Buying a used machine - thoughts... i7-3770k, great PSU, great case, ok mobo

[tecton3d]

Hey guys, it's been a while since I've been on here but, as always, am appreciating all of the great advice!

 

Here's the situation, I'm getting back into the freelancing ring and will be looking to experiment and exploit GPU rendering with Octane, Iray, and VrayRT. As such, I know that requires a pretty robust system and I'm drooling at the idea of building a skt 2011 3930k system on an Asus X79 WS board but, with the cost of high-end GPU's am apprehensive of investing that much money, at this point. However, I know that with Haswell on the horizon, and being pretty dissapointing in terms of ROI for us, a socket 2011, 4GPU capable system is about as future proof as you can get for the forseeable future.

 

Moving forward. I have found a system that I would consider a mid-range 3d workstation with very good components, but some better than others for a VERY reasonable price of $840.

 

Used system - the specs:

CPU: 3770k

HSF: Corsair H60

OS: windows ultimate

RAM: 8gb ram, 4x2 pc3 12800

MOBO: Asrock extreme 4 z77 1155 (max 2 gpu's)

LG blu-ray drive

GPU: 2x: gtx555 (these would get me started but need upgraded), seller will swap these for single GTX 480

HD: WD 500gb 7200rpm BSD

PSU: Corsair hx1050X (very good PSU)

CASE: Corsair 800D (Very high-end case)

 

...As you can see, that is a good starter machine. Upgrade the RAM, GPU's, and add a small SSD and i think I'd have a very respectable workstation at a hell of a price. Spec'd new on Newegg an equivalent system is +/- $1600 so it's a deal as the PSU, Case, and CPU alone are still worth more than the asking price for everything. I'm hesitant to pass up on this but still have the itch to not spend money unwisely and can't shake the bug to go full-on socket 2011.

 

with upgrades to the used machine

used machine purchase price - 840

RAM - 125

GPU - 450 (evga GTX 470 4gb Superclocked)

SSD - 125 (128gb for OS and programs)

 

so the total, including upgrades comes out to +/- $1540 for an I7-3770k machine. Respectable numbers, I think, to get me back in the ring.

 

the new custom socket 2011 system I'm thinking about:

CPU: 3930k

HSF: hyper 212 evo (upgrade to h100i later...? or purchase now? potatoes/potaatooes)

MOBO: asus p9x79 ws (up to 4 GPU's)

STORAGE: wd black 1tb BSD

GPU: evga 670 4gb (single card at this point)

PSU: hx 1050x

RAM: HyperX Beast 2x8gb 2133

SSD: Crucial M4 128bg SataIII MLC

CASE: Rosewill Thor V2

 

this thing weighs in @ $2464, will perform better, and get me further down the road with overall CPU power, the ability to add 3 more GPU's when needed, and more RAM expandability but is significantly more expensive than the other option I'm considering... so my quandry is, is the extra $1000 spent now, worth it?" The answer is relative, I understand, but would appreciate some perspectives on my issue.

 

I could also build a 3570k, 1155 system and shave about $500 from the socket 2011 system...

 

final thoughts, what would you do in my situation? I'm trying to save $$ but don't want to make the wrong decision and spend money unwisely.

 

Thank you for your time!

Edited April 20, 2013 by tecton3d