Looking to buy a new computer, any suggestions?
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Yeah, I'm an architectural student and I am looking to buy a new computer. I've already got a laptop (Lenovo T61p), suggested by the university and it doesn't work well at all. I am very disappointed by the way it runs things, it is slow for everything (sketchup, rendering, everyday use). Anyways,since I've already got a screen, I am looking to buy a computer that will run the following perfectly (autocad, sketchup, Vray, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, everyday use). I think I will look into building up a computer but I need to know what I should have as components, key hardware. I live in Québec and I plan on buying it around the area. So If anyone can give suggestions about components I should add in my computer just leave a message and I will write down the information and it will be usefull and very appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
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Depends on your budget really.
CPU: if youve got the cash go for a core i7 system. If not a fast dual core is probably most appropriate (something around 2.6 Ghz+)
Graphics card: A relatively recent nVidia model should do it, something like a 9800.
Hard drive: a couple of 500 GB drives should do it, cut down on this if you need to save money. Hard drives are cheap and easy to upgrade later, everything else less so.
RAM: As much as you can afford really, 4GB is pretty standard 8GB is better, especially if your going to be doing heavy work in photoshop. Bear in mind you will need a 64 bit version of your operating system to take advantage of more than 4GB, though. 64 bit versions of windows are easily available.
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"Depends on your budget really." Agree with this.
CPU: Don't buy dual core becouse that's old tehnology. Ofcourse you know that. It's better to buy Core2Quad Q6600 (it's kinda cheap proc with older tehnology but still a really goog one) Core i7 is probably the best proc on the market but expensive.
Graphic card: Agree with remus. Just take something with 512Mb DDR3, DirectX 10 compatible (9600, 9800) Avoid seres 7***
HDD: 320 - 500 Gb (WD is fine) SATA-2 are not so expencive
RAM: 4Gb
This is my machine, and I also use that software that you've been mentioned and I don't have any problems.
MB: ASUS P5Q
CPU: Intel C2Q Q9550 ; 2,83GHz ; 12Mb (see on web for more details, it's very good proc)
Graphic: Nvidia Gainward 9600GT GS 512Mb DDR3
HDD: WD 500Gb
RAM: 4Gb Kingston Hyper-X 800
CPU Cooler: Zero Term Katana2
Power supply: XSpice Kira 630wHope this will help you.
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@kustura said:
WD is fine
I second that. I've already killed three Maxtor hard drives, and a Samsung one, but Western Digital hasn't failed me. That's what happens when you work with 3D Walkthroughs and often move/edit Gigas of data.
I agree that the Core 2 Quad Q6600 and the Core i7 920 are the two best "bang-for-your-buck" CPUs right now. If you check the charts at TomsHardware.com, you'll see that the Core i7 920 is 54% faster than the Q6600 in 3D rendering. Since the difference in price between the two is only $82, I'd highly recommend you buy the Core i7 920. Compared to CPUs in that price range just a couple of years ago, it's like having a small render farm at home. In fact, your programs will see the Core i7 920 as having 8 logical cores, not 4, as each physical core can handle two threads. It also consumes less power than the Q6600, according to an Amazon review.
If you're going to skimp on something, that should be the graphics card, as it is not used during rendering. Even navigation within SketchUp and 3dsMAX seems to be far more CPU intensive than graphics card intensive. Just make sure the card you buy is HDCP compliant, as at some point you'll want to watch Blu-rays on your PC.
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