Like others, it's tax return time and I'm thinking of building a new PC for AM.
I've gone over most of this with a friend in the IT department but he is not into animation. (Still a good friend though)
The parts he recommends all seem to get good reviews and be fast without going into the ultra expensive range.

What I'm think of getting is:

Intel i7-920 2.66GHz processor
OCZ Gold 6GB DDR3 ram on 3 sticks
a GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD3R motherboard
XION Power Real 1100Watt power supply.
and an LG W2753V-PF 27" LCD monitor
I was planning to go with Win7 64bit for an OS.

What I'm not at all clear on is the graphics card to get.
Reviews say the monitor is best with a HDMI connection so that seems a must.
I understand AM does not use the graphics card for rendering or processing and I don't play any games on my PC's.
This is supposed to be an AM box that does not need to do a great deal more besides internet.

A critique of the plan and any suggestions on the graphics card would be appreciated.
I don't want to spend more than needed but I want HDMI and reliable.

Thanks for any feedback.

I notice that 3DPaint likes cards with more ram. I'm not sure what the effect on A:M shaded mode performance is but there must be some since it's using OpenGL to display that. Hopefully someone will pop in on that.

Unless you're planning on powering your house, I think the power supply can be scaled down a bit. I have similar (but older and less efficient) specs to you which run quite happily on a 600 w supply.

Although, some of the graphics cards can eat power. Be careful that the card isn't too long to fit in to your case. I'd personally go with the Amd cards. What case are you getting? I'd recommend the Antec P183

One thing you should NOT skimp on is the power supply.
Corsair sells good inexpensive Power Supplies
Here's a 650 Watt model for $99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16817139005

PC Power and Cooling has a long history of excellent power supplies. but they aren't cheap.
There's a great deal on a recertified 750 watt.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16817703029

Seasonic has an excellent reputation for quality and quietness
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16817151088
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For video cards, I would suggest something in the ATI 5xxx series.
You can get a 5750 for about $160
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814150465

The case I was planning is a simple aluminum mid-tower case. It's a COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 model CAC-T05-UW from Newegg.
I know others that have used this case and are really happy with it.

I've been looking around since I posted this and Newegg recommended a SAPPHIRE 100283L Radeon HD 5770 (Juniper XT) 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card $179.99.
I think this will do, should fit, and seems to be about what I am hearing suggested here.

Here's a question... does a 750 watt power supply continuously draw 750 watts?

I believe they only supply what's required. Also, the newer ones are great where don't have lots of wires......you just connect up what you need!

are you planning on running the video cards sli or crossfire? Otherwise 1100w is waaaaaay overkill for the system you've described.
But on that note... the video card... I just built my system and have everything you have listed. I went for the 850w psu and a geforce gtx 280 superclocked video card. the video card was defective and has been sent back and Im waiting for the replacement to arrive. So in the meantime I put a $45 dollar geforce 8400 pcie card in to use while I wait. And to be honest, it runs everything video card related just as well at the $350 card. Im not a huge gamer either so I have more performace then I will need with the gtx280.
My point? depening on your usage(video games?) an inexpensise card will probably give you everything you need.
bwtfdik?

edit: the computer case is the Cooler Master cm690 II. so much space inside, sliding hard racks. space behind the mother board for the wiring to go and plenty o fans to keep things cool.

Do not downgrade the power supply until you have chosen your Graphics card. Some cards draw less than 40w but some will draw 180w+.

Cheers

David

I looked at the price and options.
The power supply I found has a rebate and the extra is minimal.
I figure if I ever decide to add on or run dual graphics cards, I'm already set.
I did think I might change the card I was going for to this one: XFX HD-577A-ZNEC Radeon HD 5770 XTreme Edition 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX
This card supports OpenGL 3.2.
I don't know what release of OpenGL AM is written to take advantage of but its ready when AM is and the cost is only $10 difference.

I do appreciate everyone's input and advise.

If you're not focusing on running games, I would not worry about geting a power supply larger than 450 to 600 watts. I think I have a 450 watt power supply running my corei7 920 and an 8800GT just fine. 750W and 1000W power supply is overkill unless you are planning on hooking up 3 video cards in SLI, which AM (and most games, to be honest) would not make any use of.

You'll be better off getting the fastest cpu you can afford, a good pile of memory, and a budget graphics card in the $50 to $100 range. A Nvidia 9400 or 9800GT would do just fine, or an ATI 5700 series like you mentioned. You could get the 5670, I think that is a sub $100 card. I really would not bother with anything over $200, its overkill.

Antec, Thermaltake, Rosewill - all make good power supplies .


Robcat, are you still looking to spec out a system? Newegg is running some really good combo deals right now. Email me if you want a link.

Post it in my thread, then everyone can see it!

Parts should start arriving tomorrow.
Unfortunately work is taking me to Kentucky all day and half the evening.
It's like Christmas morning, the presents just got opened and now we have to go to grandma's all day!!!!!!!