Yet Another PC Build, Advice-Seeking Thread!

[Matu]

I would also like to know if the dual channel setup for the RAM is ideal. Would it be better to go with triple channel?

[Irythros]

Dual channel vs Tri channel in bench tests usually only see a 1-5% increase in performance for Tri. It could speed up renders, but some tests also come out with Tri being slower, so it would be a toss for your application.


As for the build itself, I would switch out to GSkill memory (never have had dead sticks).

The PSU I would swap for either Corsair or SeaSonic. Your current one only has 2 12v@18a. That will be very limiting for any recent powerful GPU. It's also the most vital component because if its dies it could take your entire computer with it. Cheaping out on a PSU is always bad. I would suggest in its stead the 'Seasonic SS-850HT 850W' for $124, the 'SeaSonic X Series X650 Gold' for $140, 'CORSAIR Professional Series HX650' for $120, 'CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W' for $120, or lastly the 'CORSAIR Gaming Series GS800 800W' for $130.
The difference is that the SeaSonics have better efficiency (less heat/waste) in exchange for a slightly higher price and lower wattage. The corsairs have lower efficiency ratings and may not even make it past the basic rating. Corsair also has a decent RMA. Recently a family member had one that was slightly defective and was sent back. Corsair didn't have one in stock for his model, so they just upgraded him to a more expensive model.

The hard drive manufacturer is good, but the HD itself is bad. Western digital has 3 different lines/colors. Green, Blue and Black. Green is a storage drive and is not good for anything else. Blue and Black are for more intensive uses, with Black taking the lead for best performance. If you need space and speed, I would suggest getting the 640GB Western Digital Black. It has the least amount of platters for the space used, so it will have a slightly better read/write than the other blacks. For storage you can grab a green, but do not put anything write/read intensive on it such as Windows.
Getting an SSD would increase read/write alot but the cost for anything decently sized is alot. They also have limitations and lower life-span than traditional HDs. Unless you've determined that big file sizes are slowing down your production, I would avoid them.

The GPU is decent and not decent at the same time. ATI has better price/performance but most programs aren't using ATI for GPGPU purposes. The newer GPU renderers are using Nvidias CUDA platform for it, so if you get an ATI card you wont reap the benefits. So, if the programs you use have plans for using the GPU for quicker renders/views/anything go with Nvidia, otherwise ATI is good for the amount of memory on it.

Make sure your Windows is 64bit to take advantage of all the memory. 32 bit is limited to anywhere between 2.8 and 4 gigs of memory max (GPU + RAM combined). 64 bit can have hundreds of terabytes of memory.

The case is something up to you. I would suggest a full-tower case. The Antec 1200 is pretty big. The LIAN-LI PC80 is also huge but costs alot. The 'COOLER MASTER HAF 932' and the 'Thermaltake ArmorPlus(Armor+) VH6000BWS' are also huge. Lots of space is needed for the video card and possibly CPU cooler if you decide to overclock.

[Matu]

Thank you very very much :D I was about to order it!

ETA: There's a chance that I might be able to get a Geforce GTX 570. Would that be a better choice?

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