Hi, I need some help with getting a new PC!

[alliarnette]

Hi HWZ!

My 7-ish year old desktop PC finally died on me last week and I've been trying to find a good PC to replace my old one.

I guess(?) I have about a $2.5k budget for my new PC, but I have specific uses for it that might need better hardware in some areas or something, and I need your help with your recommendations.

I'm a digital artist and I generally have multiple windows open on three different screens - Photoshop on one screen, Illustrator on the second, and my internet browser on the third. When I don't have any projects to work on I guess I game - I play League of Legends and Counter Strike: Global Offensive.

I hear Google Chrome takes up a lot of memory nowadays so do I have to get more RAM?

Anyway, I guess I wouldn't need a CD Drive, other than that I guess I would need the rest of the components.

I'd love a beautiful-looking computer casing as well so if it's possible, could you recommend one?

Edit with additional info: I probably don't need screens too, but if 27" screens are cheap enough I'd be willing to top up whatever is necessary! The price of the screens shouldn't factor into the budget.

Thanks!

 

[Jian19]

Do u need monitor ?

 

[alliarnette]

Do u need monitor ?

Sorry! I just edited it in. I probably don't need monitors, but if 27" screens are cheap enough I can purchase them separately. They do not need to factor into the budget.

 

[colonel701]

get a 16gb ram.

 

[colonel701]

photoshop doesn't require much memory

 

[daniel798]

Casing is rather subjective but here's what i think looks awesome that you could consider


Fractal Design Define R4
NZXT H440
CM Storm Scout II
Corsair Obsidian 450D
Corsair Graphite 760T

Btw whats the resolution of your current 3 screens?

 

[Alternative X]

CPU+ Mobo: MSI B85-G41 PC MATE+ i5 4690 (399)
RAM: 2X CRUCIAL PC 12800/1600MHZ DDR3 VALUE RAM (8GB) (202)
GPU: POWER COLOR R9 280X 3GB TURBODUO (418)
SSD: SAMSUNG EVO 250GB SSD (179)
HDD: TOSHIBA 1TB 7200RPM (69)
PSU: SEASONIC S12G-Non MODULAR 650W (129)
Case: CORSAIR 300R MID-TOWER CASE (119)
OS: WINDOWS 7 HOME PREM (120)
Monitor: 3X QNIX QX2710 (897) (Qoo10)

Total cost: $2532

Unless otherwise stated, buy at PC Themes, #04-15, and ask for discounts. DIY yourself. If you can't into DIY, go to PC Care & Solution at #02-32 and ask Nigel to help you assemble for a fee.

1) Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator generally benefit little from hyperthreading and thus an i5 processor is chosen for this rig.

2) A R9 280X is included in this rig as both Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator can benefit from OpenCL acceleration from the GPU for faster rendering.

3) As a digital artist, you can benefit from using a higher resolution screen for better image quality. Hence, 3X 27'' Qnix monitors are included in this build.

4) 16GB RAM should be enough for your needs.

5) Opinions on casing are highly subjective, you may wish to take a walk around SLS to check out the casings displayed in the shops.

 

[alliarnette]

Casing is rather subjective but here's what i think looks awesome that you could consider


Fractal Design Define R4
NZXT H440
CM Storm Scout II
Corsair Obsidian 450D
Corsair Graphite 760T

Btw whats the resolution of your current 3 screens?

I love how the 760T looks!

And I can't really remember, they look like 1440 x 900, I should probably change them I guess. ._.

CPU+ Mobo: MSI B85-G41 PC MATE+ i5 4690 (399)
RAM: 2X CRUCIAL PC 12800/1600MHZ DDR3 VALUE RAM (8GB) (202)
GPU: POWER COLOR R9 280X 3GB TURBODUO (418)
SSD: SAMSUNG EVO 250GB SSD (179)
HDD: TOSHIBA 1TB 7200RPM (69)
PSU: SEASONIC S12G-Non MODULAR 650W (129)
Case: CORSAIR 300R MID-TOWER CASE (119)
OS: WINDOWS 7 HOME PREM (120)
Monitor: 3X QNIX QX2710 (897) (Qoo10)

Total cost: $2532

Unless otherwise stated, buy at PC Themes, #04-15, and ask for discounts. DIY yourself. If you can't into DIY, go to PC Care & Solution at #02-32 and ask Nigel to help you assemble for a fee.

1) Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator generally benefit little from hyperthreading and thus an i5 processor is chosen for this rig.

2) A R9 280X is included in this rig as both Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator can benefit from OpenCL acceleration from the GPU for faster rendering.

3) As a digital artist, you can benefit from using a higher resolution screen for better image quality. Hence, 3X 27'' Qnix monitors are included in this build.

4) 16GB RAM should be enough for your needs.

5) Opinions on casing are highly subjective, you may wish to take a walk around SLS to check out the casings displayed in the shops.

Hi, thanks for your detailed recommendation!

I should probably point out that the budget for the monitors are separate from the PC. If there's something better I can get for the $2500 feel free to add that into the recommendation.

I wish to ask though, does a computer like this run rather hot?

Thanks again!

 

[Alternative X]

Hi, thanks for your detailed recommendation!

I should probably point out that the budget for the monitors are separate from the PC. If there's something better I can get for the $2500 feel free to add that into the recommendation.

I wish to ask though, does a computer like this run rather hot?

Thanks again!

No, you will only get heat problems if you get a R9 290X. If you want to get better parts, can consider a Powercolor R9 290X for $688 with a Superflower Leadex 750W for $165 to power your rig and get a better GPU for faster rendering. Can also use the rest of the unused $$$ to get a casing that suits your tastes. Do remember to get extra case fans if using a R9 290X to counter the 'heatiness' of the card.

 

[BryanWu]

you might need a miniDP to DVI converter since the QX2710 Evolution ll Multi True10 SE takes only DVI or HDMI (according to Qoo10).
The PC 280X has 2 miniDP + DVI + HDMI.

Alternatively, you can consider GTX770 or GTX970 which has 2x DVI + DP + HDMI.
Wait a day or 2 to see if prices for GTX770 drops or if the GTX970 is reasonably priced when its launched tomorrow.

For PSU you should probably top up $10 for a SF Leadex 650W. Better performance according to reviews and full modular with flat cables for cable management.
Worth $10 imo.

 

[alliarnette]

No, you will only get heat problems if you get a R9 290X. If you want to get better parts, can consider a Powercolor R9 290X for $688 with a Superflower Leadex 750W for $165 to power your rig and get a better GPU for faster rendering. Can also use the rest of the unused $$$ to get a casing that suits your tastes. Do remember to get extra case fans if using a R9 290X to counter the 'heatiness' of the card.

I see! Cool, I guess I could go with the 290X.

you might need a miniDP to DVI converter since the QX2710 Evolution ll Multi True10 SE takes only DVI or HDMI (according to Qoo10).
The PC 280X has 2 miniDP + DVI + HDMI.

Alternatively, you can consider GTX770 or GTX970 which has 2x DVI + DP + HDMI.
Wait a day or 2 to see if prices for GTX770 drops or if the GTX970 is reasonably priced when its launched tomorrow.

For PSU you should probably top up $10 for a SF Leadex 650W. Better performance according to reviews and full modular with flat cables for cable management.
Worth $10 imo.

How is the GTX970 expected to perform in comparison to the 290X?

And I don't mind getting the miniDP to DVI converters (whatever those are) separately.

So for now, does this build (from your recommendations) sound good?

CPU+ Motherboard: MSI B85-G41 PC MATE+ i5 4690 - $399
RAM: 2x8GB Crucial PC 12800/1600MHZ DDR3 Value RAM - $202
GPU: Power Color R9 290X - $688
SSD: Samsung EVO 250GB SSD - $179
HDD: Toshiba 1TB - $69
PSU: Superflower Leadex 750W - $165
Case: Corsair Graphite 760T - $269
OS: Windows 7 Home Premium - $120

Total cost: $2091

Monitor: 3X QNIX QX2710 - $897 (Qoo10)

Total cost + monitor: $2988

Thanks again for all the recommendations!

 

[Alternative X]

I see! Cool, I guess I could go with the 290X.



How is the GTX970 expected to perform in comparison to the 290X?

And I don't mind getting the miniDP to DVI converters (whatever those are) separately.

So for now, does this build (from your recommendations) sound good?

CPU+ Motherboard: MSI B85-G41 PC MATE+ i5 4690 - $399
RAM: 2x8GB Crucial PC 12800/1600MHZ DDR3 Value RAM - $202
GPU: Power Color R9 290X - $688
SSD: Samsung EVO 250GB SSD - $179
HDD: Toshiba 1TB - $69
PSU: Superflower Leadex 750W - $165
Case: Corsair Graphite 760T - $269
OS: Windows 7 Home Premium - $120

Total cost: $2091

Monitor: 3X QNIX QX2710 - $897 (Qoo10)

Total cost + monitor: $2988

Thanks again for all the recommendations!

The GTX 970 has been rumoured to perform about the same level as the R9 290X but minus the heat and power drain of the R9 290X. However, knowing Nvidia's pricing strategy, the GTX 970 is likely to be sold at a hefty price premium and you may end up paying more $$$ for a card of the same performance. Besides, you can always OC the R9 290X to get a better performance whan compared to a stock GTX 970, just do not overdo it and end up frying your card.

If going for the R9 290X, do remember to buy extra case fans as the card is quite hot and will cause your rig to be quite 'heaty' during use. Other than that, your rig is fine.

 

[shadow84]

Dun really need till 750w bah... 650w will do....

 

[Alternative X]

Dun really need till 750w bah... 650w will do....

But he using R9 290X, that card sucks quite a lot of power, need 700+W PSU.

 

[shadow84]

But he using R9 290X, that card sucks quite a lot of power, need 700+W PSU.

Lol, its nt classified or lightning with massive oc leh... wun use so much power...

To TS, do watch the 760T video frm linustechtips. Iirc, he mentioned that the case have some flex to it...

 

[shadow84]

Ts can take reference from here...

PowerColor R9 290X PCS+ 4 GB Review | techPowerUp

In general, 600-650w is good enough for high end single gpu. If going for dual gpu, den 750-850w is good enough. 850w is ideal as 750w is barely making it. If your 2 cards suck a lot of power like Classified or lightning with massive OC, den 1000w is recommended for dual gpu.

 

[kelccm]

If you are using Windows 64-bit as well as a Photoshop 64-bit, I would suggest that you max out the total RAM of your system. At least 16GB or even 32GB or more, especially if you often work with large file with multi layers.

 

[Felfirez]

Why need 750w? Even With high OC 650w is enough.

4690 ~ 84w
3 SSD/HDD + odd + ram + mobo + fans ~ 80w
290x Non OC ~ 280w OC-ed ~ 320w

Total ~ 500w
+ 20% headroom = 600w

600w on worst case scenario. Doubt you'll hit 600w with intense gaming or benchmarking.

 

[Ark Law]

TS want beautiful casing can go get this one...albeit pricing is $300-$400

 

[shadow84]

Close to zero ventilation sia...