[Timjs17]

Hi,

 

I visited this forum some years ago, and I recieved great help with trying to chose components for a new system. Well, it's been 10 years or so, and I'm in need of similar assistance!

 

My system is pretty dated now, and I need to upgrade as I will be using it a lot for CAD design work. It'll be mainly 2D work, so nothing too taxing, but every now and and then I may be required to do 3D modelling and rendering etc. It will not be used for games.

 

This is what I currently have:

 

Antec 900 Case

EVGA nFORCE 680i Motherboard

1536MB EVGA GTX480 (this is the newest component!)

Intel Q6600 CPU

4 x 2GB OCZ DDR2 800Mhz PC2 6400 RAM

Samsung Spinpoint SATA II 1TB hard drive

Hiper 5th Gen 730W PSU

 

Now, a lot of this stuff is pretty old, so naturally I need to upgrade. I've got a budget of around £500 give or take. I don't need to worry about a monitor as my old one still works fine.

 

Would any one be able to help suggest components that I can buy in order to give me a PC that will be of reasonable spec, capable of handling the work described above?

 

Preferably, I would need to buy from www.scan.co.uk, or www.ebuyer.com.

 

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Edited by Timjs17, 20 August 2015 - 09:53 AM.

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Gday Timjs17, welcome back.

Your existing system draws more power than a more modern one will, so I see no reason to upgrade the PSU,   Same goes for the GPU, and case, the HDD could be reused.

 

Could you please tell us the CAD Software being used? 

Do you have an optical drive. 

Your OS, if windows, is it 32 or 64 bit?   Full Retail or OEM version?   If it is an OEM version, you will not be able to install it on a new system, you will need a new one, this will lower your budget for other parts.

[iammykyl]

Gday Timjs17, welcome back.

Your existing system draws more power than a more modern one will, so I see no reason to upgrade the PSU,   Same goes for the GPU, and case, the HDD could be reused.

 

Could you please tell us the CAD Software being used? 

Do you have an optical drive. 

Your OS, if windows, is it 32 or 64 bit?   Full Retail or OEM version?   If it is an OEM version, you will not be able to install it on a new system, you will need a new one, this will lower your budget for other parts.

[Timjs17]

Hi iammykyl, thanks for getting back to me.

 

Okay that's good to hear, I was wondering whether I could keep any components, but wasn't sure given their age.

 

I'll be using the latest version of AutoCAD, and there may be a need to use 3DSMax also.

 

I do have two optical drives, however I think these are not working properly anymore, so will need to get a new one.

 

As for windows, I will most likely need a new copy. I currently have Windows vista on there, and will look to upgrade to windows 10.

 

With regards to the case, I had planned on getting a new, smaller one - the Antec 900 is fairly cumbersome and I want something much smaller, though I am aware the fitting the GPU may be a problem with a smaller case.

 

Many thanks!

Edited by Timjs17, 20 August 2015 - 11:02 PM.

[iammykyl]

Thanks for the reply Timjs17.

CAD being mostly single threaded require the fastest CPU you can afford.   

3DMax can make use of multi threading, so an i7 will fit the bill.

 

Although the MB is designated, "Gaming", selected for durability, able to take a beating, > http://www.asrock.co...ty Z97X Killer/

 

2 SSDs, second used for scratch disc in 3DMax, and active projuct in AutoCad, Info from this site I trust, > https://www.pugetsys...Recommendations

Use your existing HDDD for storage.

 

Gone over your budget, so a new case, a wish? or a must have?

 

A sugested build to consider, > http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/mb6kt6

[Timjs17]

Thanks again iammykyl, that list looks fantastic.

 

I can play around with the budget to be honest, but the £500 mark was around the figure I was looking for, but if it comes a few hundred over its fine.

 

In terms of a case, yes it's something I think I'll need - the girlfriend doesn't like the size of the antec so I have to get a smaller one! Would you have any recommendations? Something minimalist and simple would be preferable.

 

Other than that, the list you've given me looks perfect, so once I've got a case I'll order it all

[iammykyl]

 You are very welcome.

You won't be able to go below a Mid Tower, you video cards dimensions, 4.376" H x 10.5" L and tthe MB is ATX.

 

I will see what I can find, no side window or LED fans?

 

[Timjs17]

Yeah I wasn't sure on what size I could go down to given how big the GPU is.... Yes no led fans or side window, just something sleek and simple, and as small as possible!

 

i've had a little look at some cases. There are two that I've found I like:

 

http://www.amazon.co...e cooler master

 

and

 

http://www.amazon.co...ds=pc case nzxt

 

I appreciate the second one does not have room for an internal ODD, so would need an external one..

 

Would either of these be okay though? As in, the GPU will fit?

Edited by Timjs17, 23 August 2015 - 01:19 AM.

[iammykyl]

Sorry for the delay, Just a bit busy getting ready for a triip to the UK, leaving today.   

The  H440 good, GPU fit OK, > https://www.nzxt.com...-mid-tower.html

 

Case choice is somewhat personal, so my first choice is,

> http://www.fractal-d...define-r5-white

2nd choice, > http://www.fractal-d...r4-arctic-white

Both have sound proofing. 

3rd would be the Silencio 652S http://www.coolermas...r/silencio652s/but only comes in black. > http://www.scan.co.uk/products/cooler-master-silencio-652s-usb-30-matte-black-silent-mid-tower-case-w-o-psu   The  Silencio 550 is still good, but no more fans can be added, more expensive than the Silencio 652S.

[Timjs17]

no worries, thanks again for the reply. I've gone for the H440, simply out of personal preference.I've ordered everything, so once it's here and set up I'll let you know how it is.

 

Also, in a couple of months I'll be getting 2 new monitors for this - what would you suggest? I currently have a Dell 2407WP, but it's a bit on the old side now.

 

 

Many thanks

[phillpower2]

Hello Timjs17,

 

Just a courtesy post to let you know that iammykyl has asked me to watch your thread for a couple of days while he is unable to check in due to flying to the UK.

 

You have settled on a case so that clears that up, regarding the choice of new screens, I would suggest waiting until nearer the purchase date before deciding, reason being that new products are released on a regular basis + one or more companies have new special offers each day.