3D/Gaming Rig Advice/Opinions

CJE

Hey guys,

Been having some trouble with my current rig lately, and figure it's time for an upgrade anyways, and was looking for some feedback on a new computer I'm putting together.

I'm looking to make something that isn't crazy budget wise, but still some-what futureproof and able to run the new games coming out like Skyrim, Battlefield 3, and still be good for 3D.

Here is what I have going right now for sub $1500 CDN

CPU: Intel Core i7-2600k $314.99
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115070

Motherboard: Asus P8P67 Deluxe $229.99
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131701

Video Card: 2x (SLI) EVGA Superclocked GTX 560 Ti $479.98
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130651

Memory: 16GB G.Skill Ripjaw DDR3 1600 $108.99
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231315

Case: Antec 900 Black Steel $99.99
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021

PSU: Corsair Enthusiast Series 850W $149.99
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009

With shipping, comes out to $1480.20 CDN


Anyone have any thoughts on stuff I should change, or where I could better spend my money?

Thanks!

PolyHertz

I'd stick to using just 1x gpu sense have heard some 3D apps have problems with SLI. And get a cheaper motherboard, that Asus is really overpriced (You can get good 1155 ASRock brand mobos for as low as $70, which are an offshoot of Asus).

Also I'd get an SSD to act as your primary hard drive.

Gufufawug

Looks quite good, few things i would be tempted to change tho:

If your planning on using an aftermarket cpu cooler (now or in the future) then i would change the RAM to http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145263 This is just incase the ram is too high for an aftermarket cooler.

I would def get an ASRock mobo and i might be tempted to go for a z68 http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157250 This is a very good board has newer tech (namely lucid virtu/ivybridge support) and is cheaper than the P67. MSI also do very good boards i would maybe check some reviews out for some high end boards from them as well

I would also reccomend an SSD for a boot disk and for primary apps, they are insanely fast but they are pricey. SLI might have issues with 3d apps and games, i would just be tempted to get a single card, personally i use a 2gb 6950 and im more than happy with it. The parts i linked i use in my build but there are probably better out there for cheaper now

R3D

Check out:

http://tinyurl.com/falconguide

Also yeah SLI doesn't work too well for 3D from what I hear

alexk

Ryswick wrote: »

Check out:

http://tinyurl.com/falconguide

Also yeah SLI doesn't work too well for 3D from what I hear

Thank you so much for that link!

R3D

alexk wrote: »

Thank you so much for that link!

yeah the guy also updates it once a month, so its always up to date for the most part.

alexk

Does having a hyperthreading CPU, like the OP's Intel i7, make any difference in 3d game art related programs such as Photoshop, 3dsmax, UDK, Zbrush? Or will a i5 suffice?

Snacuum

"Asus P8P67 Deluxe"

Be aware if you haven't already read into it that the intel chipset is woeful in terms of pci lanes. But you have little no other options these days. Intel boards modified by the likes of Asus, or Gigabyte (or any company really) have to use these limited resources to support both the intel chipset and anything else tacked on. They compromise, by switching off other components when major parts are in use.

ie:

Put a video card in the 16x PCI-E slot, then put another in the other PCI-E 16x and they now both operate at only 8x. This is normal, but...

Put another card in somewhere like a PCI-E 1x slot and now any other slots left are now inoperable, and maybe even a few usb ports as well.

This is just an example and different boards have different solutions, and it may not even matter for the configuration you have. I tell you in case you don't know: My machine has other dedicated PCI cards, many hard drives and many usb devices plugged in, and so it was a deal-breaker for me to get a board that can sustain all of its components comfortably.

---

Also I was gonna chip in and ask what kind of Monitors are recommended by polycounters. Looking for a 24" 16:10 I thought I'd ask here since, as game-art makers, we enjoy both playing games and making quality artwork. However there a professional quality monitors with accurate colours, but may be too slow refresh for games. Then there's run-of-the-mill home monitors that play games fine, but are renowned for being rubbish quality. I did a little research and some of Dells range seem the be aiming pretty well. Any thoughts?

ZacD

alexk wrote: »

Does having a hyperthreading CPU, like the OP's Intel i7, make any difference in 3d game art related programs such as Photoshop, 3dsmax, UDK, Zbrush? Or will a i5 suffice?

More processing power = quicker baking and better performance in general for cpu intensive games and tasks, I'd say if there's room in the budget, why not. I'd first spend money on an i7, than sli or a ssd drive.