need help building pc for my daughter

[DonVito'62]

hi everyone,
I would like to build a pc for my daughter who is 13 and a very talented artist,she would like a pc that can allow her to draw and she is interested in 3d animation and graphics.she is not into gaming on the pc. If you can steer me in the right direction with some suggestions that would be great. she also likes to surf online and her computer is old and very slow. the only thing i bought her was a case she really liked its a powmax and ive listed the specs.
Specifications



Form Factor ATX Mid-Tower


Compatible Motherboards ATX
Micro ATX


Side Panel Type Clear
Vented


Power Supply 450 Watt


Material Steel


External 5.25" Drive Bays 4


External 3.5" Drive Bays 2


Internal 3.5" Drive Bays 4


Expansion Slots 7


Front USB Ports 2


Front Audio Ports 2


80mm Fan Ports 4


80mm Fans Included 1


Depth 17"


Width 8"


Height 16.5"

[Kareeser]

A personal computer can be anything you like, you're not limited to the choices that manufacturers like Dell or HP put out.

If you want more USB ports, go for it. If you want more RAM, go for it!

First thing's first, to get started, what type of computer would you want to build? Intel or AMD?

[SputnikSweethrt]

I'll let others suggest you the hardware since I'm no expert
edit: I will say though that you should probably becareful with using the power supply that comes with the case since a good power supply is integral to a good system.

But the one thing you do need to get her is a Wacom tablet! I do some work on Maya myself and I can't function without it.
Or maybe even a tablet monitor if you're really serious about giving her the best.

[DonVito'62]

i got her the wacom tablet last year, so thats out of the way. i was thinking of going with intel but i don't really know which would be the better choice. I would like to keep it under 800 dollars if possible. I believe the video card will be the most expensive purchase . I'm not really up on products or how good they are or what works well with each other.If you think the power source is not going to be good enough than i can always get a better one.

[Staren]

Actually you don't really need the highest graphics card for video and graphics, as unintuitive as that is. The only gatcha to that one would be if she does a lot of 3D work, and then a stronger one might be called for. Where you're really going to want to put your money is in the CPU and RAM. I would probobly go with one of the lower end dual cores and 2GB of RAM so that the system can handle large graphics files easier.

[DonVito'62]

how about asus p5ld2 deluxe sli pentium d motherboard ?
intel pentium D 2.8ghz dual core processor ?
patriot signature series 1GB ddr2-667 memory ?
western digital 250 GB saya II ?

[Alaron]

Originally Posted by DonVito'62 how about asus p5ld2 deluxe sli pentium d motherboard ? intel pentium D 2.8ghz dual core processor ? patriot signature series 1GB ddr2-667 memory ? western digital 250 GB saya II ?

Those are good choices. Just a couple tweaks.

No need for SLI if you don't plan on using it. However, the P5LD2 is an excellent board. For the Pentium D, you only need DDR2-533.

[SputnikSweethrt]

The SATAII hard drive is nice

but I would get 2gb of RAM. 1gb is just not enough anymore : x

[cosmic201]

Maybe try something like: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145527
For the ram.

On an unrelated note, you sound like a great father.

[DonVito'62]

thanks for your responses do you think the SLI would be good to have for any future upgrades that may arise?
So you agree with the board choice but i should get a bigger memory ?
Do you need the SLI for better video cards?
Do you think the power source that came with the case is good enough?

sorry about all the questions but i just want to do this right.
maybe you can all suggest a shopping list of all components i need that you think will work well together and that you have had success using ?

and thank you COSMIC201 i try to be a good dad .

[Alaron]

Originally Posted by DonVito'62 do you think the SLI would be good to have for any future upgrades that may arise?

SLI is not necessary for your purposes. Its only useful if you were a hardcore gamer would is willing to spend hundreds for 1 more frame per second.

So you agree with the board choice but i should get a bigger memory ?

The Asus P5LD2 is a great choice. Save a few bucks with the non-SLI version: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131538
I think 1GB of RAM is sufficient for now. You can always add more if you feel you need it down the road.

Do you need the SLI for better video cards?

SLI is only to add a second card. Having a non-SLI board will not prevent you from buying any one new card later on.

Do you think the power source that came with the case is good enough?

No, PowMax makes pooor quality units. I would pick up an Antec, such as this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817103937

As for a list, use the P5LD2 I linked to above, the ram in cosmic's link, a Pentium D 930, the hard drive you mentioned, your case, my power supply above and a Lite-On DVDRW. Then you just need a video card.

[DonVito'62]

thanks ALARON i can now begin my shopping list she does want to get into 3d animation and if I can get my scanner to start working again i'll post one of her drawings she is really into drawing those Anime characters. 3d animation does it involve a high grade video card

[DonVito'62]

Oh yeah Alaron when i clicked on your first link for the board it shows a combo pack, should i stay away from combo bundles and go with individual components?

[Alaron]

Originally Posted by DonVito'62 Oh yeah Alaron when i clicked on your first link for the board it shows a combo pack, should i stay away from combo bundles and go with individual components?

The combo is only a way to save a few bucks on that ram. You can still purchase the board by itself. And that is the wrong ram for the CPU I suggested anyway. Go with the DDR2-533 in Cosmic's link, thats the correct speed.

Someone who knows more about 3d animation can make a card recommendation.

[Staren]

Here's a link to a thread on the Video forum where we were just talking about work station grade video cards that you miight want to look at. A mid range gaming video card would work as well, but these might have a bit of an edge depending on the 3D program.

http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=160026

[DonVito'62]

ok heres my list anything i should change ?

Asus P5LD2-VM DH 945G Pentium D/Celeron D 1066FSB LGA775 DDR2 M-ATX Motherboard w/Audio, Gigabit LAN, RAID/Serial ATA Retail





Antec SmartPower 2.0 SP-500 500W Power Supply Retail




Corsair VS2GBKIT533D2 2GB Kit DDR2-533 PC2-4200 Value Select Memory Retail





Intel® Pentium® Processor 930 3.0GHz, 800MHz FSB, Socket 775, 2x2MB Cache, Dual Core Retail





Western Digital Caviar SE WD2500JS 250GB Serial ATA II 7200RPM Hard Drive w/8MB Buffer and Serial ATA Signal Cable Bundle





Liteon SHM-165H6S 16X Dual Layer DVD±RW Drive w/LightScribe (Black)





PNY Quadro FX 540 PCI Express 128MB DDR Video Card w/HDTV-Out & DVI Retail

[glc]

No, not the VM board - that's micro ATX with onboard video. Get the vanilla P5LD2.

[DonVito'62]

ok just noticed the m which one of these ?
1) Asus P5LD2 Deluxe 945P P4/Pentium D/Celeron 1066FSB LGA775 DDR2 ATX Motherboard w/Audio, Gigabit LAN, RAID/Serial ATA

2) Asus P5LD2 945P P4/Pentium D/Celeron 1066FSB LGA775 DDR2 ATX Motherboard w/Audio, Gigabit LAN, RAID/Serial ATA

by the way thank you so much for noticing that i really appreciate it.

[glc]

Either one - whichever you prefer. The Deluxe has more features.