Computer specs for son's Animation Computer

[lots]

I'd get the premium version of that motherboard. I'd also get a Antec True Power II either the 480 or 550 Watt (the more you get the more room down the road for addional parts). The eVGA 7800GT should be quite nice, and I too think its the best bang per buck out there. It should sufice his needs for quite some time I would expect. Its only when you get into the really complex stuff (heavy scenes, big models, etc.) that a Quadro will really make a difference. And also, not all software will take advantage of the Quadro. Though, Max and Maya both do, Lightwave (for example) does not. So a 7800GT now is fine :) I use a 6800GT my self..

Also I couldnt tell by your post, but are you getting 2 GB of ram or 1? 2 would be ideal.

While someone is learning 3D, they honestly do not need all that much power behind thier system. Hopefully though, this system will have enough room for your son to grow into. and should last a while. There will be plenty of upgrade options down the road as well (CPUs that have yet to come out, more RAM, new video card, etc.)

[anibal187]

You are a really cool Dad :thumbsup:. Did you know that?

[ugh138]

Fighting,

since your son is just beginning I would suggest going with an established system builder.

Ie, Dell, IBM, Boxx or the likes.

I remember one thing when I was starting out in animation was that I tried to build a custom system.

I had a number of problems because I spec'ed out a a custom system without knowing the benefits of the technologies I was working with.

I spent a lot of money and had a lot of problems

I was distracted from animation studies because every other day I was trying to debug certain aspects of my system.

What I'm trying to say is that your son will enjoy learning more with a stable system from a reputable vendor that can support him when things fail rather dealing with the heart aches of building, debugging, and maintaining a custom system.

with that said I think that your are on the right track with the spec's you gave us.

I would just try and replicate them through vendors that can meet your needs.

Advice on Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) based on a per-processor or graphics card level is the subject of many post in these boards. And that is from a busines-only aspect.
It's very hard to gauge what the amount spent will equal the amount learned in this situation.

Sometimes I wonder If I had been given an $10,000 SGI 5 years ago what would I be today... an Animator or a Unix Adminstrator.

[Fighting HM]

:D You are a really cool Dad :thumbsup:. Did you know that?

anibal187,

Thanks I appreciate the compliment...:D I still can shock my son sometimes so he tells me every once in while!

Fighting HM

Your success is all in your mind... whether you think you can or you can't... your right!!!

[Fighting HM]

Lots,

Thanks for the input... I've built a number of systems before for home and biz and they have run great, but I have never gone into the realm of liquid cooling... As for the premium board does that new AI Cool pipe cool the chip as well as it should? I've read that some people are having problems with it. Will there be enough cooling with out a fan or will I need additional cooling support? Do you know if the AI cool pipe can be removed and substituted for a liquid block... Is this even necessary?

As far as the RAM goes I will be starting out with 2 GB.

Thanks


Your success is all in your mind... whether you think you can or you can't... your right!!!

[laptop_all_the_way]

OK every one be gental with me this is a first! :)

I am building a computer for my son... heading off to school for animation. I want it to be expandable / upgradable and last for 2-4 years while he is in school.

Here are the specs so far (Is this over kill?)

CASE: Koolance pc3-720sl
MB: ASUS A8N-SLI DELUX nForce4 SLI
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 x2 4400 dual core
RAM: pc3200 1 gb x's 2
HD #1: Seagate Barracuda 120 GB SATA
HD#2: Seagate Barracuda 300 GB SATA
BURNER: Sony DRU-810A

So here are the questions: what type of Power supply do you all suggest?
And what type of graphics card? I like the eVGA e -GeForce 7800 GT seems like the best bang for the buck.

My son is just starting out in animation and is using Maya and 3d-Max and self teaching on a variety of others... Is this system something that will work for the next couple of years and is it expandable enough?

Last question... for now :) : With all of this talk about modding, quaddro vs 7 series, is the 7800 GT a good starter card for animation and will it sufice? (until he needs a quadro)

Thanks in advance for any and all of your input. I will acept and advice with humility :)
I agree with your video card. While, yes it is quite expensive, in a few years that should still be a pretty decent video card. Speaking as a young animator, I would kill if my dad bought me that video card. I think it is a wise choice as nVidias usually hold their value better than most other cards, and because it is probably the best video card on the market. As for the power supply, I have no input :p Just wanted to compliment your choice of video card. ;)

[SweetDreamz]

That case is fairly expensive and does he really need watercooling?

Second, that case doesn't come with waterblocks, so you'll have to purchase them seperately which adds to the cost

Third, it's cheaper to go DIY WC and you get the satisfaction of doing it yourself. Get the Swiftech Apex kit if you do go this route. It's simple the best "kit"(a collection of all their good stuff) and it would cool better than the Koolance setup.

Plus, when you do want to upgrade the cooling or whatever, you're basically stuck with that case. Getting a seperate case and then add a WC solution would give way more flexibility.

So, unless you've got a great deal on that case, I wouldn't suggest getting it.

And the rest looks fine with the recommendations of lots.

Oh ya, how 'bout soundcard? Using onboard? I'm sure a kid in college would like to listen to music....


As for PSU....if you're gonna go all out, you might as well get PC Power & Cooling 510.

[MadMax]

The ONLY issue I have seen with the heatpipe is people who mounted it upside down in a case. As is, it cools just fine. And with the A64 you don't need to waste money on something as silly as water cooling.

On my Premiums I am using mostly X2 4400's overclocked with stock HSF and my temps run around 42c.


Lots,

Thanks for the input... I've built a number of systems before for home and biz and they have run great, but I have never gone into the realm of liquid cooling... As for the premium board does that new AI Cool pipe cool the chip as well as it should? I've read that some people are having problems with it. Will there be enough cooling with out a fan or will I need additional cooling support? Do you know if the AI cool pipe can be removed and substituted for a liquid block... Is this even necessary?

[neuromancer1978]

Water-cooling.... a device that seems to be more of a status showoff than really usefull. But on the other hand I dream to have a water cooled system so I am kinda teetering on that issue. Of course having total immersion like SGI does in some of their systems is a total dream too.....

All I have to say is that you are one truly cool dad. When I got into the 3D thing back when I was 16 I had a contract with my parents to buy one of the first Power PC Macs. That was worth at least $1,000 on my end. For you to go and just buy a decent system for him, hel..... can I be your son??? LOL..

Seriously though... you got him a good system. All he has to to do is really apply himself to the art. I get by with a cheap ass Dell system that is certainly NOT meant for heavy 3D graphics, but I have managed to get some decent results.

From the specs you have shown, and based on the previous posts...... I would not dispute your purchase.

Except the water cooling..... cause air cooling done in the right way is just as effective.

[Fighting HM]

OK... if I understand you correctly you are saying not to use Liquid cooling at all; not just for pipline chip.

So when would you consider H2O cooling for a system if at all?

[neuromancer1978]

OK... if I understand you correctly you are saying not to use Liquid cooling at all; not just for pipline chip.

So when would you consider H2O cooling for a system if at all?


No all I am saying is that sometimes when buying on a budget... water cooling is a waste of money. I grew up up in a family of electrical engineers... so when I built my best custom system I used the knowledge to my advantage to make a kick ass air-cooled system.... of course it wasn't whisper quiet! LOL!

I am just wary of putting liquid mere milllimeters away from sensitive electrical components... thats all.

[Fighting HM]

Water-cooling.... a device that seems to be more of a status showoff than really usefull.

From the specs you have shown, and based on the previous posts...... I would not dispute your purchase.

Except the water cooling..... cause air cooling done in the right way is just as effective.


One of the big draws to H2O cooling was the noise level. The son :) will be living in a dorm with other students and we don't want to disturb them. On a system like this can you get it down to wisper mode?

OK now you all got me thinking... whats the best case and cooling fan for this system (air wise)

BTW thanks for the compliment!:)

[lots]

I can see the want for water cooling, but really, you can get fairly quiet systems on air cooling as well. Maybe not nearly as quiet, but somewhat quiet. Look towards Zalman and similar HSF makers. I have a pair of Zalman's on my K8WE, they're whisper quiet, if it weren't for the other fans in the system I probably wouldn't notice it at all. So as long as you keep your fan usage to a minimal, and go for large slow moving fans the overall system noise should be fairly minimal.

The main reason I recommended the premium Asus, was because of the heat pipe system. The Delux has known problems with its chipset fan (they die within weeks of purchase). I am unsure if Asus has fixed the problem, but for a few bucks more you completly eliminate the problem by getting the heatpipe. As long as the board is mounted right side up (PCI slots on the bottom of the case), like MadMax said, I dont think it will have any cooling issues when it comes to the chipset. Just remember you need to have some airflow in the case to make the heatpipe effective. Water cooling actually might be worse in the case of this board, unless you swapped out the heatpipes for a water block...

[SweetDreamz]

If you're considering watercooling just for the reason that it would disturb others, then don't. Other people have comps too so noise shouldn't be a problem. The reason you'll go for WC is well, noise sometimes, get some better overclock, or just because you can.

The only reason I got it was that my AthlonXP is gets quite hot compared to the 64s. And I just can't go to sleep with some Delta fans spinning inside to get it to cool down. Plus, it warms my room pretty quick with WC in winter.

As for chipset WC, it's just not worth it. Just grab one of those Zalman heatsinks and be done if the board has a chipset fan. Or in the case of the Asus Premium, you don't.

[MadMax]

my biggest issue with water cooling is from related experience in another hobby.

The pumps used are from the Aquarium hobby. So is the tubing. Barbed fittings that are used on the pumps, and the type of tubing used are not a great combo around electronic components.

Having over 100 aquariums at home and seeing how the tubing does degrade with age and having seen tubing slip off barbed fittings over time is not something I would be willing to risk around a computer.

[ExKArt]

For hsf cooling you can't go wrong with a Zalman copper 7700, or 9500 (I think that's their names)

[Hazdaz]

Having over 100 aquariums at home

:eek:

Do you live at Sea World?

[MadMax]

:eek:

Do you live at Sea World?

Nah, I just have an obsessive hobby. If I gave an exact number, you guys would think my cheese had slipped off the cracker. The largest volume of tanks all contain a fish called Discus, with dozens of color morphs. 20+ color morphs of Angelfish, and tons and tons of African Cichlids.

I raise them for resale.

[lots]

To fund all of your technology needs huh :P

;)

[lots]

Double post....

[MadMax]

To fund all of your technology needs huh :P

;)

among other things. I enjoy watching them.

[Fighting HM]

OK with so many AIR Cooled cases to choose from:scream::banghead: , Does any one have any input for a REALLY quiet case with GREAT Cooling abilities?

Also how about some votes on ZALMAN CNPS 9500 and ZALMAN 7700 AlCu ; better than the 7700 Cu listed below equal, no difference... whats your input?:shrug:

Here are my specs so far:

CASE: ?
PSU: ANTEC TRUE Power 2.0 TP2 550eps 12v
MB: ASUS A8N-SLI PREMIUM nForce4 SLI
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 x2 4400 dual core
COOLER: ZALMAN CNPS7700-CU
RAM: pc3200 1GB x's 2
HD #1: Seagate Barracuda 120 GB SATA
HD#2: Seagate Barracuda 300 GB SATA
BURNER: Sony DRU-810A

Thanks to every one for some great input in this thread!!!:)

[MadMax]

I'd up that MB to the A8N-SLI Premium. the extra couple of bucks is worth it for the heatpipe setup.

Case, Lian Li V2000 KILLER case. Expensive, but it is awesome.




Here are my specs so far:

CASE: ?
PSU: ANTEC TRUE Power 2.0 TP2 550eps 12v
MB: ASUS A8N-SLI DELUX nForce4 SLI
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 x2 4400 dual core
COOLER: ZALMAN CNPS7700-CU
RAM: pc3200 1GB x's 2
HD #1: Seagate Barracuda 120 GB SATA
HD#2: Seagate Barracuda 300 GB SATA
BURNER: Sony DRU-810A

Thanks to every one for some great input in this thread!!!:)

[Fighting HM]

OK I'll check it out.... But it has to be cheaper than a Koolance...my original plan!!:)

Whats your view on the coolers on the Zalman Coolers: 7700 Cu, 7700 AlCu, and 9500?

[MadMax]

OK I'll check it out.... But it has to be cheaper than a Koolance...my original plan!!:)

Whats your view on the coolers on the Zalman Coolers: 7700 Cu, 7700 AlCu, and 9500?


It's around 250.00

Zalman, heard good things, haven't used one myself.

[Pollo]

Hey!

I'm a college student myself (not this semester though) and I just built my own PC with these specs,

AMD 3800+ x2
MSI 7800 gtx (overclocked a lil' with CoolBits)
Asus SLI Premium board (nforce 4 of course)
1gb ram (PNY)
Athena 550w PSU (works fine, though I was a little nervous at first, as I hadn't heard of the brand)
Antec case (just $50 from newegg)
dual 120mm fans

It runs nice and quiet (for a computer), nothing loud or annoying, and you can't even tell it's on unless you're within 5-6 feet of it.

I'd stay away from water cooling, because with your son living with others in a dorm. What if a not-so-careful student bumps into his PC and somehow knocks loose a water line = no more nice PC!

Oh, and I *would not* buy from a company. I've had a Dell laptop, HP laptop, Compaq, etc. and my "home built" PCs have been much better, especially since they don't have all of that useless and annoying "bloat-ware." :)

Maya runs smooth as butter as well :D

[SweetDreamz]

What if a not-so-careful student bumps into his PC and somehow knocks loose a water line = no more nice PC!
That is impossible if everything is done right.

[Pollo]

That is impossible if everything is done right.

"If everything is done right"

Chances are, he'll be adding/moving stuff around (upgrading RAM, changing HDs, etc.). There's always a chance.

[SweetDreamz]

Adding/moving stuff will not change/affect hose clamps or the screw in ones that Koolance uses.

[DevilHacker]

"If everything is done right"

Chances are, he'll be adding/moving stuff around (upgrading RAM, changing HDs, etc.). There's always a chance.
Hey. Don’t worry about WC problems… The only way that he could mess up the system “and make tubing come loose” would be if trying to install ram in a slot that it already WC’ed… besides that, he is good. I have built an number of systems that are water cooled, and am currently working on a system that will be Phase-Changed… and trust me, once everything is hooked up, he is set.

To thread starter: If you need any help; feel free to e-mail me at DLoney@houston.rr.com (DLoney@houston.rr.com)

Also, If you have the time, I would start up an work-log of the PC over at Pimprig (http://www.pimprig.com/)...
The community is great and would be more than willing to step in and give advice.
:thumbsup:

[Twizzle the Shizzle]

Fighting, per your question regarding Zalman's 7000 series heatsink, you shouldn't hesitate to get one. I have the 7700CU and it works like it's supposed to; keep the processor cool, and that's not so easy to do since I'm running a power-hungry Prescott chip. The Zalman fan is surprisingly quiet as well, even on high it's a-little-above-whisper quiet. My dog makes more noise when he farts. The 7700Cu is so big, it has a compatibility list (http://www.zalman.co.kr/product/cooler/7700-754-939-940MBlist_eng.htm), but luckily the A8N mobo is on there. So happy cooling.

[nicktg]

Another good case is the Antec P150 with a nicely resolved interior. You might also want to consider Antec`s neo power HE power supplies, or Seasonic`s SS series. As for heatsinks, zalman`s cooler should get the job done well although I think there are even more effective ones. Take a look at another recent thread ('fan for overclocked opteron" I think). A tidy interior, big slow fans and soft mounting of things with moving parts (fans, hard disks) should help keep the noise down.

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