First Time Build: £2K (inc peripherals)

WickedWood · 17 Sep 2011 at 19:32

I've been putting off buying for about half a year now (hence the large amount saved for the build) muddling along with my bastardBootcampingWindowsIntelMac that is starting to be a wee bit slow for HD rendering. I'm currently a student animator/vfx artist but this build is to last me through my last year at uni into freelance work. I'll want to run all the latest Autodesk and Adobe software, lots of particle simulation and raytracing (sexy!). Compositing with HD footage. Want to be as general as possible with my freelance work (cast a wide net and all that) so a nice all round machine would be great.

Main reason for putting off the build is that I'm woefully undereducated (emphasis on the 'derr'). I've got a computing A-level under my belt so I know my components but it's brands and compatibility that I'm struggling with.

Also do a lot of digital painting so looking at a large Intuos4 so really I've got around to spend £1780. If I've got money left over then I'd go for a dual monitor setup.
So what would you do with £1780 if you had those specification? and any advice would be very welcomed.

stulid · 17 Sep 2011 at 19:50

Your not quite clear on what you need for the money?

Operating System?
Mouse+Keyboard etc?

So I have done everything for £2K

• 16GB of matched memory
• 256GB SSD for the OS and programs, 2TB HDD for storage.
• Gen3 motherboard for PCI--E3.0 with Ivybridge CPU released next year.
• Two DELL monitors for the high image quality.
• Gold rated PSU will save power and thus reduced electricity bill.

Randomface74 · 17 Sep 2011 at 19:56

speakers and or headset?

stulid · 17 Sep 2011 at 19:58

Suppose the £27 left from 2K will get - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SP-151-CL&groupid=702&catid=22&subcat=1920

Randomface74 · 17 Sep 2011 at 19:59

cool, job done

WickedWood · 20 Sep 2011 at 19:22

Thanks, moving ahead.

Thanks gents,
It's the first time I've ever had this kind of money to spend so I'm finding it hard to not compromise for the cheaper options.
I was wondering where the £20 difference in Dell UltraSharp monitors comes from:
Dell S2330MX
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MO-057-DE&groupid=17&catid=1425&subcat=
And
Dell UltraSharp U2312HM
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MO-055-DE&groupid=17&catid=1425&subcat=

All the rest of it looks great. Will be buying by the end of the week (maybe sourcing the processor from elsewhere for cheaper). Thanks again. Maybe post the build (providing the case isn't filled with my tears of abject failure

).

spenncerr · 20 Sep 2011 at 20:28

May I ask where you came across a random £2k for a build like this?

Really awesome build though, I'm jealous. I would like to see you put this build together through pictures if you're willing.

nightrider1470 · 20 Sep 2011 at 20:55

looks good

WickedWood · 22 Sep 2011 at 18:28

Thug 4 life!!

spenncerr said:
May I ask where you came across a random £2k for a build like this?

Like my profile says: I'm a Thug (4 life!) - easy money in thug life.
or
I worked a menial job over summer (day and night (literally)) that's paying for my accommodation/living expenses while I'm at uni then I got myself some freelance animation work that's just money in the bank...unless you count the massive student debt I could be paying off

Like I said, this is a workstation so I'm willing to blow my savings, wouldn't spend anything near if it was just gaming.

Will definitely be taking pictures (so you can all tell me where the heck I went wrong when I hit the 'on' button for the first time and all I get is the CD draw opening followed by a spine shuddering fizzing sound from somewhere inside).....I'll just add 'camera' the the budget...

Anyone care to weigh in on the monitors? Thanks again for the help.