + Vray) and for compositing (After Effects).

I built a system about 2 years ago that's just not cutting it, and I am wondering if I should upgrade the critical parts, or if I will be better off scrapping it and starting new.

Here's what I have now:

MOBO---GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P --
CPU---E8500 3.16 Intel c2d 775 45N R --
Mem---G.Skill F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK R (2 GB X 4) --
graphics processor---EVGA GTX260 --
Hard Drive---WD 640 GB --
Power Supply---ANTEC EA650 RT --

(a note on the above: I had to mess with the clock settings to get the memory to work with that mobo--evidently they weren't a good match out of the box--lesson learned: do more research!)

I don't have a set budget yet, but maybe somewhere around $1000, more if I have to start from scratch I guess

Thanks very much for your advice

Mac

 

[Why_Me]

As long as your h/d and optical drive are SATA they should work just fine, otherwise there's some options down below. Your psu should be fine also.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157252 $114.99
ASRock Z68 PRO3-M LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.695314 $359.98 save: $15.00 - $20.00 Mail In Rebates FREE SHIPPING
Intel Core i7-2600K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I72600K
Patriot Signature 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory with heatshield Model PSD38G1600KH

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065 $29.49 FREE SHIPPING
COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1 "Heatpipe Direct Contact" Long Life Sleeve 120mm CPU Cooler Compatible Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Spinpoint-3-5-Inch-Internal-HD103SJ/dp/B002MQC0P8/ref=sr_1_1?m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1312081809&sr=1-1 $59.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Samsung Desktop Class Spinpoint F3 1 TB SATA 3.0 Gb-s 32 MB Cache 3.5-Inch Internal Bare-OEM Drives, HD103SJ

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-SATA-Internal-Drive-AD-7260S-0B/dp/B003MRHOQG/ref=dp_cp_ob_pc_title_2 $19.99 Free Standard Shipping (3-5 days)
Sony 24X SATA Internal DVD+/-RW Drive AD-7260S-0B - Bulk (Black)


http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.asp?Model=Z68%20Pro3-M <---- more specs, info and pics of that Asrock board

http://www.asrock.com/microsite/IntelZ68/index.asp?c=Features <----- Lucid Virtu and Intel HD 3000 graphics

http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/4100/asrock_z68_pro3_m_intel_z68_motherboard_review/index.html <---- review of that board along with benchmarks

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4083/the-sandy-bridge-review-intel-core-i7-2600k-i5-2500k-core-i3-2100-tested/11 <----- HD 3000 graphics review and benchmarks

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/core-i7-990x-extreme-edition-gulftown,2874.html <----- $1,000 Intel Core i7-990X Extreme vs $330 Intel Core i7 2600K Sandy
Bridge

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/288?vs=287 <----- Intel Core i5 2500K vs Intel Core i7 2600K

*Sandy Bridge reviews down below

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/sandy-bridge-core-i7-2600k-core-i5-2500k,2833.html

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4083/the-sandy-bridge-review-intel-core-i5-2600k-i5-2500k-and-core-i3-2100-tested

http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1501/1/

http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=622&Itemid=63

http://www.guru3d.com/article/core-i5-2500k-and-core-i7-2600k-review/

 

[kikireeki]

For faster production you will also need an SSD and a professional Video card such as Quadro (Nvidia) and FireGL (AMD) series.

 

[LML]

excellent, thanks to both for the suggestions

one thing I didn't mention is my case: ANTEC_THREE HUNDRED BK RT
I'm guessing stuff will fit in there because it's good size (but I've been wrong before!), if anyone sees a conflict with the above advice, please let me know

Other suggestions? Thanks!

LML

 

[LML]

For faster production you will also need an SSD and a professional Video card such as Quadro (Nvidia) and FireGL (AMD) series.

would an SSD replace the drive I have? or, would I use both?
thanks

LML

 

[Why_Me]

would an SSD replace the drive I have? or, would I use both?
thanks

LML

Use the WD as a storage drive.

 

[LML]

cool---thanks again

looking around a bit, it sounds like the SSD and the graphics cards are going to have a small impact (perhaps even negligible?) compared to the new mobo/cpu/ram

is this accurate?

LML

 

[Why_Me]

cool---thanks again

looking around a bit, it sounds like the SSD and the graphics cards are going to have a small impact (perhaps even negligible?) compared to the new mobo/cpu/ram

is this accurate?

LML

You are 100% correct. mobo, cpu and RAM are the three biggies that will certainly have the most impact.

 

[LML]

one more question

how do I find memory that is a sure-fit for the motherboard you've suggested? (this is where I screwed up on my last setup)

 

[Why_Me]

one more question

how do I find memory that is a sure-fit for the motherboard you've suggested? (this is where I screwed up on my last setup)

Every motherboard manufacturer will have a list of memory that is recognized by the mobo. But with RAM like G.Skill, Corsair, Mushkin, Kingston, and Patriot...there's no probs as far as I know. G.Skill ripjaws is the most popular RAM for these boards. It's selling for cheap now. 2x4GB set is going for $60 on newegg.

 

[LML]

Why_Me, if you're still out there, I'm having a bit of trouble deciding on the varieties of g.skill ripjaws for the board you suggested

1066 vs. 1333 vs. ? these variations are a bit over my head... I'm hoping just to pop these in, and not have to do any adjusting to settings---and I won't be overclocking, at least for now (as that is also over my head

thanks again! LML



edit: the memory below is on the supported list for the mobo, and is available pretty cheap... anyone have any advice on the speed (assuming I get the i7 2600 k sandy bridge cpu)??

g.skill F3-10666CL9D-8GBXL -- 1333 mhz? --- $48 newegg

 

[LML]

Best answer selected by LML.