Upgrade Advice

[servarus]

I am planning to upgrade my PC, so I'd like to get some advice on what hardware should I buy. I'm a student so my budget will be tight.

 

My current system is an AMD, it's cheap and has some performance. I recently got a new motherboard that supports X6. But one of my friend is using X4 965 and it is quite fast.

 

So I was thinking, which one is better in the long term? X6 or X4?

 

And I am thinking of getting a new graphic card, maybe cross-fire? A dual 5750 should be nice, no? I'm planning to buy another monitor in the near future too.

 

I am using AutoCAD 2010, SketchUp 7 + V-ray, 3D Max + mental ray, Photoshop CS3.

 

My Current Setup:

AMD Phenom II X4 925, 2.8GHz

4GB DDR3 RAM

2.5TB HDD

ECS A790GXM-AD3

Sapphire ATI 5750

500W CM PSU

Edited May 16, 2011 by servarus

[AJLynn]

I'd get the X6. The cost difference is very little as a percent of the computer cost, and it adds 50% to the render power. Also consider upgrading the ram if you get the opportunity.

[servarus]

I'd get the X6. The cost difference is very little as a percent of the computer cost, and it adds 50% to the render power. Also consider upgrading the ram if you get the opportunity.

I see. Thanks for the info. I got anther 4GB RAM unused, since I got 32-bit Windows. If I change to 64-bit, do I still retain the license?

 

Graphic Card wise, what do you think?

[AJLynn]

Some copies of Windows come with both 32 and 64. Sometimes "system builder" copies only come with one or the other. So check what you've got, and if you don't have 64-bit try Newegg for a copy or maybe Microsoft will sell you some kind of upgrade, I'm really not sure. Applications these days usually give you both, but check on whether there's a procedure to uninstall the license so you can re-license later.

 

Video cards - what's your budget and do you run any CUDA stuff?

[servarus]

Some copies of Windows come with both 32 and 64. Sometimes "system builder" copies only come with one or the other. So check what you've got, and if you don't have 64-bit try Newegg for a copy or maybe Microsoft will sell you some kind of upgrade, I'm really not sure. Applications these days usually give you both, but check on whether there's a procedure to uninstall the license so you can re-license later.

Oh, thanks. Sent an e-mail to Microsoft to ask about it.

 

Video cards - what's your budget and do you run any CUDA stuff?

I'm not so sure about the CUDA stuff. I'm doing basic graphic stuff:

 

• Photoshop, making banners, presentation board, designs.
  
• 3D Max: Modelling and rendering using Mental Ray.
  
• Sketch Up: Modelling and rendering using V-Ray.
  
• AutoCAD: CAD Drawing and 3D Modelling.
  

I don't think I encountered any CUDA words in those activities. If I am not mistaken it's usually related to video and processing activity, right?

 

My current budget for now is $130USD. I could wait to increase the budget, depending on the advice. For now I am thinking of getting another 5750 to CrossFire it. Not so sure about the performance gain.