Built-in computer?

[vru]

Hi

 

I do not have much knowledge on what I should have in my computer to work and render fast and smooth. I have been reading some posts here but more knowledge is just confusing me more. So I was wondering if there is anywhere I can buy a good desktop which has all the good things in it or can be customized slightly. Please let me know where I can get such a thing whether on Dell or somewhere else.

 

Thanks a lot!

Vrushali

[vru]

Thanks for your replies...but I am blank as before. Could you please guide me step by step on how to customize your pc. I dont even know where to start.

 

Thanks

Vrushali

[AFK_Matrix]

Hi,

 

It might help if you give us the Specs of the PC you have know so we can advise what you can upgrade/can't upgrade. Or if it would be better in the long run to start again and build your own with the right parts you need.

[Tamir]

Start by establishing your budget, then; continue by establishing priorities.

When working with visualization you should consider the software you use for the following:

 

·Does it support hardware acceleration, and to what extent?

·Does it support multi threading, all the time, or just for rendering?

 

Based on these answers you can begin your priority list. If you’re like most people in the Arc-Viz industry, your list should look something like that:

 

1. Central processing unit (CPU): type, speed, bus. / Number of CPU’s

2. Amount of random access memory (RAM) and speed of memory.

3. Graphics processor unit (GPU) type, speed, buffer memory.

4. Hard drives: size, speed.

5. ROM drive: type, speed

 

For these you can add some more refined stuff such as: motherboard type, cooling type, power supply etc, etc, etc.

 

If you are not knowledgeable enough, you should consider enlarging your budget and contact the workstation sales department of a trusted manufacturer. Many of them will have configurations which are already optimized for use with specific software, like Maya for 3D content creation, or Q-base for digital sound creation.

One company which I can recommend personally is Boxx Technologies, a bit expensive, but worth every penny. You may check out their website at: http://www.boxxtech.com/

 

You may also get an idea - of what is a good configuration - on these websites, than buy the same components yourself and build the system at home, with the help of a friend who knows how to do this.

 

And finally consider this:

A good home built system will cost you about $1,500 to $2,000 (not including video card – these will range anywhere from $500 to $3,500) and on top of that you should add assembly and a copy of Windows.

A good system from a trusted manufacturer (Boxx for instance) will cost you about $4,000 to $8,000 depending on your video card choice and CPU speed.

 

Good Luck

[AJLynn]

Regulars will be surprised by this but I saw a review for a computer you can buy in a store that's not made by Apple that looked impressive. HP Pavilion Elite m9000t - Q6600 oc'ed to 3200, 2gb, 500gb, some version of the nVidia 8600, HDDVD+Blu Ray and DVD burner for $1500.

[Hazdaz]

The Original Poster said that he is NOT familiar with hardware/customization and some of you guys are posting to "build your own"!?!

 

I am all for building, rather than buying (unless you find a hell of a deal), but that's because I know how to build PCs... I wouldn't never recommend that option to someone with 0 PC knowledge.

 

 

AJLYNN's spec'ed out PC sounds pretty much exactly what the Original Poster would need... well except for the BluRay drive which is a complete waste of money.

My new PC is an Acer, has mostly the same specs as that HP (minus the useless Hi-Def drive) which I got for about about $750.