Which processor should I need for running a metalworking business with basic 3D modeling?

[Minipianoman]

I'm working on building a computer for a family member's new metalworking business, but having never built a computer for this purpose, am a little lost on processor (every other computer I've built was primarily for gaming). The price needs to be around $500, so I was leaning towards integrated graphics. Here is the original parts list:

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/6Vn67P

I know that 3D modeling will be a must for this build, so I was also considering something with more robust integrated graphics (an AMD APU would also cut down the price substantially). The computer will be used to run other basic things like quickbooks and other business management tools, so I don't think it needs to be that much more powerful. Any ideas for possible changes would be greatly appreciated.

Clarification:
I already have the OS and peripherals. The ~$500 budget would be strictly for the hardware.

 

[PreXMystic]

3D modeling will benefit from more cores, so I would personally go with an AMD based rig. AMD CPUs have great multi-threaded performance and I personally like them a lot. I've put together a parts list for you that I believe would net the most performance for a $500 3d modeling rig.

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

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock 970M PRO3 Micro ATX AM3+/AM3 Motherboard ($63.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Crucial 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($53.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R7 370 2GB Core Edition Video Card ($124.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 USB 3.0 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: CoolMax 500W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSC0B DVD/CD Writer ($15.89 @ OutletPC)
Wireless Network Adapter: Rosewill RNX-N150PCe 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($11.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $490.61
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-02-28 07:47 EST-0500

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/xpPJsY

 

[DonkeyOatie]

This is a budget APU based system.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD A8-7670K 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor ($89.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: RAIJINTEK PALLAS 56.5 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A88X-ITX+ Mini ITX FM2+ Motherboard ($78.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($46.89 @ OutletPC)
Case: Thermaltake Core X1 Mini ITX Tower Case ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec 450W ATX Power Supply ($33.98 @ Directron)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHDS118-04 DVD/CD Drive ($12.89 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM (64-bit) ($87.95 @ OutletPC)
Total: $465.66
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-02-28 08:27 EST-0500

I'm assuming that your 3D is CAD/CAM/CNC or something for 3D printing or Stereo Lithography. That is not a hugely demanding application, unless you a modelling very complex parts.

The case has been selected to work in a potentially 'dirty' environment, with good dust screens, and the PSU is powerful and good enough.

I am assuming that you have a mouse, keyboard and monitor already.

The system does include WiFi on the motherboard. Based on your feedback, the build can be tuned further.

More expensive A10 APUs have better graphics but the same processing power.

 

[Minipianoman]

3D modeling will benefit from more cores, so I would personally go with an AMD based rig. AMD CPUs have great multi-threaded performance and I personally like them a lot. I've put together a parts list for you that I believe would net the most performance for a $500 3d modeling rig.

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

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock 970M PRO3 Micro ATX AM3+/AM3 Motherboard ($63.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Crucial 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($53.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R7 370 2GB Core Edition Video Card ($124.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 USB 3.0 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: CoolMax 500W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSC0B DVD/CD Writer ($15.89 @ OutletPC)
Wireless Network Adapter: Rosewill RNX-N150PCe 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($11.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $490.61
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-02-28 07:47 EST-0500

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/xpPJsY

In your opinion, is a graphics card worth it in this scenario?

 

[Minipianoman]

This is a budget APU based system.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD A8-7670K 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor ($89.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: RAIJINTEK PALLAS 56.5 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A88X-ITX+ Mini ITX FM2+ Motherboard ($78.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($46.89 @ OutletPC)
Case: Thermaltake Core X1 Mini ITX Tower Case ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec 450W ATX Power Supply ($33.98 @ Directron)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHDS118-04 DVD/CD Drive ($12.89 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM (64-bit) ($87.95 @ OutletPC)
Total: $465.66
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-02-28 08:27 EST-0500

I'm assuming that your 3D is CAD/CAM/CNC or something for 3D printing or Stereo Lithography. That is not a hugely demanding application, unless you a modelling very complex parts.

The case has been selected to work in a potentially 'dirty' environment, with good dust screens, and the PSU is powerful and good enough.

I am assuming that you have a mouse, keyboard and monitor already.

The system does include WiFi on the motherboard. Based on your feedback, the build can be tuned further.

More expensive A10 APUs have better graphics but the same processing power.

Would the better graphics in a higher end APU be of any substantial benefit?

 

[Karsten75]

I never recommend home-built systems for <$800. In the ultra-low price ranges, pre-built machines by large companies such as Lenovo, Dell, etc.. have a huge price advantage. They achieve economies of scale that is not approachable when one-off parts are purchased and additionally they have negotiated huge discounts on Windows. A legit copy of Windows alone adds $130 to the price of a build.

Fur further assistance, it would also be useful if you could be more specific on which 3D-modeling package you intend to use, as the website of the application may have guidance and recommendations on minimum- and recommended builds.

 

[DonkeyOatie]

This is a budget APU based system.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD A8-7670K 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor ($89.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: RAIJINTEK PALLAS 56.5 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A88X-ITX+ Mini ITX FM2+ Motherboard ($78.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($46.89 @ OutletPC)
Case: Thermaltake Core X1 Mini ITX Tower Case ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec 450W ATX Power Supply ($33.98 @ Directron)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHDS118-04 DVD/CD Drive ($12.89 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM (64-bit) ($87.95 @ OutletPC)
Total: $465.66
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-02-28 08:27 EST-0500

I'm assuming that your 3D is CAD/CAM/CNC or something for 3D printing or Stereo Lithography. That is not a hugely demanding application, unless you a modelling very complex parts.

The case has been selected to work in a potentially 'dirty' environment, with good dust screens, and the PSU is powerful and good enough.

I am assuming that you have a mouse, keyboard and monitor already.

The system does include WiFi on the motherboard. Based on your feedback, the build can be tuned further.

More expensive A10 APUs have better graphics but the same processing power.

Would the better graphics in a higher end APU be of any substantial benefit?

I don't think so. But it depends on exactly what you are doing.

In response to the suggestion above, I would agree completely with what they say if this were a 'standard' system, for gaming or business. However for what you are doing something more specialized might be needed. 'Off-the-shelf' computers will have less suitable cases and often much weaker or lower performance PSUs.

On of the first projects in the software company we started back in the mid '70s was developing CNC software and graphics for an early machine using an early PC, so I am generally familiar with what is involved.

 

[Karsten75]

In response to the suggestion above, I would agree completely with what they say if this were a 'standard' system, for gaming or business. However for what you are doing something more specialized might be needed. 'Off-the-shelf' computers will have less suitable cases and often much weaker or lower performance PSUs.

On of the first projects in the software company we started back in the mid '70s was developing CNC software and graphics for an early machine using an early PC, so I am generally familiar with what is involved.

Be that as it may, but I still have to see a build in this thread with an OS included. Not doing so is slightly deceptive, IMHO.

 

[Minipianoman]

This is a budget APU based system.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD A8-7670K 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor ($89.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: RAIJINTEK PALLAS 56.5 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A88X-ITX+ Mini ITX FM2+ Motherboard ($78.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($46.89 @ OutletPC)
Case: Thermaltake Core X1 Mini ITX Tower Case ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec 450W ATX Power Supply ($33.98 @ Directron)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHDS118-04 DVD/CD Drive ($12.89 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM (64-bit) ($87.95 @ OutletPC)
Total: $465.66
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-02-28 08:27 EST-0500

I'm assuming that your 3D is CAD/CAM/CNC or something for 3D printing or Stereo Lithography. That is not a hugely demanding application, unless you a modelling very complex parts.

The case has been selected to work in a potentially 'dirty' environment, with good dust screens, and the PSU is powerful and good enough.

I am assuming that you have a mouse, keyboard and monitor already.

The system does include WiFi on the motherboard. Based on your feedback, the build can be tuned further.

More expensive A10 APUs have better graphics but the same processing power.

Would the better graphics in a higher end APU be of any substantial benefit?

I don't think so. But it depends on exactly what you are doing.

In response to the suggestion above, I would agree completely with what they say if this were a 'standard' system, for gaming or business. However for what you are doing something more specialized might be needed. 'Off-the-shelf' computers will have less suitable cases and often much weaker or lower performance PSUs.

On of the first projects in the software company we started back in the mid '70s was developing CNC software and graphics for an early machine using an early PC, so I am generally familiar with what is involved.

I think that this might be the best option. I would like to use a single stick of ram for future expansion, if it proves necessary. In terms of performance, would 3D design have any requirements for RAM?

 

[Minipianoman]

Also, would it be worth adding a ~$200 firepro graphics card (or equivalent priced card) if budget allows? Also, if it would, should I go for something along the lines of the above mentioned 6300? Or is all this irrelevant and I should stick to the APU... I just want to make sure it's the right choice.

 

[DonkeyOatie]

In response to the suggestion above, I would agree completely with what they say if this were a 'standard' system, for gaming or business. However for what you are doing something more specialized might be needed. 'Off-the-shelf' computers will have less suitable cases and often much weaker or lower performance PSUs.

On of the first projects in the software company we started back in the mid '70s was developing CNC software and graphics for an early machine using an early PC, so I am generally familiar with what is involved.

Be that as it may, but I still have to see a build in this thread with an OS included. Not doing so is slightly deceptive, IMHO.

Would you please recheck the build I posted. The last line seems to be an OS. I agree with your thesis, however, which is why I nearly always include one.

I note the OP has clarified and mentions that they have an OS already.

 

[DonkeyOatie]

Also, would it be worth adding a ~$200 firepro graphics card (or equivalent priced card) if budget allows? Also, if it would, should I go for something along the lines of the above mentioned 6300? Or is all this irrelevant and I should stick to the APU... I just want to make sure it's the right choice.

You have a very tight budget, so we need to be very careful how we spend your money.

We need to know what the graphics 3D software is so we can see what it needs to work as well as possible.

Now that you have said you have an OS, more budget is freed up. I was unable to produce a good 6300 system in your budget with an OS, so I went with a good APU system.

Some software will work just fine with a Consumer, gaming, GPU, other software, with lots of floating point calculations, needs a workstation grade GPU. Knowing the software will help us decide.

If you have any sort of discrete GPU, something other than an APU is the best solution.

 

[Karsten75]

Would you please recheck the build I posted. The last line seems to be an OS. I agree with your thesis, however, which is why I nearly always include one.

I note the OP has clarified and mentions that they have an OS already.

My bad, and I apologize. Thought I did look, but obviously not carefully enough. I usually respect your opinions and find that you are one of the sensible posters on here.

 

[DonkeyOatie]

Would you please recheck the build I posted. The last line seems to be an OS. I agree with your thesis, however, which is why I nearly always include one.

I note the OP has clarified and mentions that they have an OS already.

My bad, and I apologize. Thought I did look, but obviously not carefully enough. I usually respect your opinions and find that you are one of the sensible posters on here.

No worries.