'First time build' - Low Budget system for 3ds max & Autocad

I'm thinking about building a desktop computer that will be optimized for use with 3ds max and autocad. I am on a very low budget so let me no if i'm wasting my time. I don't want to spend any more than £400 on components but i will buy moniter, keyboard, mouse, speakers etc out of another budget. I have never built a pc before so wouldn't no where to start. (If there is a general tutorial of pc building floating around I will be gratefull for the link.) I don't know any technical info about what i may be buying so bare with me as i will have to take the experts word for it, which is why i'm on here...

Obviously within my budget i will need the usual:

Case,
Motherboard,
CPU,
Graphics card,
RAM,
DVD writer,
Power Supply,
Fans,
HDD,
anything else vital etc.....

I will be running either xp 64-bit or vista 64-bit so that i can use 3dsmax and autocad with more than 4GB of ram. (hoping to run 8GB or whatever you reccommend as i know ram doesn't have to be expensive.)

My main aim for this build is to have a pc with fast 3d rendering power as the one i use at work isn't fast enough for what i want to acheive in the future. (although this pc is going to be for personal use)

- heres a thread i posted a while back about the pc at work so you know what i consider "SLOW" : http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/679155

I will need to render still images/scenes with ease and hope to maybe move on to some 3d moving walthroughs of things i have modelled. I have been told about the importance of graphics cards with 3d applications although i know that the CPU and Memory are of the most important for 3ds and Acad; as realtime rendering isn't too much of a problem when mostly working in wireframe. But again, i wouldn't know haha. People have also talked about 'workstation graphics cards' (which i am oblivious to??...and surely out of my budget)

I'm not really sure what is-and-isn't a good cpu, but I would like an intel quad core cpu. My reason for this is because i have heard that multi-core processors are a must for 3d rendering.

If this sounds realistic enough could someone please put together a shopping list for me and any helpfull info.

Thanks.

 

On a low budget, you will want nothing other than a Core 2 Quad Q6600. Use Vista 64-bit, the 64-bit version of XP is nothing but trouble.

 

the only problem is the workstation card; they will easily kill your budget. you cannot skimp on the card, or else 3ds max and autocad won't render fast enough.

 

A proper workstation card costs thousands, you'll just have to make do without.

 

I can get one for £120, will the rest make up the remaining £380 or could i stretch to a more expensive cpu?

Is a Intel Xeon Quad Core E5430 2.66GHz any good? I've just seen a used one on ebay go for just over £150. I can get a Core 2 Quad Q9450 2.66GHz for £180 from there?. These are just a suggestions of course as i don't no what the rest of the setup will cost me....like i said, i havn't got a clue. Theres so many CPU's to choose from and they're all just names and numbers to me haha.

However, if someone could provide me with a list of a compatible setup to go with the core 2 quad Q6600, that would be brilliant.

 

I'm going to assume 120 is for the 6600.
If you spend 180 on a CPU you won't have enough for the rest of the stuff.

 

yes i meant the Q6600 lol, i didn't realise you had posted about the workstation.

Oh rite, sounds like i'll be going for that then. What do you think i should spend on a graphics card?

 

Depends how it'll fit in your budget really, like that I don't think more than about £75 will be possible, so perhaps an 8800GS.

 

ok, thats now added to my list. I suppose it doesn't matter how much i spen on a case does it? and HDD etc?

Also, what Motherboard will be compatible?

 

Not really, but more expensive ones are better quality. Above all make sure you pay for a decent PSU like an Antec Earthwatts, PSUs that come with cases are universally crap, unless they are the said Antec unit.

 

Sorry for my ignorance you are great help, but how do i know what power supply to use? e.g. wattage?

 

Buy an Antec Earthwatts 380W and you'll be fine.

 

will this be ok for the uk?

 

Yes, I too am in the UK.

 

oh rite, its just it seems there are alot of american users on here lol. Could you reccommend a motherboard please mate?

 

This is a good low cost board:
http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=866078

 

brilliant mate! Thanks for your help, I think i'll get ordering it tomorrow. Does the setup sound ok to you?

 

..only problem is, it will only take 4GB of RAM.

 

http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=643237
http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=866078
http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=632574
http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=719127
http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=561030
http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=816050
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/130947

Oh, and on a budget of £400, 8GB of RAM isn't really realistic.
If you do want that option later, then get this:
http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=770368

 

Yeh I see what you mean, well I will probably end up adding the next 4GB shortly after anyway.

I really appreciate your help mate, you've been spot on.