Comp on a $500 budget

[Jessica]

I'll admit it, when it comes to computers, the only question I know how to ask "does it come in blue?" Still, I've started studying 3D animation and really want to work on it at home. Here's what I got so far.

Use: 2D/3D animation
budget: $500
I already have a monitor, keyboard, and a new mouse. The core computer I have now ain't worth squat. If budget permits new speakers would be nice.

Any advice you can give would be kindly accepted.

[USMDude]

Originally Posted by Jessica The core computer I have now ain't worth squat.

What kind of computer are you using right now? Specs and make/model. This can drastically reduce the amount of money you have to spend on a new computer. Especially if you want to use it for 3D animation.

[Stuey]

I agree. If you're starting from scratch, a system appropriate for 3D rendering *might* be had for $500, but it might be difficult.

Do you intend to purchase the components seperately or were you looking for suggestions for a pre-built machine? I assume you intend to build the system yourself, but since you didn't explicitly state it, I wanted to make sure.

There are some things that you can skimp on for the time being and upgrade in the future, but it's not too cost-effective.

Perhaps you can elaborate with a few examples of the type of work you wish to produce; I think this will also provide for more specific suggestions.

[Jessica]

I do alot of flash, photoshop, and illustrator. I tried to do some 3d modeling but my compter drags when I use lightwave. I also want to learn Maya and 3d studio max.

I want to buy components, I think it might be cheaper than a prebuilt.

My brother did my computer last time, but this time I want to take care of it myself. Here's what I know about the computer I have:

USB 4 port hus (Belkin)
250 watt ATX power supply(Comp USA)
AMD Duron processor 995 MHZ
512 MB of RAM
Sound Blaster Audio PCI driver.

I hope this info helps

[glc]

Not much there that can be reused - and $500 isn't going to get you a 3D modeling machine. It's going to be a lot closer to $1000.

[FireByyrd]

You probably can reuse that 250watt power supply.
Is that 512MB ram PC2700 or PC3200? If its 2700, you might bottleneck the new ram (3200), but possibly can reuse.
S

Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813138264 (69)
Graphics card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150099 (142)
Processor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103539 (324 combined with above motherboard)
RAM 3200(1GB 512x2): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145526 (77)
CD/DVD burner 16x, 48x: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827152058 (39)


651... seems off the budget line... but I don't know you can take things off the list or add new things.. just something to think about.


*depends what 3d animation shes doing...

[Stuey]

She's not going to want to skimp on a decent motherboard. If anything, she can probably get away with a cheaper video card.

And 250W won't cut it.

I recommend the Antec Sonata II as it is reasonably priced and a decent case. The cost might be a bit high (99+19 shipping). If so, maybe the Antec 3700-BQE might be a better choice for $88 at amazon w/ free shipping (but it has a less powerful PSU).

[FireByyrd]

Can't she keep her old case, but get a new psu? theres one running for 30 dollars off of newegg. TT 430 watt.

I have it, runs my AMD 4000+, 250GB sata, 7800GT just fine.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817153023

[Spearball]

Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813127204 84$

CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116197 219$ Hey lets changes thing a bit and go with intel..Unless your an AMD fan.

Graphics card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130263 169$

Ram:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145526
77$
Dvd burner:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827152058
38$

Power supply:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817103931
84$ GREAT DEAL!!!

Total = 671$

As for case and hard drive you could probably go with the ones your using now unless you want new ones. The price is a little over the budget but maybe you can change some things. Also i chose that video card in case you might wanna do anything else later on.Maybe your a gamer when your not working At least your set. Its hard to build a pc for 500$.(My opinion)

[freakitchen]

To drop the price from Spearball's suggestions...

Get a 6600GT, or even a 6600 for mid to light gaming performance.

No need for an SLI certified PSU. Go for one of these...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817189003

Making an Intel / AMD decision would allow more focused part suggestions.

Freakitchen

[glc]

Don't point her to gaming video cards. Waste of money. A $75 ATI card of some sort is plenty - like a 256 meg X550.

[Spearball]

Ok so i guess you guys are right drop that video card, and power supply to cheaper ones that would be good for her.

As for the cpu sry if im making her choises harder just heard that intel is better at the stuff shes wants to do.

[Stuey]

Her main focus is 3D production. I think that the video card should be a budget card ~$100 with a greater emphasis placed on HD space, cpu and a decent mobo.

I think we all forgot about a hard drive. 160GB will probably be the sweet spot.

[glc]

If anything - if you are gonna spend $160 on a video card, get a FireGL. That's optimized for workstations, which is what a 3D production box is. FSP has some pretty cheap PSU's that will do a fine job.

[Jessica]

Thanks for the help guys. I really don't want to the case. It was a hand me down from my brothers girlfriend and she painted a hello kitty on it.

As for the budget, your right. I was going to get a new desk, but I think I'll invest it in the computer as well. That should add another $250 to the budget.
Does that help?

[KatoPC]

Check out tigerdirect maybe you can find a system to your liking there. From time to time I get email from them on pretty good deals

[avx]

TigerDirect is based down here in Florida. A few senior members said they were not all that great, and I stopped by there store to find out if this was true or not. It very much is true, thier floor staff is unexperienced at best and they are more concerned with selling stuff than with making sure you get what you need. This guy just wanted to set up a basic home network and wanted to use network cable and a standard router...and this kid just kept PUSHING all this wireless crap on him..I was getting fired up.

[glc]

The cheapest cases made that come with decent power supplies are AOpen. If you get a motherboard with a 24 pin main connector and don't go too overboard with a video card, here you go:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811130172

To keep to budget, I think a $75 Radeon X550 256mb card will be able to handle 3D modeling. It can always be upgraded later. We need to spend the money on a decent motherboard, processor, and at least a gig of ram. Maybe an A8N5X, a Venice 3200+, and a Corsair value ram kit? (Jeez - I hate to recommend AMD......)