New Post/Build, looking for comments

[Hick]

Hello Everybody,

My first post and build

Been doing research on your site, Bought and read Rob's book, and want to build my own PC. I have over the last 15 years replaced at one time or another all the components in all my different computers. I feel I'm ready to take this project on. (with a little help from you folks of course).

I'm a home Designer/Builder. Need a new computer for my partner. We use a CAD program.(SolidBuilder) for all of our work. The program allows us to build the complete home in 3D in the computer. We are looking for a fast computer. We have 3 year old laptops we are using now. (looking for a desktop ) As the drawing gets larger, our laptops slow down. We want to stay on XP for our OS. Will use just some other software. (Word, Adobe Reader, Excel, Outlook .)
My proposed build below. (which is in my price range)

Case: Cooler Master Elite 330:confused: $34.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16811119115

MOBO: ABIT IP35 Pro LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Motherboard $139.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813127030

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 Conroe 3.0GHz 4M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Duel-core Proceesor $264.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16819115037

Memory: Corsair XMS2 2GB (2x1GB) 240 pin DDR2 $34.00
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16820145034

PSU: Corsair CMPSU-520HX Atx12V v2.2 520 Watt $124.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16817139001

Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar SE16 320GB 7200RPM 16MB Cache SATA-300 $74.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16822136074

Video Card: PNY VCQFX1500-PCIE-PB-V Quadro FX1500
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133179

DVD/CD: ASUS 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 14X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 20X DVD+- R DVD Burner with Lightscribe $38.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135156

Monitor: Going shopping this week in Denver

Keyboard/mouse Microsoft Comfort Cure 2000 $21.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16823109156

Processor Cooling: Artic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro 92mm $26.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16835186134

Thermal Compound: Artic Cooling MX-2 $6.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16835186020

Any comments by anybody would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Mike Hickman

[shyster]

Welcome,

Motherboard: Lots of people are having issues with it recently especially combined with the e8400. You might want to consider at least looking at the gigabyte d3sr or the abit IP35. I do not have any personal experience with them like I do the p5kc, but numerous people on this board recommend those two along with the p5kc.

Processor: Since you are doing work in CAD you might want to look at using a quad core, I believe that the cad programs can make use of the four cores making them better than duo cores usually. They are more expensive, about $100 or so more, but they should be more useful for 3d design and redering. I do not know how soon you want this computer, but if you can wait another month, hopefully less, they new 45nm intel quad cores should be coming out and they are supposed to smoke the current intel quad as well as even the e8400's. They should be around the same price as the current quads when they come out, but because of demand and inflation they might be more.

Video Card: I have not used and CAD software before so I do not know how strong a graphics card you would need, but I imagine that one you have selected should work.

Other than your case being plain in terms of looks, all of your other components look good. It looks like you spent some time checking out what other people have been getting and what has been recommended, nice!

As always second opinions are not just good they should be mandatory.

[Hick]

Will spend some more time in here and look into that MOBO ,with that Processer, issues.
I Don't need to build ASAP. I can wait awhile. The case is plain but appears to have good cooling (venting). Which I tend to lean towards. Most of the problems I have had with oem machines in the past (Lack of venting) has caused video cards, PSU's, and etc to overheat and die.

Question on my CAD program. Does the software have to be designed to work with the Four cores processors? The little bit more in cost for the 4 core chip and the wait sounds if it would be worth it.

I think I'm ok with the video card. I can always upgrade if we are not happy. It's one of the many reasons why we want to build our own PC is the ease of upgade-abilty.

Again Thanks.
Mike

[RickyTick]

Welcome Hick.

That's a terrific build.

Storage is cheap these days, so take a look at the 500gb version of that hard drive. Its not much more.

If it's within your budget, look at some bigger monitors. The prices really jump up a lot when you get to the 24 inch and above. Go to a computer store or Best Buy or somewhere so you can see the different monitors and get a better feel for the sizes. Just a thought.

[shyster]

Yes the CAD software does need to be designed to work with it, but the majority of 3d design programs are setup to use it as I understand it. I would however call the company and just see if it supports "Multithreading" or quad core processors. If it does support it then that would almost definately be the way to go. With a quad and especially the new Q9450, I believe that is the one, you should be able to design a city with no slow down. I am of course kidding but really it should be a considerable improvement if it does support the quad core.

This would be a link to it:

http://www.pcsforeveryone.com/Product/Intel/BX80569Q9450

Not that it really tells you all that much, but just so you have an idea on price, you could of course just google it and get a whole list, that is what I just did. If it does look like something you want and you have confirmed that your software can utilize the quad core you might consider pre-ordering it if you can since the E8400's are almost impossible to find now, and these quads seem to have even more attention to them.

[chunkylover53]

For an intense program such as Solidworks, you really need a Quadro video card and a quad core processor so I'm not surprised your laptop is dragging. At the same time, but you don't really need a $3,500 dual processor workstation.

If you have time on your hands and wiggle room in your budget, you could wait until the Q9450 comes out (45nm, runs cooler, yada yada). However, with this new quad coming out it is likely that the 65nm Quads will start to drop in price (although they've hardly budged in months, so who knows). Many of the processes in Solidworks are multithreaded, and for this kind of work it is a better choice then a dual core, but not glaringly. If you can get your hands on either the E8400 or the Q6600, you'll be fine. Besides, you'll need the extra money for...

... the video card. IMO you need a Quadro card that supports Open GL 2.0 like the one below to run that program right. I would say it's more important that the CPU, but unfortunately a card like this won't run on just any chip. Check out the SolidWorks site and look for minimum specifications, and I'm sure it says that somewhere. I posted another link below so that you can see what the options are when building the kind of rig your talking about. As you can see bare bones is an 8800GT OC 512MB, which is an amazing card in it's own right.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133179

http://www.pcsforeveryone.com/System/ESX_Intel_2000_Series

As for the rest, I think you start with the card and work backwards.

[Hick]

Shyster, Chunkylover53, RickyTick,

Thanks for the replays. Will contact my software people and see if their program supports "Multithreading" or Quad core processors first thing Monday morning.
I'm leaning towards getting a chip I can purchase now instead of waiting for the Q9450 to be on the market, and how it affects the price of the present 65nm cards quads.

If my program does not support the new chips I leaning towards (now) The ABIT IP35 Pro LGA 775 Intel P35 Atx Intel Motherboard with a Intel Core 2 E6850 Conroe 3.0GHz 4M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 65 W Dual-Core Processor.

If my program does support Quad. same MOBO as above and use the Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2x4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Quad-Core processor and suggested by Chunkylover53. Since the E8400 IS hard to find.

Have done some more reading and I now leaning towards the card that Chunkylover53 suggested. The PNY VCQFX1500-PCIE-V Quadro FX1500 256MB 256-bit GDDR3.

Question Chunkylover53. if I don't have a quad core processor do I still need a Quad video card?

And finally, RickyTick. Don't need a larger drive, We have a USB 750GB ex.drive we use for back-up. But your idea to look at monitors at the retail level for feel is one I intend to do.

Again thanks for your time and thoughts.
Mike

[chunkylover53]

I don't think you need a Quad to run this card, but it does need to be fast. As always, double check the vendor's webiste before you buy anything. I'd hate to see you pick up a $450 card on my advice, only to find out it needs jet fuel to run it adequately. You should be able to get minimum system requirements (motherboard, CPU, memory, etc.) for that card at the PNY or Nvidia sites.

[Hick]

Build team,

I contacted my software programer's, SoildBuilder does not support quad-cores.
That being said I have modified my build in my 1st post to show the changes.:)

Chunkylover53, checked on the OEM site for the PNY card and it will sing with above mentioned processor.:)

costs are up from my first paper build but I can live with these numbers. I think I will have a great 1st build.:)

Again Thank's for all the input. And will still look at any comments from anybody.

Mike

[shyster]

Looks good to me.

It is a shame that your software does not support multi-threading, but at least with these parts, should they update the software to support it at a later date so can you.

[Hick]

Shyster,

Our program is somewhat behind the times. But you are right, I can always upgrade down the road. Just goes to show why a person should build their computer.

Again thanks to all that took the time to offer suggestions.

Mike

[Hick]

Got all the parts in one day, built the next, loaded windows and software the next day, bought the monitor at Costco. The first build was a complete success. Been using it for about 2 weeks now, and no problems. Its Fast. Love it. Want to thank Shyster,Chunkylover53,and RickyTrick for the input. Your help was great. Looking forward to the next build.

Thanks
Mike

[shyster]

Congratulations on getting your computer up and running. It is especially nice to hear they all arrived together and in one piece, and that you did not have any troubles with the assembly or POST, as that is where most people have issues.