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04/11/2012 04:12:54 PM · #1 |
OK, I'm looking for a new PC. I need something different from my trusty (and tired) MacBook.
I'm keeping my Macbook for the web, photos, writing, spreadsheets etc...
I need this machine to do some PC specific tasks that I can't accomplish with a Mac.
-Run AutoDesk Inventor and other engineering design and analysis software. (I need good graphics, but they don't need to be particularly fast, I'll save gaming for the Xbox.)
-Run my Rapid Prototype Machine
-Run my CNC mill
-OS needs to be 64bit Windows
It's been a while since I was in the PC market, but I remember getting so pissed off with the OEM machines that were loaded down with crappy adware or other junky programs that I nuked everything and installed a fresh copy of Windows. I'd rather just build my own and leave the crap to others.
Yes, I can run Windows on my MacBook, but I don't want to. |
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04/11/2012 04:28:50 PM · #2 |
I would suggest building one. I prefer AMD over Intel. I also prefer the Asus brand motherboards. I assume that you will be running dual monitors since you run Autocad.....the geforce is in mine. If you have any questions about specific hardware pm me.
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04/11/2012 04:42:32 PM · #3 |
Like Adam, I'm partial to Asus motherboards. The last several computers I've built I used Asus. They were the smoothest setups I've ever had, and I've been rolling my own since the '386. I also tend to go with AMD processors. I stay about 18-24 months behind the bleeding edge and that's where I usually find the most bang for the buck.
Make sure to get a good brand name power supply. It's not an item to skimp on.
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04/11/2012 07:09:42 PM · #4 |
Since you will be running engineering software, you will want power and memory. To that end, there is only one choice, and that is i7 processor, 8-16GB of RAM and a good GPU. AMD is washed up in the high-end CPU market, and rumor is they will exit this portion of the market space. I too like the ASUS motherboards. Your choices in processor, chipset, etc. kind of depend on how much you want to spend in this area. A reasonably fast i7-2600K processor will set you back only $320 or so, but if you want to go with the very high end, you could spend three times that, for not so much gain in processing power. You probably want the Z77 chipset if you choose an LGA1155 processor.
Workstation graphics would be a plus, you don't want a "gaming" graphics card. I use and would recommend the nVidia Quadro series. The one gotcha I've found with them is that they sometimes don't play well with "sleep mode when dual monitors are connected."
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04/11/2012 07:30:28 PM · #5 |
Ideally, you want to build your own.
If you haven't built one before, do not be intimidated. There are plenty of tutorials a google search away. As an engineer, you may have a learning advantage as well.
I was surprised to find so many other Asus backers here, as I am one myself. The only real piece of advice I would add would be to use a SSD drive as your primary hard drive and use a raided secondary drive (2+3?) for your storage needs. This will allow superb loadtimes and redundant storage in one unit. Keep an eye for any high speed connections you plan to use. If you don't have them right on your motherboard, you may need to install a seperate card for this purpose. Use a well reputed Power supply unit, and keep it at least 50-100 above your requirement to ensure smooth operation and to allow for future upgrades.
For the last machine i built, (few years ago), i used Tomshardware.com for inspiration on the build. Use Newegg.com or tigerdirect for your purchases if you're stuck on "where to buy". They have good pricing and excellent RMA policies just incase. |
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04/11/2012 07:52:53 PM · #6 |
| Both asus and gigabyte boards are a good choice, you can't go wrong with an i5 or i7 tbh depends on your budget ! ssds are also very nice to put windows and your apps on (very fast !) 8-16 gigs of ram and your set ! oh i run an i5 if you get the k version these are unlocked and easily overclock over 4ghz especially with an aftermarket cooler ! :-) |
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04/12/2012 10:22:48 AM · #7 |
Thanks everyone. Before I switched to Mac, I built my own PCs with, ASUS motherboards, but the company I used to source everything has gone on to other things.
So, for now, I'm looking at:
ASUS P8Z77-V motherboard
i7 2600K processor
8 or 16 MB RAM
SSD - for OS/programs
RAID for storage
A workstation graphics card (TBD) I see that a lot of motherboards have built in graphics output...I'm assuming that these 1) divert resources from computing to run the display, and 2) are less efficient than a graphics card with a dedicated GPU |
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04/12/2012 10:25:42 AM · #8 |
Originally posted by Spork99:
Thanks everyone. Before I switched to Mac, I built my own PCs with, ASUS motherboards, but the company I used to source everything has gone on to other things.
So, for now, I'm looking at:
ASUS P8Z77-V motherboard
i7 2600K processor
8 or 16 MB RAM
SSD - for OS/programs
RAID for storage
A workstation graphics card (TBD) I see that a lot of motherboards have built in graphics output...I'm assuming that these 1) divert resources from computing to run the display, and 2) are less efficient than a graphics card with a dedicated GPU |
I am sure you meant GB...I don't think they even make ram in the mb range anymore
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04/12/2012 10:38:17 AM · #9 |
Originally posted by cowboy221977:
Originally posted by Spork99:
Thanks everyone. Before I switched to Mac, I built my own PCs with, ASUS motherboards, but the company I used to source everything has gone on to other things.
So, for now, I'm looking at:
ASUS P8Z77-V motherboard
i7 2600K processor
8 or 16 MB RAM
SSD - for OS/programs
RAID for storage
A workstation graphics card (TBD) I see that a lot of motherboards have built in graphics output...I'm assuming that these 1) divert resources from computing to run the display, and 2) are less efficient than a graphics card with a dedicated GPU |
I am sure you meant GB...I don't think they even make ram in the mb range anymore |
I did. I must be getting old because also remember buying 8 KB of RAM |
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04/12/2012 10:49:54 AM · #10 |
Originally posted by Spork99:
I did. I must be getting old because also remember buying 8 KB of RAM |
Join the club, LOL! Brings back memories of endless trial-and-error edits of autoexec.bat and config.sys to get as many things as possible to "load high" and free up a few more kB of RAM at a time.
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04/12/2012 10:29:45 PM · #11 |
Computer Shopper 6/12 (UK) has a cover story on "Build Your Own PC: Make a dream computer in an afternoon", though it's true there is plenty of info online.
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