The Gun Counter

I will be heading back to commie indoctrination land (college) to complete my 4 year in Mech Engineering come summer.
The wife currently does a ton of photoshop work as well as some video editing for TV commercials as part of her job.

We need a desktop that will be able to run 2D/3D modeling programs (AutoCAD and the like) as well as Photoshop and video editing software without beating the shit out of the system / making us WAIT days to crunch the data.

Maybe 20 years ago, I was up on all the jingles and dingles of what was a good thing. Not so much anymore. I just want a computer that works properly and does what we need and will continue to do so for a few years.

The idea is to build, not to order a computer from Dell or one of the other shops and to stay below $600 -- not including monitor.

A big help would be giving a brother a clue as to what processor, core, minimum RAM, minimum HD space, video drivers...
Once I have a clue, I can go on New Egg (or equivalent) and cobble together a system. Actually, the son will likely do that. He enjoys it.

He will also likely do the assembly.

thanks a lot. now you have me looking at NewEgg and realizing how out of touch I am with current costs/availability...


If the S&H continues on the ME track this is a build project he'll need to start considering in the next term or two.

I think for the CAD you want

Processor: i7 or equivalent
Ram: 6GB min
Hard drive: 500GB min

Video I'm a little fuzzy on.

I actually need to build the same thing (excl photoshop). I haven't been able to spec what I want for less than $600.

Here's a site that will let you "build" a set of components and give you some ideas where the best part prices are: http://pcpartpicker.com/.

Keep this updated so I can be a remora on your research.

Also, look here for the specific requirements for whichever CAD you're running: http://usa.autodesk.com/support/system-requirements/

I kind of like this build, but I'm way open to advice, criticism, contumely, or just plain contrarian nitpicking.

prepares to show ignorance

why would you have the solid state 120GB drive plus the 1 TB drive?

Also (not that it matters at $20) but why two optical drives?

This is me doing a wish list with not too much research. Notice I didn't pick a case because I have a spare one lying around.

I understand (and I'm open to correction) that if you install your OS on a solid state drive, you get much better performance. The 1TB would be for file storage. Windows 7 needs 16GB on the disk.

Two optical drives? Just because. I also wonder if you can duplicate DVD's or CD's drive to drive with the right software.

ETA: I'm also not sure I have all the necessary cables included.

Weetabix wrote:This is me doing a wish list with not too much research. Notice I didn't pick a case because I have a spare one lying around.

I understand (and I'm open to correction) that if you install your OS on a solid state drive, you get much better performance. The 1TB would be for file storage. Windows 7 needs 16GB on the disk.

Two optical drives? Just because. I also wonder if you can duplicate DVD's or CD's drive to drive with the right software.

ETA: I'm also not sure I have all the necessary cables included.

fair enough.
Would installing Photoshop or AutoCAD on the solid state help as well?

Make sure you can support 2 (side by side) displays -- and think big for displays. If you start doing a lot of CAD you'll want it.

blackeagle603 wrote:Make sure you can support 2 (side by side) displays -- and think big for displays. If you start doing a lot of CAD you'll want it.

my plan was to buy at the value point. seems like 27" is right before prices go exponential. Most likely start with a single and a few months later add a second one.