Help with PC purchase
Good day,
I am new to the 3D graphics world, I just started attending college in Canada to learn more about the industry, we are currently learning to use software like 3ds max, udk, unity and mudbox. The PC I use at home is not very good and cannot run mudbox; sometimes struggles with max. I am looking to buy a new PC but I do not know very much about hardware specs on PCs. I would like to be able to run mudbox and max smoothly at home to get more out of my models. As I am a student I am hoping to spend less than $500; can anyone help me out in these regards with suggestions or point me in the right direction for what I should be looking for in a PC,
Thanks in advance for any assistance,
Corey
I am new to the 3D graphics world, I just started attending college in Canada to learn more about the industry, we are currently learning to use software like 3ds max, udk, unity and mudbox. The PC I use at home is not very good and cannot run mudbox; sometimes struggles with max. I am looking to buy a new PC but I do not know very much about hardware specs on PCs. I would like to be able to run mudbox and max smoothly at home to get more out of my models. As I am a student I am hoping to spend less than $500; can anyone help me out in these regards with suggestions or point me in the right direction for what I should be looking for in a PC,
Thanks in advance for any assistance,
Corey
Replies
CPU: Get an i5 2500 or i7 2600. Sandy Bridge is more in your budget than Ivy Bridge.
GPU: Geforce 560 Ti or an AMD 6950 with at least 1GB of RAM. Most GPU's don't have less than that these days.
RAM: Get the fastest RAM your motherboard can handle and get at least 8GB DDR3, but no more than 16GB.
Mobo: Get something economical that supports your other hardware. Leave the SLI and Crossfire versions alone, they don't help with your work. Get one with a recent chipset.
If you still have room in your budget, get an SSD. Even a 64GB can make a difference.
http://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3458091
The OP is continually updated with current specs for a budget, value/performance sweet spot, performance breakdown and it explains a ton of shit. It's a lot of words but there is a section that literally just "buy these things and be happy" if you want.