Help Building a Gaming/3D Modeling PC for $1000

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1

Hey guys,

I wanted to get back into game development but my laptop can't seem to handle the new 3D modeling programs or Unreal Engine 4. I have a little bit of cash (around $1000) and I need help building a new PC for gaming but mainly game development. I haven't built a PC from scratch in around 8 years so my knowledge on what's hot and what's not is out of date haha.

The requirements for the new PC are (if it helps):

Video Card - NVIDIA GeForce 470 GTX or AMD Radeon 6870 HD series or higher

Processor - Quad-core Intel or AMD, 2.5 GHz or faster

Memory - 16GB

Storage - 1TB

Case - I really like the NZXT H440 Mid-Tower just because I am big fan of quiet computers (pun not intended) and it has noise dampening foam. However, I'll probably need to buy an external DVD drive. If I have to pay a little extra to get it I will.

Operating System - Windows 8.1

I have a monitor, a Razor Naga and a gaming keyboard already so I'm all set there.

I really have to no clue want else to get to make everything play nicely together so any help is appreciated.

 

2

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3H8xY

If you want to get a SSD or something, you might have to go cheaper with the case.

3

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3H8Yq

4

Thanks!

What's the benefits of an SSD? I guess I could increase my budget to $1200-1300.

5

Thanks for replying.

If I increased my budget to $1200-1300 what would you recommend changing?

6

What programs and what games will you be mainly running.  That's kind of important to know when selecting parts.

7

I would recommend switching the xeon for a fx 8320 or fx 8350. They are both slightly faster than the xeon and about $100 less. 

8

I will just be running the games I make using UE4 and games like World of Warcraft, Archeage, League of Legions and Smite. I might also try streaming my games on Twitch.

The programs/software will just be Blender and Unreal Engine 4. And perhaps one day if I can afford it, Mudbox or Zbrush.

9

....an 83xx faster than a Xeon? No.

10

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3HCEd

this would be an very nice build for $1200... should burn through all your games and programs with ease... all very good quality parts

11

+1 on this..

12

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3HEox I really like the pairing of the E3-1230 Xeon and a R9 290. That should put 99% of games to max settings and get 80fps+ on basically everything.  

13

An SSD is much, much faster than a mechanical hard drive.  Load your OS and programs onto it and the whole system will feel very quick and snappy.  Boot times will often be under 15 seconds as well.

14

Whoa thanks I think I'll be going with this. I just got to wait until my next paycheck.

Do you think I should get 2 drives? Should I install applications and the OS on the SSD and everything else on the hard drive?

 

15

Nice build, but I'm not sure which build is better, yours, or Drunken Panda's build with the E3-1240 Xeon and the R9 280. I guess I can't go wrong with either choice right?

I think I might mix what I like from both builds and create a hybrid.