Posted: 8/23/2007 9:46:47 AM EDT
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As some may have already heard, I am in the process of researching a new computer for DiamondGirl to do her jewelry design stuff on. I am seeking help in that regard. I will be honest right up front and say that I would prefer that she run this on a Mac, and the program she would be using can run there just fine (in fact, they are in the process of writing a Mac-native version), but there is aparently an overlay to the program that alleges to "not be supported" on a Mac. Whatever... Point is, in order to properly determine what will work best for her (and money is a concern at this point), I am open to all possibilities. I have heard more than one of you claim that building your own PC is both easy and a hell of a lot cheaper than buying from Dell, Gateway, etc. I'm no dummy, so if I can get some guidance on selecting components, I'll be able to do it. That's where you guys come in. The program she will be running is Rhino 3D with Matrix 3D overlayed on it. It is obvious that any computer meant to run this kind of a program will benefit from faster processors, more RAM, and a better video card. Recommendations from the software manufacturers are a dual-core processor (not multiple processors), as much RAM as the OS can handle (2GB for a dual-core, 4GB for a quad-core), and a video card from nVidia (apparently those work better than the ATI's). They recommend (and I'm happy with the idea) XP over Vista. As for the display, the bigger and higher-res, the better. So, with that in mind, how do I go about selecting the needed components and ensuring they all work together? What technical details may I not be aware of? Anything I may have missed altogether? I plan on purchasing components from NewEgg if I follow this route. Well, that's it. Have at it. I'll be listening. Thanks. 
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+1.. the last thing I want to do after staring a PC in the face for 9 hours is come home and dick around building one.. I'm not 19 any more 
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It's not really cost effective to build your own anymore. Just order an IBM/Lenovo and be done with it! I quit building my own a few years ago when the prices really came down. I'm typing this on a Lenovo T60p, wide screen, vista, 3GB RAM, T6700 @ 2.33 Duo Core 2. |
Same as you do with an AR; by taking yours apart and putting it back together over and over. Eventually you start putting new parts in instead of the old ones. Before long you're replaced every part and, viola, you've built a computer. Really no way to get the hang of it except to do it. |
Maximum PC has pretty good pictorial step-by-step spreads that walk through PC building every few months. |
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Will that software not run on a Dual-Boot Mac booted directly to the MS OS ...? (I suspect that's what your second paragraph alludes to) Curious, why is that the only program available that can do the kind of design she's doing? Perhaps with a small amount of retraining she can find another NURBS based design program that will run on the Mac? |
Well, Rhino definitely will. I have read reports from folks online who are running it under BootCamp with zero issues. I also suspect that, if Rhino works, that Matrix will too, but they won't support it. Should that be a dealbreaker? I don't know yet. Believe me, I'd love to get her a Mac for this (and EVERYONE at the class she is currently taking for this software has been asking about how to get it on a Mac) simply because she knows next to nothing about computers, and I know the overall interface and related issues would be easier for her. It would also be easier for me to maintain for her. But assuming I have no choice but to go PC......... hence the thread.
It's not the ONLY one, but it IS considered the BEST one, both in terms of general industry acceptance as well as capabilities. |
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I'm firmly in the "build it yourself" camp BUT
If this is her "bread and butter" machine you have to ask if a homebuilt machine is going to be good for her from a tech support standpoint. Homebuilts don't come with call centers to help you out when things go wrong. And when it comes to a machine that is used for business, tech support becomes critical. Is DiamondGirl tech savvy enough so that she can do her own troubleshooting? Are you? If the answer to the above questions are "no" (and even if you are tech savvy, do YOU want to be her IT Help Desk???) ... I'd say buy a 'puter. Yes, you can get a better machine for about the same $ if you build but the availability of tech support, for a business PC, outweighs those advantages. |
Where to start. I would start looking at CPUs on newegg. There will be a "sweet spot" where a faster processor is going to cost alot more money. The point of diminishing marginal returns. When you have found the CPUs in this range, decide if you want to go with AMD or Intel. This choice will determine what mobos you will be looking at. Search among mobos with the right CPU socket type and read a lot of reviews. Once you settle on a mobo, that will determine what type of memory you need. Once you have the mobo and CPU, you will only need drives, memory, case and a power supply, heat sinks, and a graphics card. Do a lot of research and read a lot of reviews along the way. It may end up being slightly less expensive to build one yourself, but all the research is a PITA. |
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requirements for one of them link thats page has ALOT of good information * Intel Core 2 Duo, AMD Dual Core or better * 1-2 GB of DDR RAM for Windows XP 2-4 GB of DDR RAM for Windows Vista * 128-256 MB nVidia open GL video card or better * 256-512 MB nVidia Open GL video card or better if running Windows Vista * 40 GB hard drive or larger * 19-21 inch monitor (desktop) or larger * 15-17 inch monitor (laptop) or larger * 1280 x 1024 minimum screen resolution * Windows XP Home, Professional, or Media Center * Windows Vista (32-Bit Versions only - Home Basic NOT supported) * 64 bit version of Windows XP or Vista NOT supported * There are no current plans to port Matrix over to Apple Macintosh computers never built to the minimum specs. build it to the max that way it will be able to run the upgrade for the programs for several years on. |
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Depends on your budget. Based on the above specs, I could build one from anywhere as low as 500 dollars, to as high as 2k. I just recently built one close to that for around 600. Could have done it a little cheaper, but wanted room to upgrade a bit. Picked an intell processor as well. Board was round 50 bucks the cpu was 100 memory was 80 for 2 GB. If you go higher, I think you need to go vista. XP only will recognize about 3 gb no matter what is in it. Video card was the most expensive part, and I think it was 100, but that is where it will hurt you too. Can be way higher than that for graphics programs. dvd burner for 30. Case, hd and power supply made up the rest. |
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I'm a big fan of building my own, but it honestly sounds like you'd be better of getting a Dell. ETA: If you decide to build your own, go to NewEgg, and start browsing components. You'll need: CPU Motherboard RAM/Memory Hard Drive Optical Drive(s) Graphics Card Case Power supply (if the case does not have one). Monitor Keyboard/Mouse Optionally, you may want to add: Card readers Floppy Drives Upgraded heat sink Speakers Sound card (the mobo will most likely have decent sound already) Depending how you configure it, it could be anywhere from $500 to $3000. |
BELIEVE ME, it's a contender. 
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Indeed it does. I printed it out yesterday and spoke to them on the phone with some questions. They were helpful. Still, I just have to wonder, if only for the intellectual exercise of it: If that program is an add-on to Rhino, and Rhino runs on OS X, then wouldn't the add-on be able to?  Either way, it seems I'd be buying a pre-built machine. The points above concerning tech support have had me thinking since I read them. 
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I got a 24" iMac last spring and I LOVE IT!! I got the wired keyboard/mouse tossed out and a bluetooth keyboard/mouse tossed in at no charge. Now the only cord I have to deal with is the wall plug. My home built gaming rig is just collecting dust now because the pc puts out too much heat and noise (from the fans). BTW, anybody know a good water cooler for a pc? |
um i just bought xp pro for 139 from newegg  link the retail copy is 299. oem can ONLY be installed on this computer. retail can be removed from this computer and installed on another one. |
Not all that much - OEM full versions of Vista are around $140. All you have to do is purchase them with hardware - like a drive cable, a mouse, etc. |
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If tech support has you spooked, don't buy a dell. After 30 days it is parts replacements if something goes wrong. They send you the part and you replace it and send back the old one. If it is software, good luck getting through their extra crap they load. As for cost savings, buying prebuilt, I disagree. It is a question of the quality of the part you should worry about. Why do you think they can sell the same spec machine for 4 different prices? Each bump up in price is a bump up in quality. Where it is better for you is if you buy quality components, you can build it better for less then they sell the high end one for. |