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Upgrade time...

Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2012 6:23 am
by Jon1984
Hi all :wink:

So... I've been thinking about a little modification on my machine. When I've bought it I made a small mistake, buying a locked CPU. Now, I want more speed to convert mkv and I'm stuck at the i5 2400 + 400Mhz... Well, I will be building a small office machine for my girlfriend's sister so I'm thinking about ditching this one and buy something like a 2500K or 3570K. I have 4x2Gb of RAM from my own that will also move to this new PC, as I might pull the trigger to 16Gb of RAM. I also have a Corsair Force F60 (SATA2) that can be used on this new machine, as the Intel Stock Cooler.

Now, for now the new machine will be used only for internet browsing, word, excel, etc... Light stuff. Later on, she will be using AUTOCAD, as she is graduating in Architecture. Later, at that time, if necessary I'll add a dedicated GPU. I'm not familiar with CAD system requirements, is a professional GPU needed to work with it? If so, how much for a card like that?

For now the integrated HD2000 its enough. I will be buying something like a B75 motherboard, they're cheap. Add in a Case, PSU, DVD Burner and Wifi Card and we are all set.

Now, as for my own machine, I intend to overclock. Between 2500K or 3570K, what do you suggest? My MSI P67GD65 supports Ivy Bridge with a BIOS update.

Money is tight gentleman :P

Thanks for any suggestions :wink:

*Edit

Also advise me in a small CASE+PSU for this. The MB will be MicroATX, I would like to buy a small case with PSU included, but unbranded PSU's makes me the chills :-?

Re: Upgrade time...

Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2012 8:10 am
by DancinJack
Jon1984 wrote:
Hi all :wink:

Now, for now the new machine will be used only for internet browsing, word, excel, etc... Light stuff. Later on, she will be using AUTOCAD, as she is graduating in Architecture. Later, at that time, if necessary I'll add a dedicated GPU. I'm not familiar with CAD system requirements, is a professional GPU needed to work with it? If so, how much for a card like that?

Now, as for my own machine, I intend to overclock. Between 2500K or 3570K, what do you suggest? My MSI P67GD65 supports Ivy Bridge with a BIOS update.

*Edit

Also advise me in a small CASE+PSU for this. The MB will be MicroATX, I would like to buy a small case with PSU included, but unbranded PSU's makes me the chills :-?


What CAD program will she be using? There is absolutely no need for a professional GPU at this point. You'll have to take a look at whatever CAD program she will be running, but most support either CUDA or OpenCL to be accelerated by the GPU. For the time being though, an i5 2400 will be plenty.

I don't know how much money you have, but if I were you i'd spring for a 2600K. Microcenter can save you a good chunk of change on CPUs most the time so if you live or have a friend that lives near one, I'd give that a shot first.

edit: I see you're in Portugal so no Microcenter for you. I'd still suggest a 2600K. Extra threads + unlocked is going to be better than the 2500K.

As for the case/PSU I would try something like this.

case
PSU

Re: Upgrade time...

Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2012 8:19 am
by Jon1984
DancinJack wrote:
What CAD program will she be using?


AUTOCAD.

DancinJack wrote:


Excellent suggestions :)

*Edit

Seasonic doesn't have this cheaper models in my store.

http://www.bequiet.com/en/powersupply/296

Pretty inexpensive in my usual store, anyone experienced this brand?

Thanks

Re: Upgrade time...

Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2012 8:34 am
by DancinJack
I'm sure your s/o can do more research on the subject and ask some more knowledgeable people about it than me, but from what I have read the professional cards help a lot with AUTOCAD. People seem to be saying you can get by with an IGP for 2D and some basic 3D work, but if you plan on doing some more intensive 3D stuff it's a good idea to step up to a FirePro or Quadro. If you find that the 2400+IGP isn't enough, which it should be, you could buy a cheap discrete GPU to hold her over until she decides on something a little higher up. Something like a HD6450, HD7750, or even a lower-end GTX 4 or 5 series should help.

Re: Upgrade time...

Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2012 8:38 am
by DPete27
Check out some of these motherboards

If she's an architect, I assume she'll be doing a fair amount of 3D rendering. I would shoot for something like an AMD 7770 which should handle just about anything she can throw at it. I agree with DancinJack, let her try out her 3D modeling on the IGP before buying a discrete GPU though. I don't believe all the hype about professional graphics cards, especially for consumers. If your business wants to buy you a $2000 quadro or firepro, thats fine, but I wouldn't waste my own money on one.

Re: Upgrade time...

Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2012 8:39 am
by Jon1984
DancinJack wrote:
I'm sure your s/o can do more research on the subject and ask some more knowledgeable people about it than me, but from what I have read the professional cards help a lot with AUTOCAD. People seem to be saying you can get by with an IGP for 2D and some basic 3D work, but if you plan on doing some more intensive 3D stuff it's a good idea to step up to a FirePro or Quadro. If you find that the 2400+IGP isn't enough, which it should be, you could buy a cheap discrete GPU to hold her over until she decides on something a little higher up. Something like a HD6450, HD7750, or even a lower-end GTX 4 or 5 series should help.


I believe that for the time she'll be working for the university classes, it won't be that intensive 3D stuff. But, as she's only start to work with AUTOCAD from 2 years from now, later we can add on a card if need be :)

Re: Upgrade time...

Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2012 8:42 am
by Jon1984
DPete27 wrote:
Check out some of these motherboards

If she's an architect, I assume she'll be doing a fair amount of 3D rendering. I would shoot for something like an AMD 7770 which should handle just about anything she can throw at it. I agree with DancinJack, let her try out her 3D modeling on the IGP before buying a discrete GPU though. I don't believe all the hype about professional graphics cards, especially for consumers. If your business wants to buy you a $2000 quadro or firepro, thats fine, but I wouldn't waste my own money on one.


I have 4 sticks of RAM, the motherboard must have 4 slots...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130655

A good choice?

Yes, we should try out AUTOCAD first with the IGP, add on a discrete GPU if necessary :wink:

Re: Upgrade time...

Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2012 8:58 am
by DPete27
Jon1984 wrote:
I have 4 sticks of RAM, the motherboard must have 4 slots...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813130655

A good choice?

Sure, that one looks very good as long as it has all the peripherals that she needs. I wasn't too worried about the RAM slots since 2x4GB of ram only costs $40. Sorry for the ill-suited suggestions.

Re: Upgrade time...

Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2012 9:05 am
by Jon1984
DPete27 wrote:
Jon1984 wrote:
I have 4 sticks of RAM, the motherboard must have 4 slots...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813130655

A good choice?

Sure, that one looks very good as long as it has all the peripherals that she needs. I wasn't too worried about the RAM slots since 2x4GB of ram only costs $40. Sorry for the ill-suited suggestions.


Don't apoligize, all suggestions are welcome of course :) It's just I want to use all the spare parts I possess, less money spent :)

Re: Upgrade time...

Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2012 9:11 am
by DPete27
Keep in mind, IF she ends up getting a 7770 at some point, a 300W PSU might be cutting it close. (Those recommendations are based on 50% PSU load at 90% system load though.)

Re: Upgrade time...

Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2012 9:30 am
by Jon1984
DPete27 wrote:
Keep in mind, IF she ends up getting a 7770 at some point, a 300W PSU might be cutting it close. (Those recommendations are based on 50% PSU load at 90% system load though.)


Just for curiosity, a 7770 would be more suited for AUTOCAD than something like this?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814195112

Re: Upgrade time...

Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2012 12:36 pm
by Techgoudy
Yes the 7770 would be better than that Firepro Card, we use the entire AUTOCAD Suite at my job and we use NVidia workstation cards, but they are the lower end NVS 295 cards and they run cad fine. We are an Academic Institution so I don't really know how much power they are using, but they don't complain about it so I am guessing it must run pretty smooth. There is a difference between Workstation GFX cards and Desktop GFX Cards, but the difference is basically moot unless your a company or organization that really needs the extra computational power given with the Workstation Cards.

Re: Upgrade time...

Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2012 12:45 pm
by DPete27
Review 1
Review 2
The architect I know uses Autodesk Revit mostly. I can't find any benchmarks specifically targeting that program though.

Re: Upgrade time...

Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2012 6:46 pm
by JustAnEngineer
Inexpensive micro-ATX B75 motherboards with 4 DIMM slots: Asus P8B75-M/CSM, Gigabyte GA-B75M-D3H, ASRock B75 Pro3-M or MSI B75MA-P45.

For micro-ATX cases, do take a look at the Antec NSK3480.

Re: Upgrade time...

Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 5:10 am
by Jon1984
JustAnEngineer wrote:
Inexpensive micro-ATX B75 motherboards with 4 DIMM slots: Asus P8B75-M/CSM, Gigabyte GA-B75M-D3H, ASRock B75 PRO3-M or MSI B75MA-P45.

For micro-ATX cases, do take a look at the Antec NSK3480.


Thanks :wink:

Your opinion about the CPU JAE? Sandy or Ivy Bridge? :wink:

Re: Upgrade time...

Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 5:38 am
by JustAnEngineer
Because you specifically mentioned video encoding performance as the reason that you wanted to upgrade, your usage may fall into that small fraction of applications where hyper-threading would provide tangible benefit. Between Sandy Bridge and Ivy Bridge, performance is very similar but Ivy Bridge uses less power and generates less heat.

Core i7-2600K, i7-2700K or i7-3770K would all be superb performers. If you'd rather keep the 75+ Euros in your pocket and give up hyper-threading, Core i5-2500K or i5-3570K would provide very close to the same performance as the previous three processors in 90+% of applications. You might consider Core i5-2550K, which has its integrated GPU disabled, but since it is priced higher than the less-crippled version it doesn't present an appealing value.

Take a look at the price vs. performance plots on this page, where you'll see the Core i5-3570K doing well:
http://techreport.com/review/23662/amd- ... eviewed/16

Re: Upgrade time...

Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 6:25 am
by Jon1984
JustAnEngineer wrote:
Because you specifically mentioned video encoding performance as the reason that you wanted to upgrade, your usage may fall into that small fraction of applications where hyper-threading would provide tangible benefit. Between Sandy Bridge and Ivy Bridge, performance is very similar but Ivy Bridge uses less power and generates less heat.

Core i7-2600K, i7-2700K or i7-3770K would all be superb performers. If you'd rather keep the 75+ Euros in your pocket and give up hyper-threading, Core i5-2500K or i5-3570K would provide very close to the same performance as the previous three processors in 90+% of applications. You might consider Core i5-2550K, which has its integrated GPU disabled, but since it is priced higher than the less-crippled version it doesn't present an appealing value.

Take a look at the price vs. performance plots on this page, where you'll see the Core i5-3570K doing well:
http://techreport.com/review/23662/amd- ... eviewed/16


Yes, the i7's would be the best choice for the mater, although not I'm not sure if I can throw up all that cash... It's something to consider of course :wink:

Well, the 2550K is out of the equation thanks to it's higher price tag.

So, I guess although Sandy Bridge can overclock more easily than Ivy Bridge, the reduced power consumption is a strong point that can't be ignored.

Thank you :wink: