Help me choose components for a PC

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timmmay

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#90662 27-Sep-2011 09:36

I want to build myself a new PC. I'm a professional photographer, I use it primarily as a photography workstation, which means processing 20-30GB of RAW images per event. I also do regular stuff, email, web, videos, etc. I never play games or do 3D work. Speed is my first priority, but a quiet PC is important too.

I might like to try making a Hackintosh some time, just out of curiosity. I don't want to switch to Mac, my software, workflow, etc is all windows based. Having hardware that might let try it in future would be nice. I run Win7-64, I already have a license i'll transfer from my old machine. I'll put linux on that and use it as a server, or just sell it.

I use Ascent mostly, and Aquila sometimes, so things must be available from one of those stores.

I already have a 60GB SSD and a 120GB SSD, and plenty of spinning disks. The 60GB SSD is for my OS, the 120GB is for my image cache, swap, etc.

Parts i've chosen so far:
- i7 2700K. I'll overclock it a little if the motherboard makes it easy.

Parts I think i'll go with
- Gigabyte GA-P67A-UD3R-B3 Motherboard
- Corsair XMS3 RAM (16GB)

Parts I still need
- nVidia based video card (nVidia are better for Photoshop than ATI cards). I need 1GB or more of video RAM, but processing power isn't really important. I need a DVI out and a VGA out, the VGA is for my older LCD TV, which has HDMI but VGA just looks better. If I can get 2xDVI and VGA that'd be great, but I can always add another video card later.

- CPU cooler. Something quiet and easy to fit. The one on my current Q6600 PC attaches the fan to the heatsink with rubber lugs that keep falling off.

- Case. Something black or discrete and professional, quiet, and with room for three or four spinning disks, a DVD drive, and a couple of SSDs. Right now my SSDs just lay about somewhere inside the case.

- Modular power supply - if the case doesn't include one, or doesn't have a good one. I don't need a huge PS, my current PC uses 100W under full load so 400W would be heaps even for a new machine.

- Case fans. Big, slow, and quiet.

Any help appreciated :)

stevenz

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#526147 27-Sep-2011 12:04

If you want to build a Hackintosh, then build a machine as per the tested components over at tonymacx86.com - otherwise there's good odds it'll be a pain in the bum to get it running.

Case: Something from Silverstone or Vantec, or if you're feeling rich, Lian Li. Most cases are pretty awful and they seem to insist on putting stupid windows or moulded plastic BS on them.

PSU: I'd go with a reasonable Enermax or Silverstone, (I'd probably look at the Silverstone ST50F-P if I were to build a machine now)

I think you'd be hard put to find a video card that didn't have at _least_ 2 digital outputs on it. I've got a ~2 year old nVidia GTS250 which has DVI, VGA and HDMI, IIRC it's a 1GB card, shouldn't be an issue finding something comparable now for sub-$200. Most cards will have DVI-I outputs so you can run them through a DVI->VGA adaptor (which they often come with).

My system had some big Antec fans in it and the HDD was the noisiest component in the whole system.

The gigabyte board looks like a good choice, most of the UD3R series is fairly Hackintosh friendly IIRC.

@KnightNZ

michaelt

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#526156 27-Sep-2011 12:31

By 2*DVI + VGA, do you mean that you're planning to connect 3 monitors at the same time? If so, that won't work. Even if the card has those ports, you'll only be able to use 2 at the same time. If you want 3, you'll need two video cards. Alternatively, you could get a Z68 motherboard + a video card, and use integrated + dedicated graphics simultaneously.

I'd be careful about using multiple graphics cards in that motherboard. The PCI-e slots are configured in a x16/x4 configuration. I'm not sure, but I think if you use the x4 slot then the x16 slot is slowed to x4 as well. In addition, using any of the x1 slots will slow the x4 down to x1 as well.

Again, I'd look for a motherboard with x8/x8 PCI-e slots, or a Z68 motherboard if you want to use integrated + dedicated (or both, to keep your options open).

I wouldn't be too worried about finding a VGA port. Most video cards with DVI will support VGA (with an adapter) over at least one of the DVI ports. The adapters are usually included.

For the case, I'd look at the Antec P183 (or P193) and Fractal Design R3. The Antec Three Hundred or Antec One Hundred are good cheaper options.

That Silverstone PSU isn't considered top-tier. It's not bad, but it does have some ripple. It's probably fine though. Make sure to look up some reviews before buying anything, especially if you plan to overclock.

timmmay

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#526179 27-Sep-2011 13:24

Thanks guys, lots of valuable information there.

This case has been recommended, it looks good. Big, but good. The recommendation for Silverstone above adds weight to that too. Lian Li were recommended too, and Antec. I have an Antec Sonata right now, and it's not so quiet. Price isn't my biggest issue, volume is more important, within reason.

Good info about PCI ports. I doubt i'll run three monitors, so a normal card should be fine. I would prefer not to use adapters, just because I suspect my TV is a bit fussy. It's a Samsung 720p.

There are so many video card options, 210, 220, 430/440, 550/560/570/580, etc, and multiple brands of each. Can anyone think of a good reason to go for anything other than a cheap 220 card like this one? It has VGA, DVI, and HDMI, and it's cheap. I suspect the higher up cards are for gamers, I won't really use 3D video or faster processors, but having plenty of vRam helps. I can always upgrade later if I need to anyway, once software starts taking advantage of the video card more.

I'll google power supply reviews, I think I read one at Toms not so long ago so that's easy to look up.

For RAM, would you suggest Corsair Vengeance 1600 or Corsair XMS3 1333? Real world benchmarks say there's little difference between them, but the XMS3 is on the compatibility list, the Vengeance isn't. I might overclock a little, but not much, i'd rather have a stable system.

michaelt

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#526192 27-Sep-2011 13:46

The RV02's a good choice. You do realise that since the motherboard is rotated, all the cables will be plugged in on the top, instead of the back? That makes it harder to hide the cabling in most cases.

The Antec Sonata's quite an old case, their designs have improved significantly since then. But the RV02's a good choice if you like the design (and are comfortable with the price).

DVI-VGA adaptors usually work without problems (as long as your graphics card has DVI-I ports). I understand your hesitation, but in this case I wouldn't worry about it.

I don't really know what video card to use for Photoshop, so can't really help you there.

As for the RAM, I'd probably recommend the DDR3-1600 actually. There's little difference usually, but I understand Photoshop is one of the applications where you might see a slight (~3% or so) improvement. Personally I just used the cheapest DDR3-1333 I could find, but between those two options I'd go for the 1600.

timmmay

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#526227 27-Sep-2011 14:53

The cabling will be hidden inside the case, so I don't much care what it looks like! I rarely open the case. One other thing is I keep things on top of my case, like the CIS (continuous ink system) for my printer, so one fan I can deal with, but otherwise a flat top is better. I think that rules out the RV02. The Antec 183/193 seem to be better for that. The 183 reviews say cooling is only ok, and the 193 has a huge ugly fan on the side. I think the Antec P180 mini full tower looks good.

For power supply i'm thinking Antec High Current Gamer 520. It seems like a good value, fine performing power supply, with a quiet 135mm fan. I wanted modular, but they seem to be $300+.

For graphics card I think the Gigabyte 220 should be fine. It has VGA and DVI, and costs $90. Benchmarks show no difference between a 240 and 560 video card.

michaelt

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#526278 27-Sep-2011 16:00

I meant external cabling (monitors, keyboard, mice, etc). In the RV02 they all come out the top instead of the back.

The Antec P180 mini only takes micro-ATX motherboards. The GA-P67A-UD3R-B3 won't fit.

The Antec 183 doesn't have the best cooling, but that's largely because much of the design focus was on noise reduction.

I'd take another look at the Antec Three Hundred and Antec One Hundred cases. They're cheap and have good performance (and aren't anywhere near as horrifically styled as most "gamer" cases).

That PSU seems like a good choice.

It's possible the 220 will be fine for your uses. If the 240 and 560 perform the same, then the benchmark likely makes minimal use (if any) of GPU acceleration.

timmmay

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#526289 27-Sep-2011 16:19

Good spotting with the case, thanks Michael! I'll check out those case options when i'm at home tonight.

Photoshop doesn't use much in the way of graphics acceleration, just a bit of OpenGL. If that changes video cards are cheap and easy to upgrade. Anything will be faster than my current one anyway.

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timmmay

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#526484 27-Sep-2011 21:24

I think the Antec 183 is the case for me. It's not available for a couple of weeks, but that's fine, i'm not in a big rush. I like this Lian Li case, but it's super expensive, $200 more than the Antec.

Thanks for everyone's help :) Comments on the graphics card is still welcome.

LookingUp

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#526726 28-Sep-2011 13:10

As an aside, I'd be interested in comments on this:

http://www.dragonpc.co.nz/pk.aspx?838&ssid=

The motherboard has been replaced by a newer model but their website hasn't been updated yet. A quick look around didn't turn up anything near as good for the price. I'm seriously considering one of these.

Other than a tacky case, it might be close to what you're after?

Thoughts or comments?

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LookingUp

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#526729 28-Sep-2011 13:11

OK, try this URL... http://www.dragonpc.co.nz/pk.aspx?838

Things are LookingUp.... A photo from my back yard :-)

timmmay

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#526736 28-Sep-2011 13:23

That's actually pretty good value. I want to choose my own components though.

Right now i'm thinking (in addition to above):
- GeForce 520 video card (easy to upgrade later if needed)
- Cooler Master Silencio 550 case
- This CPU cooler
- Antec PSU

I'm pretty happy with the idea of these, so i'll probably go ahead and order soon.

Bugzptr

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#526747 28-Sep-2011 13:45

I'm a big fan of the NZXT Hush2

http://www.ascent.co.nz/productspecification.aspx?ItemID=397711

It's a little bit more than the CoolerMaster you've listed, but I recommend it.

I've got an Antec Signature SG-650 in mine and I've long been impressed with how quiet that PSU is.

timmmay

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#526758 28-Sep-2011 13:56

Thanks for the NZXT tip. I had a quick read of some reviews, and they seem pretty similar really. I prefer the flat top of the Cooler Master case though.

I think the Antec power supply i've chosen will be fine, with a 135mm fan, and it's great value too.

timmmay

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#526775 28-Sep-2011 14:30

All ordered! Thanks to everyone for their help choosing components.